PURPOSE: To perform recording with little tailing using no ink ribbon, thermosensitive paper, etc., by direct thermal recording using an ink comprising a colorant, hot-melt or heat softening material and volatile substance.

CONSTITUTION: The objective ink can be obtained by formulating (A) pref. 1W40wt.% of a colorant such as carbon black, (B) pref. 70W75wt.% of a hot- melt or heat softening material such as natural or synthetic wax resin and (C) pref. 22W28wt.% of a volatile substance such as methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexane, butyl acetate or ethyl cellosolve. This ink is heated according to the recorded information to melt or soften to effect attaching on a material to be recorded along with volatilizing the component C, thus enhancing the hardness or viscosity of the ink.