PURPOSE: To obtain a thermal head capable of giving high-quality picture recording by effectively controlling resistance values and heat distribution by a method in which a heating element is simplified by using electrode material and made closely touchable to a recording paper wholly.

CONSTITUTION: A recording element consisting of electrodes 11 and 12 and a heating element 15 is made up by printing a thick film of the same electrode metal at one time by using a pattern mask including the resistor pattern of the electrodes 11 and 12 and the heating element 15. The electrodes 11 and 12 are continued with the heating element 15 on a jointless smooth face, and therefore, the heating element 15 can be closely contacted with a thermal recording paper.