A thermal transfer recording medium having at least one peel layer on a support and at least one heat-softening layer on the peel layer, and containing a coloring material in at least one layer of the peel layer and heat-softening layer, wherein;(i) the peel layer adjacent to the support contains a polyoxyethylene compound;(ii) at least one heat-softening layer contains an ionomer;(iii) at least one layer of the heat-softening layer has a breaking extension in the range of 70 to 200 % at 27.degree. C.; or(iv) at least one substantially colorless protective layer constituting an outermost layer is laminated on the heat-softening layer.A method for preparing a thermal transfer recording medium, which comprises providing at least one peel layer on a support by hot-melt coating, and forming at least one heat-softening layer on the peel layer by water base coating.