In the improved thermal recording method in which image data supplied from an image data supply source are subjected to specified image processing jobs and in which a thermal head is driven in accordance with the processed image data so as to perform thermal recording, image processing jobs are performed in a specified order such that sharpness correction and tone correction are followed by shading correction and correction of resistance values which, in turn are followed by compensation for temperature elevation, provided that calculation treatment of respective values of the image data for the compensation for temperature elevation is performed either prior to or after either one of the corrections that are performed subsequent to the tone correction. It is preferred that black ratio correction and/or load variation correction are also performed after the shading correction and the correction of resistance values, and prior to the compensation for temperature elevation. The improved thermal recording apparatus is used to carry out the thermal recording method described above. According to these apparatus and method, high quality images can be recorded consistently.