A heat transfer recording sheet comprising a support layer; an adhesive layer; and at least one ink receiving layer comprising a microporous polymeric film including at least one thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer may be blended with a hydrophilic melt additive prior to extrusion and stretching or an already extruded and stretched microporous polymeric film may be coated with an additional layer of inorganic pigment and binder. The recording sheet containing a printed image is transferred onto target substrates such as paper and textiles.