PURPOSE: To obtain recordings of high resolution and without faults and unevenness by a method in which the thickness of ink layer coated on a base film is detected and according to the detected value, a thermal head is controlled in an ink-film regeneration type heat-sensitive transfer recorder.

CONSTITUTION: On a base film 2 recorded, the ink 17 of an ink tank 7 is coated and the ink layer 3 is regenerated. The thickness of the regenerated ink layer 3 is detected by a detector 21 consisting of a luminous element 10 and a light receiving element 20. When the thickness of the ink layer 3 exceeds a standard value, the intensity of light coming into the light receiving element 20 is weakened and a thickness signal (a) of a greater voltage than a standard value is put in a function generator 12. Whereupon, pulse width control signal (b) sent out of the function generator 12 is also varied, the width of pulse signal (e) from a monostable multi-vibrator 15 becomes greater, and the time of electrification to a heating element 27 becomes longer than a given value. On the contrary, when the thickness of the ink layer 3 is smaller than a standard value, the time of electrification to the heating element 27 becomes shorter.