Patent ID: 7517073

Claim:
A liquid composition for use in an image recording method comprising the steps of: applying an ink containing a colorant in a dissolved state or a dispersed state to a recording medium; and applying to the recording medium a liquid composition that destabilizes the dissolved state or the dispersed state of the colorant in the ink by coming into contact with the ink, the liquid composition comprising at least a polyvalent metal ion, water, a water-soluble organic compound 1, and a water-soluble organic compound 2, wherein a content X (mass %) of the water-soluble organic compound 1 is 15 mass % or more with respect to a total amount of the liquid composition, wherein the content X (mass %) of the water-soluble organic compound 1 with respect to the total amount of the liquid composition and a content Y (mass %) of the water-soluble organic compound 2 with respect to the total amount of the liquid composition satisfy the following relationship: 0< Y/X ≦0.9 wherein the water-soluble organic compound 1 is a water-retentive, water-soluble organic compound having a difference between a water retention ability in an environment of a temperature of 23° C. and a humidity of 45% and a water retention ability in an environment of a temperature of 30° C. and a humidity of 80% of 36% or less, wherein the water-soluble organic compound 1 is selected from the group consisting of: a polyethylene glycol, a polyhydric alcohol compound that is trihydric, and N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-urea, wherein the water-soluble organic compound 2 is a water-soluble organic compound other than the colorant or the water-soluble organic compound 1, wherein the polyvalent metal ion in the liquid composition is a divalent metal ion.