a process for multi - gradation thermal transfer recording which provides a receptor with an image of multi - gradation , the process comprising placing on the receptor a heat - sensitive transfer material comprised of a substrate film , an adhesive layer on one surface of the substrate film , a heat - melting ink layer thereon and a transfer - control layer formed on the heat - melting ink layer , and charging the heat - sensitive transfer material with various levels of energy depending upon image signals from the substrate side to allow the heat - melting ink of the heat - melting ink layer to transfer to the receptor in an amount that corresponds to the various levels of energy , and a multi - gradation heat - sensitive transfer material to be used in the above process .