Patent ID: 7537329

Claim:
An image recording method of recording an image by applying, to a recording medium, (a) an ink composition comprising a coloring material in a dispersed state and (b) a reaction liquid comprising (1) at least one polyvalent metal compound selected from the group consisting of zirconium nitrate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium chloride, zirconium acetate, polyaluminum hydroxide, and polyaluminum chloride, and (2) a divalent or trivalent metal ion or a salt thereof, wherein the content of the at least one polyvalent metal compound selected from the group consisting of zirconium nitrate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium chloride, zirconium acetate, polyaluminum hydroxide, and polyaluminum chloride in the reaction liquid is 0.01 mass % or more and 30.0 mass % or less, in terms of metal atoms, wherein the image recording method comprises the steps of: (i) applying the ink composition to the recording medium by means of an ink-jet method; and (ii) applying the reaction liquid to the recording medium, and wherein the steps (i) and (ii) are performed in such a manner that the ink composition and the reaction liquid, each in a liquid state, contact with each other on the recording medium, wherein the ink composition further comprises a nonionic polymer wherein the at least one polyvalent metal compound selected from the group consisting of zirconium nitrate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium chloride, zirconium acetate, polyaluminum hydroxide, and polyaluminum chloride is zirconium acetate, and wherein the salt of the divalent or trivalent metal ion is calcium nitrate tetrahydrate.