Recording method

Abstract

To provide a recording method excellent in productivity of a recorded material, and excellent in the image quality of an image of the obtained recorded material.SOLUTION: A recording method comprising an adhesion step of adhering an ink composition to a recording medium, wherein the recording medium is a low-absorbent recording medium or a non-absorbent recording medium, and the adhesion step is performed by scanning by ejecting the ink composition from the inkjet head to be adhered to the recording medium while moving a relative position between the inkjet head and the recording medium, the number of times of performing the scanning to the same region of the recording medium is 7 times or less, the ink composition is a water-based ink containing a coloring material and a silicone-based surfactant A, and the silicone-based surfactant A has a maximum peak in a range of 3,000 to 20,000 in a range of molecular weight of 300 or more in a molecular weight distribution in gel permeation chromatography.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording method. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0003] The inkjet method is capable of forming high-quality images on a recording medium, and thus various technical developments have been made in the past. For example, not only the development of recording devices using the inkjet method but also the development of compositions to be used in such devices has been active. Furthermore, a wide range of studies have been made on combinations of recording devices, ink compositions, treatment liquids, recording media, etc., or recording methods using these.

[0003] When recording an image on a low-absorption or non-absorption recording medium by an inkjet method, ink dots that have adhered to the recording medium may not be absorbed by the recording medium and remain there for a while. In such cases, the ink dots may gather together, easily causing aggregation unevenness (bleed unevenness). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a recording method that reduces dot gathering by increasing the number of passes in inkjet recording, distributing ink dots over multiple passes and adhering them to the recording medium, and drying the ink between passes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-162840 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the number of passes is increased, although the image quality tends to improve, the image recording speed decreases, and the productivity of the recorded product becomes insufficient. Therefore, a recording method that has good productivity for the recorded product and good image quality of the obtained recorded product is desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the recording method according to the present invention is to A recording method comprising a deposition step of depositing an ink composition onto a recording medium, the recording medium is a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbency recording medium, the depositing step is performed by scanning the ink composition onto the recording medium while moving the relative positions of the inkjet head and the recording medium, and ejecting the ink composition from the inkjet head to deposit it onto the recording medium; the number of times the scanning is performed on the same area of ​​the recording medium is 7 or less; the ink composition is a water-based ink containing a colorant and a silicone-based surfactant A, The silicone surfactant A has a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, with the maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more being in the range of 3,000 to 20,000. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of an inkjet recording apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the periphery of a carriage in an example of an inkjet recording apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following describes embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and includes various modified forms that are implemented within the scope of the present invention. Note that not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential configurations of the present invention.

[0009] In this specification, "(meth)acrylic" refers to acrylic or methacrylic, and "(meth)acrylate" refers to acrylate or methacrylate.

[0010] 1. Recording method The recording method of this embodiment includes an application step of applying the ink composition to a recording medium.

[0011] 1.1.Attachment process The deposition step is performed by scanning, ejecting the ink composition from the inkjet head and depositing it on the recording medium while moving the relative positions of the inkjet head and the recording medium, and the number of times that scanning is performed on the same area of ​​the recording medium is 7 or less. Below, the recording medium, the ink composition, and the inkjet recording device (inkjet head) will be described, and then the scanning will be described.

[0012] 1.1.1. Recording medium The recording medium on which an image is formed by the recording method according to this embodiment includes a low liquid absorbent recording medium such as printing paper, and a non-liquid absorbent recording medium such as metal, glass, film, or polymer.

[0013] The excellent effects of the recording method of this embodiment are particularly noticeable when recording an image on a recording medium that is low in liquid absorbency or non-liquid absorbent, that is, the recording method of this embodiment makes it possible to form a high-quality image even on a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbent recording medium that is relatively prone to aggregation unevenness.

[0014] A recording medium with low liquid absorption or no liquid absorption refers to a recording medium that does not absorb liquid at all or absorbs almost no liquid. Quantitatively, a recording medium with low liquid absorption or no liquid absorption is one that absorbs liquid within 30 msec from the start of contact in the Bristow method. 1 / 2 Water absorption up to 10mL / m 2The Bristow method refers to a recording medium that is categorized as follows: The Bristow method is a widely used method for measuring the amount of liquid absorbed in a short period of time, and is also adopted by the Japan Pulp and Paper Technical Association (JAPAN TAPPI). Details of the test method are described in Standard No. 51 "Paper and Paperboard - Liquid Absorbency Test Method - Bristow Method" of the "JAPAN TAPPI Paper and Pulp Test Method 2000 Edition." In contrast, a liquid-absorbent recording medium refers to a recording medium that does not fall under the category of non-absorbent or low-absorbent. In this specification, low-absorbent and non-absorbent may be simply referred to as low-absorbent and non-absorbent.

[0015] Examples of non-liquid-absorbent recording media include plastic films and plates such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metal plates such as iron, silver, copper, and aluminum, metal plates and plastic films made by vapor deposition of these metals, and alloy plates such as stainless steel and brass. Other examples include substrates such as paper coated with plastic, substrates such as paper with plastic film adhered to them, and plastic films without an absorption layer (receptor layer). Examples of plastics include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

[0016] Further, examples of recording media with low liquid absorption include recording media having a coating layer (receiving layer) on the surface for receiving liquid. For example, a recording medium having a paper substrate includes printing paper, and a recording medium having a plastic film substrate includes polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., with a hydrophilic polymer or the like coated on the surface, and silica, titanium, etc. particles coated together with a binder.

[0017] The recording medium may be colorless and transparent, semi-transparent, colored and transparent, chromatic and opaque, achromatic and opaque, etc. The recording medium itself may be colored, semi-transparent, or transparent.

[0018] 1.1.2. Ink composition The ink composition is a water-based ink composition containing a colorant, a predetermined silicone surfactant A, and water, and may contain an organic solvent, resin particles, wax, other surfactants, etc. as necessary. In this specification, "ink composition" may be abbreviated as "ink." In this specification, "water-based ink" refers to an ink containing water as the main solvent component, and "inkjet ink" refers to an ink that can be ejected from an inkjet head using an inkjet method and used for recording.

[0019] (1) Coloring materials The inkjet ink composition used in the recording method according to this embodiment contains a coloring material.

[0020] As the coloring material, either a pigment or a dye can be used, and examples of usable pigments include inorganic pigments such as carbon black and titanium white, organic pigments, oil-soluble dyes, acid dyes, direct dyes, reactive dyes, basic dyes, disperse dyes, and sublimation dyes. The ink composition preferably contains a pigment, and the pigment may be dispersed in a dispersing resin.

[0021] <Pigments> Examples of inorganic pigments that can be used include carbon blacks (CI Pigment Black 7) such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, and channel black, iron oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and silica.

[0022] Examples of organic pigments include quinacridone pigments, quinacridonequinone pigments, dioxazine pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, anthrapyrimidine pigments, anthanthrone pigments, indanthrone pigments, flavanthrone pigments, perylene pigments, diketopyrrolopyrrole pigments, perinone pigments, quinophthalone pigments, anthraquinone pigments, thioindigo pigments, benzimidazolone pigments, isoindolinone pigments, azomethine pigments, and azo pigments.

[0023] Specific examples of the organic pigment used in the ink composition include the following.

[0024] Examples of cyan pigments include CI Pigment Blue 1, 2, 3, 15:3, 15:4, 15:34, 16, 22, 60, etc.; CI Vat Blue 4, 60, etc., and preferably, one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group consisting of CI Pigment Blue 15:3, 15:4, and 60 can be exemplified.

[0025] Examples of magenta pigments include CI Pigment Red 5, 7, 12, 48(Ca), 48(Mn), 57(Ca), 57:1, 112, 122, 123, 168, 184, 202, and CI Pigment Violet 19. Preferred examples include one or a mixture of two or more pigments selected from the group consisting of CI Pigment Red 122, 202, and 209, and CI Pigment Violet 19.

[0026] Examples of yellow pigments include CI Pigment Yellow 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14C, 16, 17, 73, 74, 75, 83, 93, 95, 97, 98, 119, 110, 114, 128, 129, 138, 150, 151, 154, 155, 180, and 185. Preferred examples include one or a mixture of two or more selected from the group consisting of CI Pigment Yellow 74, 109, 110, 128, 138, 150, and 180.

[0027] Pigments of other colors can also be used, such as orange pigments and green pigments.

[0028] The pigments exemplified above are examples of suitable pigments, but are not limited to these. These pigments may be used alone or in combination with a dye.

[0029] The pigment may be dispersed using a dispersant selected from a water-soluble resin, a surfactant, etc., or may be dispersed as a self-dispersing pigment by oxidizing or sulfonating the pigment surface with ozone, hypochlorous acid, fuming sulfuric acid, etc. Surfactants that can be used as dispersants may also be other surfactants that may be contained in the ink composition described below.

[0030] The dye is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include acid dyes, basic dyes, direct dyes, reactive dyes, and disperse dyes. Specific examples of the dye include CI Acid Yellow 17, 23, 42, 44, 79, and 142, CI Acid Red 52, 80, 82, 249, 254, and 289, CI Acid Blue 9, 45, and 249, CI Acid Black 1, 2, 24, and 94, CI Food Black 1 and 2, and CI Direct Yellow 1, 12, 24, 33, 50, 55, 58, 86, 132, 142, 144, and 173. , CI Direct Red 1, 4, 9, 80, 81, 132, 225, 227, CI Direct Blue 1, 2, 15, 71, 86, 87, 98, 165, 199, 202, CI Direct Black 19, 38, 51, 71, 154, 168, 171, 195, CI Reactive Red 14, 32, 55, 79, 141, 249, CI Reactive Black 3, 4, 35. The above dyes may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0031] The content of the colorant relative to the total amount of the ink composition is preferably 0.5% by mass to 10% by mass, more preferably 1.0% by mass to 8.0% by mass, and even more preferably 2.0% by mass to 6.0% by mass. Furthermore, 2.5% by mass to 5.0% by mass is preferred. By keeping the content of the colorant within the above range, ejection stability in the inkjet method tends to be further improved.

[0032] (2) Surfactants The ink composition contains a predetermined silicone surfactant A, and may contain a silicone surfactant B described below or other surfactants as needed.

[0033] (2-1) Silicone surfactant A Silicone surfactant A has, in the molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), a maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more in the molecular weight range of 3,000 to 20,000. By including such silicone surfactant A, the viscosity of the ink composition tends to increase as the solvent dries on the recording medium, suppressing coalescence of multiple dots and mixing between dots, thereby suppressing image unevenness (uneven image quality) and improving the visibility and optical density of the image.

[0034] The maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more of silicone surfactant A is a molecular weight of 3,000 to 20,000, preferably a molecular weight of 4,000 to 15,000, and more preferably a molecular weight of 5,000 to 10,000. When the maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more is a molecular weight of 3,000 or more, coalescence and mixing of dots of the ink composition are suppressed, and the visibility and optical density of the image tend to be further improved. Furthermore, when the maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more is a molecular weight of 20,000 or less, the ejection stability tends to be further improved.

[0035] The maximum peak of silicone surfactant A in the molecular weight range of 300 or more can be identified from a molecular weight distribution chart obtained by GPC, where the horizontal axis is the logarithm of molecular weight M (LogM) and the vertical axis is the differential value of concentration fraction (dw / d(LogM)). Here, the "maximum peak" refers to the largest peak (mountain) in the molecular weight range of 300 or more. Furthermore, the "maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more" means that peaks with molecular weights less than 300 are ignored. In other words, if there is a maximum peak in the molecular weight range of less than 300, Although there may be a peak, it is the maximum peak when limited to the range of molecular weights of 300 or more.

[0036] Although not particularly limited, for example, the measurement conditions for GPC measurement in this embodiment can be the conditions described in the Examples, and the molecular weight can be determined using standard polystyrene.

[0037] The silicone surfactant A is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polysiloxane compounds such as dimethylsiloxane, methylphenylsiloxane, and diphenylsiloxane. These polysiloxane compounds may also be modified organosiloxanes in which terminal or side chain groups have been modified with polyether groups, etc. These silicone surfactants A may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0038] Among these, modified organosiloxanes are preferred as the silicone surfactant A, and polyether-modified organosiloxanes are more preferred. Examples of such polyether-modified organosiloxanes include modified organosiloxanes in which the terminals are modified with polyether groups, as shown in general formula (1), and modified organosiloxanes in which the side chains are modified with polyether groups, as shown in general formula (3). Use of such silicone surfactant A further suppresses the coalescence and mixing of dots in the ink composition. This tends to increase the density of the ink composition image and further improve the optical density. In particular, when the ink composition contains silicone surfactant B, which will be described later, excellent effects can be achieved even when the dots of the ink composition are more likely to coalesce and mix. It is presumed that silicone surfactant A has a relatively high molecular weight, which can suppress the coalescence and mixing of dots in the ink composition, but this is not the only reason.

[0039] [ka]

[0040] (In general formula (1), R 1 each independently represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a single bond; X 1 each independently represents a polyether group represented by the following general formula (2), and a represents an integer of 10 or more and 80 or less.

[0041] [ka]

[0042] (In general formula (2), R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a (meth)acrylic group; EO represents an ethylene oxide group; PO represents a propylene oxide group; the order of EO and PO is random; b represents an integer of 0 or greater; c represents an integer of 0 or greater; and b+c is 1 or greater.

[0043] [ka]

[0044] (In general formula (3), R 3 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X 2 each independently represents a polyether group represented by the following general formula (4), d and e represent an integer of 1 or more, and d+e is 2 or more and 50 or less.

[0045] [ka]

[0046] (In general formula (4), R 4 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a single bond, and R 5 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, EO represents an ethylene oxide group, PO represents a propylene oxide group, the order of EO and PO is random, f represents an integer of 0 or greater, g represents an integer of 0 or greater, and f+g is 1 or greater.

[0047] R 1 , R 3 , and R 4 The alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms represented by the formula (R) is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a propylene group, a butylene group, a pentylene group, and a hexylene group. 1 , R 4 is preferably an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0048] R 2 and R 5 The alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms represented by the formula (I) is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, a neopentyl group, and an n-hexyl group.

[0049] R 1 , R 4 may be a single bond. A single bond is 1 , R 4 This indicates that the atom on the right and the atom on the left are directly connected by a single bond.

[0050] In general formulas (1) and (2), a is an integer of 10 to 80, preferably an integer of 20 to 70, and more preferably an integer of 30 to 60. Furthermore, b is an integer of 0 or more, preferably 1 or more, more preferably 2 to 30, and more preferably 5 to 20. Furthermore, c is an integer of 0 or more, preferably 0 to 30, and more preferably 0 to 20. Furthermore, b+c is an integer of 1 or more, preferably 1 to 60, more preferably 2 to 40, and even more preferably 5 to 20.

[0051] In general formulas (3) and (4), d and e each represent an integer of 1 or greater, preferably 5 to 40, and more preferably 10 to 20. d+e represents an integer of 2 to 50, preferably 5 to 40, and more preferably 10 to 30. f represents an integer of 0 or greater, preferably 1 or greater, preferably 2 to 30, and more preferably 5 to 20. g represents an integer of 0 or greater, preferably 0 to 30, and more preferably 0 to 20. f+g represents an integer of 1 or greater, preferably 1 to 60, more preferably 2 to 40, and even more preferably 5 to 20.

[0052] The content of silicone surfactant A is preferably 0.05% by mass or more, based on the total amount of the ink composition. On the other hand, it is preferably 5% by mass or less. Furthermore, it is preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 4% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, even more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 1.2% by mass or less, more preferably 0.2% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.4% by mass or more and 0.6% by mass or less. Alternatively, it is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 0.2% by mass or less. By keeping the content of silicone surfactant A within the above range, coalescence and mixing of dots of the ink composition are further suppressed, and the visibility, optical density, and abrasion resistance of the image tend to be further improved.

[0053] Among the silicone surfactants A, modified organosiloxanes represented by general formula (1), the terminals of which are modified with polyether groups, are preferred because they provide superior image visibility and suppression of aggregation unevenness.

[0054] (2-2) Silicone surfactant B The ink composition may further contain, and preferably contains, one or more types of silicone surfactant B described below, which tends to further improve the density of the image.

[0055] The silicone surfactant B is one that, in the molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, does not have a maximum peak at a molecular weight of 300 or more at a molecular weight of 3,000 or more, and has an HLB value (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) of 10.5 or less according to the Griffin method. By including such a silicone surfactant B, the wettability of the ink composition to a recording medium can be further improved, and the hiding power can be improved. As a result, the visibility and optical density of images formed with the ink composition can be further improved.

[0056] Silicone surfactant B does not have a maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more at a molecular weight of 3,000 or more; specifically, it does not have a peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more, or even if it has a peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more, the maximum peak is less than 3,000. By using a silicone surfactant B that satisfies the above molecular weight conditions, the wettability of the ink composition to the recording medium is further improved, the recording medium surface can be sufficiently covered with the ink composition, and the visibility of the image is further improved. In particular, when the recording medium is a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbency recording medium, the wettability tends to be further improved. On the other hand, silicone surfactant B can also relatively improve the abrasion resistance of the image compared to silicone surfactant A.

[0057] The maximum peak of silicone surfactant B in the molecular weight range of 300 or more can be measured by the same method as for silicone surfactant A.

[0058] The silicone surfactant B has an HLB value of 10.5 or less, preferably 2.0 or more and 10.3 or less, more preferably 3.0 or more and 10.1 or less, and even more preferably 4.0 or more and 10.0 or less. An HLB value of 10.5 or less further improves the wettability of the ink composition to a recording medium, thereby improving the visibility of the image. An HLB value of 2.0 or more further improves the optical density of the resulting image, and tends to further reduce aggregation unevenness.

[0059] Here, the HLB value is a value that represents the degree of affinity of a surfactant for water and oil. By setting the HLB value within the above range, it is possible to improve the wettability of ink droplets when they land on a highly hydrophobic, poorly absorbent substrate. By improving the wettability, white spots and color bleeding on the substrate are suppressed, which tends to further improve the visibility of the image. The HLB value in this embodiment is defined and calculated using the Griffin method.

[0060] The silicone surfactant B is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polysiloxane compounds such as dimethylsiloxane, methylphenylsiloxane, and diphenylsiloxane. In particular, examples of polysiloxane compounds include modified organosiloxanes in which terminal or side chain groups are modified with polyether groups or the like. These silicone surfactants B may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0061] Examples of silicone surfactant B include those in the above general formula (1) where a is smaller than that of silicone surfactant A contained in the ink composition, or those in the above general formula (3) where d+e is smaller than that of silicone surfactant A contained in the ink composition. Silicone surfactant B has a relatively smaller molecular weight than silicone surfactant A contained in the ink composition.

[0062] The silicone surfactant B may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of the silicone surfactant B is preferably 0.05% by mass or more relative to the total amount of the ink composition. It is also preferably 5.0% by mass or less. It is further preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.6% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less. Alternatively, it is preferably 0.4% by mass or more and 1.0% by mass or less.

[0063] When the content of silicone surfactant B is within the above range, the visibility of the image tends to be further improved. Note that silicone surfactant B has the property of evaporating relatively easily compared to silicone surfactant A, and therefore the rub resistance of the resulting image tends to be excellent. Therefore, it is more preferable that the content of silicone surfactant B is greater than the content of silicone surfactant A.

[0064] (2-3) Other surfactants The ink composition may contain other surfactants. Examples of other surfactants include, but are not limited to, acetylene glycol surfactants, fluorine-based surfactants, and silicone surfactants other than the silicone surfactants A and B. The other surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0065] The acetylene glycol surfactant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include alkylene oxide adducts of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol and 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, and alkylene oxide adducts of 2,4-dimethyl-5-decyne-4-ol and 2,4-dimethyl-5-decyne-4-ol.

[0066] The fluorine-based surfactant is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, perfluoroalkyl phosphates, perfluoroalkyl ethylene oxide adducts, perfluoroalkyl betaines, and perfluoroalkyl amine oxide compounds.

[0067] The other silicone surfactants are not particularly limited as long as they do not satisfy the requirements of silicone surfactants A and B, and examples thereof include polysiloxane compounds, polyether-modified organosiloxanes, etc. Examples of other silicone surfactants include SAG503A, BYK-348, etc.

[0068] The content of other surfactants is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.6% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, relative to the total amount of the ink composition.

[0069] It is more preferable that the total content of surfactants in the ink composition, regardless of type, is 2.0 mass % or less relative to the total amount of the ink composition. In this way, images of even better image quality can be obtained. It is also preferable that the total content of silicone surfactants in the ink composition be within the above range.

[0070] (3)Water The ink composition is a water-based ink and contains water. A water-based ink is an ink that contains at least water as a main solvent component. The water content is preferably 40% by mass or more relative to the total amount of the ink composition. More preferably, it is 40% by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, and even more preferably, it is 50% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less. Furthermore, it is preferably 55% by mass or more and 85% by mass or less, more preferably, it is 60% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and even more preferably, it is 65% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less.

[0071] (4) Organic solvents The ink composition may contain an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent include, but are not limited to, alcohols, alkane polyols, alkylene glycol ethers, esters, amides, sulfur-containing solvents, and cyclic ethers. The alkane polyols may contain alkane diols.

[0072] Examples of alcohols include compounds in which one hydrogen atom of an alkane has been substituted with a hydroxyl group. The alkane preferably has 10 or less carbon atoms, more preferably 6 or less, and even more preferably 3 or less. The alkane has 1 or more carbon atoms, preferably 2 or more. The alkane may be linear or branched. Examples of alcohols include methanol, ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, iso-butanol, n-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, and tert-pentanol.

[0073] Examples of alkanediols include compounds in which an alkane is substituted with two hydroxyl groups. Examples of alkanediols include ethylene glycol (also known as ethane-1,2-diol), propylene glycol (also known as propane-1,2-diol), 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,2-octanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,3-butylene glycol (also known as 1,3-butanediol), 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2,4-pentanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and 3-methyl-1,3 1,6-hexanediol, 2-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol (also known as 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol), pinacol (also known as 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol), and the like.

[0074] The ink composition more preferably contains, as the organic solvent, a diol at both ends having 5 or less carbon atoms among the above diols. By selecting such a diol at both ends, images of even better quality can be obtained.

[0075] Examples of alkane polyols include alkane diols, condensates in which two or more molecules of alkane diols are intermolecularly condensed via the hydroxyl groups, and alkanes having three or more hydroxyl groups. The aforementioned alkane diols are also a type of alkane polyol. Alkane polyols have two or more hydroxyl groups in their molecules.

[0076] Examples of condensates in which two or more molecules of alkanediols are intermolecularly condensed via the hydroxyl groups thereof include dialkylene glycols such as diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, and trialkylene glycols such as triethylene glycol and tripropylene glycol.

[0077] Alkanes with three or more hydroxyl groups are compounds with three or more hydroxyl groups that have an alkane or a polyol with a polyether structure as the backbone. Examples include alkanes or polyols with a polyether structure that are substituted with three or more hydroxyl groups.

[0078] Examples of alkanes having three or more hydroxyl groups include glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1,2,5-hexanetriol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, pentaerythritol, and polyoxypropylenetriol.

[0079] Examples of alkylene glycol ethers include those in which one or more hydroxyl groups of the above-mentioned alkane polyols have been etherified. Examples include alkylene glycol monoethers in which one hydroxyl group has been etherified, and alkylene glycol diethers in which two hydroxyl groups have been etherified. Alkylene glycol monoethers are more preferred. The alkylene glycol ethers preferably have one or no hydroxyl groups in the molecule.

[0080] Examples of etherification include alkyl ethers and aryl ethers, with alkyl ethers being preferred. The number of carbon atoms in the ether moiety of the etherification, i.e., the number of carbon atoms in the terminal alkoxy group, is preferably 1 to 8, more preferably 1 to 4. Further, it is preferably 1 to 3, more preferably 1 or 2, and particularly preferably 1.

[0081] The number of carbon atoms in the alkylene glycol moiety of the alkylene glycol ethers is preferably 2 or more and 6 or less, more preferably 3 to 5. The number of repetitions of the alkylene glycol moiety is preferably 1 or more and 5 or less, further preferably 1 to 3, more preferably 1 or 2, and particularly preferably 1.

[0082] Examples of alkylene glycol ethers include alkylene glycol monoethers and alkylene glycol diethers, with alkylene glycol monoethers being more preferred. Specific examples include 2-methoxyethanol (also known as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether), 2-ethoxyethanol (also known as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether), ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as butyl triglycol), tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monoethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 1-methoxy-2-propanol (also known as propylene glycol 1-monomethyl ether), 2-methoxypropanol (also known as propylene glycol 2-monomethyl ether) 1-ethoxyethanol, ... alkylene glycol monoethers such as 2-propanol (also known as propylene glycol monoethyl ether), propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, 3-methoxy-1-propanol (also known as 1,3-propanediol monomethyl ether), 1-methoxy-2-butanol (also known as 1,2-butanediol 1-monomethyl ether), 2-methoxy-1-butanol, 3-methoxy-1-butanol (also known as 1,3-butanediol 3-monomethyl ether), 4-methoxy-1-butanol (also known as 1,4-butanediol monomethyl ether), and 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol; and Examples of alkylene glycol diethers include ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl butyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol diethyl ether, triethylene glycol dibutyl ether, triethylene glycol methyl butyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol diethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dibutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, propylene glycol diethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol diethyl ether, and tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether.

[0083] Examples of the esters include acyclic esters and cyclic esters.

[0084] Examples of the acyclic esters include glycol monoacetates such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and methoxybutyl acetate; Examples of glycol diesters include ethylene glycol diacetate, diethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dipropylene glycol diacetate, ethylene glycol acetate propionate, ethylene glycol acetate butyrate, diethylene glycol acetate butyrate, diethylene glycol acetate propionate, diethylene glycol acetate butyrate, propylene glycol acetate propionate, propylene glycol acetate butyrate, dipropylene glycol acetate butyrate, and dipropylene glycol acetate propionate.

[0085] Examples of cyclic esters include cyclic esters (lactones) such as β-propiolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, ε-caprolactone, β-butyrolactone, β-valerolactone, γ-valerolactone, β-hexanolactone, γ-hexanolactone, δ-hexanolactone, β-heptanolactone, γ-heptanolactone, δ-heptanolactone, ε-heptanolactone, γ-octanolactone, δ-octanolactone, ε-octanolactone, δ-nonalactone, ε-nonalactone, and ε-decanolactone, and compounds in which the hydrogen atom of the methylene group adjacent to the carbonyl group of these cyclic esters is substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0086] Examples of the amides include cyclic amides and non-cyclic amides. Examples of the non-cyclic amides include alkoxyalkyl amides.

[0087] Examples of cyclic amides include lactams, such as pyrrolidones such as 2-pyrrolidone (normal boiling point 245° C.), 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1-propyl-2-pyrrolidone, and 1-butyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2-piperidone, ε-caprolactam, N-methyl-ε-caprolactam, N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, β-propiolactam, ω-heptalactam, and succinimide. Among these, 2-pyrrolidone and ε-caprolactam are particularly preferred.

[0088] Examples of the acyclic amides include 3-methoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-methoxy-N,N-diethylpropionamide, 3-methoxy-N,N-methylethylpropionamide, 3-ethoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-ethoxy-N,N-diethylpropionamide, 3-ethoxy-N,N-methylethylpropionamide, 3-n-butoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-n-butoxy-N,N-diethylpropionamide, 3-n-butoxy-N,N-methylethylpropionamide, 3-n-propoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-n-propoxy-N,N-diethylpropionamide, 3-n-propoxy-N,N-methylethylpropionamide, 3-iso-propoxy- Examples include alkoxyalkylamides such as N,N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-iso-propoxy-N,N-diethylpropionamide, 3-iso-propoxy-N,N-methylethylpropionamide, 3-tert-butoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide, 3-tert-butoxy-N,N-diethylpropionamide, and 3-tert-butoxy-N,N-methylethylpropionamide; N,N-dimethylacetoacetamide, N,N-diethylacetoacetamide, N-methylacetoacetamide, N,N-dimethylisobutyric acid amide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-diethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylpropionamide.

[0089] Examples of sulfur-containing solvents include sulfoxides and sulfones. Examples of sulfoxides include acyclic sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide, and cyclic sulfoxides such as tetramethylene sulfoxide. Examples of sulfones include cyclic sulfones such as 3-methyl sulfolane and sulfolane, and acyclic sulfones such as ethyl isopropyl sulfone, ethyl methyl sulfone, and dimethyl sulfone.

[0090] Examples of cyclic ethers include tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, dimethylisosorbide, 3-methyl-3-oxetanemethanol, 3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol, 2-hydroxymethyloxetane, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, glycerol formal, solketal, 1,4-dioxane-2,3-diol, and dihydrolevoglucosenone.

[0091] These organic solvents may be used in combination of two or more.

[0092] The normal boiling point of the organic solvent is preferably 300° C. or lower, more preferably 280° C. or lower, more preferably 270° C. or lower, more preferably 250° C. or lower, even more preferably 210° C. or lower, and particularly preferably 190° C. or lower. The lower limit of the normal boiling point of the organic solvent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 100° C. or higher, more preferably 110° C. or higher, more preferably 120° C. or higher, and even more preferably 150° C. or higher.

[0093] Furthermore, if the organic solvent contains 30.0% by mass or less of a compound having a normal boiling point of 250° C. or less, the drying properties of the image formed by the ink composition can be further improved. Examples of organic solvents having a standard boiling point of 250°C or less include 2-pyrrolidone (abbreviation: 2P, standard boiling point: 245°C, classification: amides, properties at 25°C: liquid), dimethyl sulfoxide (abbreviation: DMSO, standard boiling point: 188°C, classification: sulfur-containing solvents, properties at 25°C: liquid), 3-ethyl-3-oxetanemethanol (abbreviation: EOXM, standard boiling point: 220°C, classification: cyclic ethers, properties at 25°C: liquid), 1,2-hexanediol (abbreviation: 1,2HD, standard boiling point: 224°C, classification: alkanediols, properties at 25°C: liquid), and 1,5-pentanediol (abbreviation: 1,5PD, standard boiling point: 239°C, classification: alkanediols, properties at 25°C: liquid).

[0094] The total content of the organic solvents relative to the total mass of the ink composition is preferably 3% by mass or more. It is further preferably 10.0% by mass or more, more preferably 15.0% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20.0% by mass or more. On the other hand, the total content of the organic solvents relative to the total mass of the ink composition is preferably 40.0% by mass or less, more preferably 35.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 30.0% by mass or less. It is further preferably 25.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20.0% by mass or less.

[0095] Of the organic solvents exemplified above, the ink composition according to this embodiment more preferably contains alkylene glycol monoethers as the organic solvent. Furthermore, the alkylene glycol monoether preferably has a terminal alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and even more preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms. Furthermore, when an alkylene glycol monoether is used, its standard boiling point is preferably 100°C to 280°C, and even more preferably 100°C to 200°C. The standard boiling point of the alkylene glycol monoether is more preferably 110°C to 190°C, more preferably 120°C to 180°C, and particularly preferably 130°C to 170°C.

[0096] The content of alkylene glycol monoethers is preferably from 0.5% to 20% by mass, more preferably from 1% to 15% by mass, even more preferably from 2% to 10% by mass, and particularly preferably from 3% to 7% by mass, relative to the total mass of the ink composition.

[0097] In this way, silicone surfactant A tends to inhibit the wetting and spreading properties of the ink composition, which tends to result in poor image filling (color development). However, if the ink composition contains a glycol monoether solvent having a normal boiling point of 100°C or more and 200°C or less, this tendency of silicone surfactant A can be suppressed, and an image with even better wetting and spreading properties and filling can be formed.

[0098] The standard boiling points and carbon numbers of the terminal alkoxy groups of some alkylene glycol monoethers are shown below: 2-methoxyethanol (also known as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 124°C, number of carbon atoms in the terminal alkoxy group (hereinafter referred to as "C") 1), 2-ethoxyethanol (also known as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, standard boiling point: 136°C, C2), 1-methoxy-2-propanol (abbreviated as PM, also known as propylene glycol 1-monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 120°C, C1), 1-ethoxy-2-propanol (abbreviated as PE, also known as propylene glycol monoethyl ether, standard boiling point: 132°C, C2), 2-methoxypropanol (also known as propylene glycol 2-monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 102°C, C1), 3-methoxy-1-propanol (also known as 1,3-propanediol monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 153°C, C1), 1- Methoxy-2-butanol (also known as 1,2-butanediol 1-monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 135°C, C1), 2-methoxy-1-butanol (standard boiling point: 146°C, C1), 3-methoxy-1-butanol (abbreviated as MB, also known as 1,3-butanediol 3-monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 158°C, C1), 4-methoxy-1-butanol (also known as 1,4-butanediol monomethyl ether, standard boiling point: 165°C, C1), 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol (abbreviated as MMB, standard boiling point: 174°C, C1), diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (standard boiling point: 194°C, C1), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (standard boiling point: 202°C, C2), and dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (abbreviated as DPM, standard boiling point: 190°C, C1).

[0099] Furthermore, when the ink composition contains an organic solvent, the organic solvent having the highest normal boiling point among the organic solvents contained in the ink composition preferably has a normal boiling point of 250° C. or less, and even more preferably 240° C. or less, and more preferably 100° C. or more and 230° C. or less. In this way, images of even better image quality can be obtained.

[0100] (5) Resin particles The ink composition may further contain resin particles. The use of resin particles tends to further improve abrasion resistance. The resin particles are not particularly limited, but examples include resin particles made of urethane-based resins, acrylic-based resins (including styrene-acrylic-based resins), fluorene-based resins, polyolefin-based resins, rosin-modified resins, terpene-based resins, polyester-based resins, polyamide-based resins, epoxy-based resins, vinyl chloride-based resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate-based resins, etc. The resin particles may be in the form of an emulsion.

[0101] Among these, acrylic resin particles, urethane resin particles, or polyester resin particles can be mentioned. The use of such resin particles tends to further improve abrasion resistance. These resin particles are often handled in an emulsion form, but may also be in the form of a powder. Furthermore, the resin particles can be used alone or in combination of two or more types.

[0102] Urethane resin is a general term for resins having urethane bonds. In addition to urethane bonds, the urethane resin may be a polyether urethane resin containing ether bonds in the main chain, a polyester urethane resin containing ester bonds in the main chain, or a polycarbonate urethane resin containing carbonate bonds in the main chain.

[0103] Acrylic resin is a general term for polymers obtained by polymerizing at least an acrylic monomer such as (meth)acrylic acid or a (meth)acrylic acid ester as one component. Examples include resins obtained from acrylic monomers and copolymers of acrylic monomers with other monomers. Examples include acrylic-vinyl resins, which are copolymers of acrylic monomers and vinyl monomers. Another example of a vinyl monomer is styrene. Other usable acrylic monomers include acrylamide and acrylonitrile.

[0104] Among these, acrylic resins are preferred, and styrene-acrylic resins are more preferred. The styrene-acrylic resins are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include styrene-acrylic acid copolymers, styrene-methacrylic acid copolymers, styrene-methacrylic acid-acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-α-methylstyrene-acrylic acid copolymers, and styrene-α-methylstyrene-acrylic acid-acrylic acid ester copolymers. By using such resins, the abrasion resistance of the resulting recorded matter tends to be further improved.

[0105] The polyolefin resin has an olefin such as ethylene, propylene, or butylene in its structural skeleton, and any known polyolefin resin can be appropriately selected and used.

[0106] The content of the resin particles is preferably 0.5% by mass to 6.0% by mass, more preferably 1.0% by mass to 5.0% by mass, and even more preferably 2.0% by mass to 4.0% by mass, relative to the total mass of the ink composition. When the content of the resin particles is within the above range, the abrasion resistance tends to be further improved.

[0107] (6) Wax The ink composition may contain a wax. Examples of waxes include, but are not limited to, hydrocarbon waxes and ester waxes, which are condensates of fatty acids with monohydric alcohols or polyhydric alcohols. Examples of hydrocarbon waxes include, but are not limited to, paraffin waxes and polyolefin waxes such as polyethylene waxes and polypropylene waxes. These waxes may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these waxes, hydrocarbon waxes are preferred, polyolefin waxes are more preferred, and polyethylene waxes are even more preferred, from the viewpoint of improving abrasion resistance.

[0108] The wax may be in the form of an emulsion, for example, in which wax particles are dispersed in water.

[0109] The wax content is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 5.0% by mass or less, more preferably 0.3% by mass or more and 3.0% by mass or less, and even more preferably 0.6% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less, relative to the total amount of the ink composition, which tends to further improve the abrasion resistance of the resulting recorded matter.

[0110] (7) Other ingredients The ink composition may further contain various additives as appropriate, such as a solubilizing agent, a viscosity adjusting agent, a pH adjusting agent, an antioxidant, a preservative, an antifungal agent, a corrosion inhibitor, and a chelating agent. Method for preparing ink composition

[0111] (8) Combination of ingredients, etc. The ink composition more preferably contains one or more of the above-mentioned glycol monoether organic solvents or the above-mentioned silicone surfactant B. By doing so, the effect of either of these components can be used to form an image with better wetting and spreading properties and better filling (color development).

[0112] (9) Preparation of ink composition The method for preparing the ink composition is not particularly limited, but examples include a method in which the above-mentioned components are mixed and stirred sufficiently so that the components are mixed uniformly.

[0113] 1.1.3. Inkjet recording device An example of an inkjet recording apparatus that can be used in the recording method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0114] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an inkjet recording apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the periphery of the carriage of the inkjet recording apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 includes an inkjet head 2, an IR heater 3, a platen heater 4, a heating heater 5, a cooling fan 6, a preheater 7, a ventilation fan 8, a carriage 9, a platen 11, a carriage movement mechanism 13, a transport means 14, and a control unit CONT. The operation of the entire inkjet recording apparatus 1 is controlled by the control unit CONT shown in FIG. 2.

[0115] The inkjet head 2 is configured to perform recording on the recording medium M by ejecting and depositing an ink composition from the nozzles of the inkjet head 2. In this embodiment, the inkjet head 2 is a serial inkjet head that scans multiple times in the main scanning direction relative to the recording medium M to deposit ink onto the recording medium M. The inkjet head 2 is mounted on a carriage 9 shown in FIG. 2. The inkjet head 2 is scanned multiple times in the main scanning direction relative to the recording medium M by the operation of a carriage movement mechanism 13 that moves the carriage 9 in the medium width direction of the recording medium M. The medium width direction is the main scanning direction of the inkjet head 2. Scanning in the main scanning direction is also called main scanning.

[0116] Here, the main scanning direction is the direction in which the carriage 9 carrying the inkjet head 2 moves. In FIG. 1, this direction intersects with the sub-scanning direction, which is the transport direction of the recording medium M, indicated by the arrow SS. In FIG. 2, the width direction of the recording medium M, i.e., the direction indicated by S1-S2, is the main scanning direction MS, and the direction indicated by T1→T2 is the sub-scanning direction SS. Note that scanning is performed in the main scanning direction, i.e., in either the direction indicated by the arrow S1 or the arrow S2, in one scan. Recording is performed on the recording medium M by repeating the main scan of the inkjet head 2 and the sub-scan, which transports the recording medium M, multiple times. In other words, the treatment liquid application process and the ink application process are performed by multiple main scans in which the inkjet head 2 moves in the main scanning direction, and multiple sub-scans in which the recording medium M moves in the sub-scanning direction that intersects the main scanning direction.

[0117] The cartridges 12 that supply ink compositions to the inkjet head 2 each include a plurality of independent cartridges. The cartridges 12 are detachably mounted on a carriage 9 that mounts the inkjet head 2. Each of the plurality of cartridges is filled with a different type of ink composition, etc., and the ink composition is supplied from the cartridge 12 to each nozzle. Note that, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the cartridge 12 is mounted on the carriage 9, but this is not limiting, and the cartridge 12 may be provided in a location other than the carriage 9 and the ink composition may be supplied to each nozzle by a supply pipe (not shown).

[0118] A conventionally known method can be used for ejection from the inkjet head 2. In this embodiment, a method of ejecting droplets using the vibration of a piezoelectric element, that is, an ejection method of forming ink droplets by mechanical deformation of an electrostrictive element, is used.

[0119] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 is equipped with a ventilation fan 8, an IR heater 3, and a platen heater 4 for drying the ink composition ejected from the inkjet head 2 and attached to the recording medium M. The primary drying step can be carried out by using an appropriate combination of the ventilation fan 8, the IR heater 3, and the platen heater 4. In the primary drying step, it is not always necessary to heat the recording medium M, and the ventilation fan 8 may be used alone to blow air at room temperature.

[0120] Note that by using the IR heater 3, the recording medium M can be radiatively heated by radiating infrared rays from the inkjet head 2 side. This makes it easier for the inkjet head 2 to be heated at the same time, but compared to heating from the back side of the recording medium M using a platen heater 4 or the like, the temperature can be increased without being affected by the thickness of the recording medium M. Also, various fans (for example, ventilation fan 8) may be provided to blow warm air or air at the same temperature as the environment onto the recording medium M to dry the ink on the recording medium M.

[0121] The platen heater 4 can heat the recording medium M via the platen 11 at a position facing the inkjet head 2 so that the ink composition ejected by the inkjet head 2 can dry quickly from the moment it is applied to the recording medium M. The platen heater 4 can heat the recording medium M by conduction, and in the recording method of this embodiment, the ink composition may be applied to the recording medium M heated by this heater. In this case, the ink composition can be fixed on the recording medium M quickly, which may improve image quality.

[0122] The heater 5 dries and solidifies the ink composition applied to the recording medium M, i.e., it is a heater for secondary heating or secondary drying. The heater 5 can be used in a post-drying process. When the heater 5 heats the recording medium M on which an image has been recorded, the water, organic solvent, etc. contained in the ink composition evaporate and dissipate more quickly, and an ink film is formed by the resin that may be contained in the ink composition. In this way, the ink film is firmly fixed or adhered to the recording medium M, resulting in excellent film-forming properties and allowing a high-quality image to be obtained in a short period of time.

[0123] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 may have a cooling fan 6. After the ink composition recorded on the recording medium M is dried, the ink composition on the recording medium M is cooled by the cooling fan 6, whereby an ink coating film with good adhesion can be formed on the recording medium M.

[0124] The inkjet recording apparatus 1 may also include a preheater 7 that preheats the recording medium M before the ink composition is applied to the recording medium M. Furthermore, the inkjet recording apparatus 1 may also include a ventilation fan 8 so that the ink composition applied to the recording medium M dries more efficiently.

[0125] Below the carriage 9, there are provided a platen 11 that supports the recording medium M, a carriage movement mechanism 13 that moves the carriage 9 relative to the recording medium M, and a conveying means 14 that is a roller that conveys the recording medium M in the sub-scanning direction. The operations of the carriage movement mechanism 13 and the conveying means 14 are controlled by a control unit CONT.

[0126] The inkjet recording apparatuses exemplified above can be preferably used to implement the recording method according to this embodiment. Although a serial inkjet recording apparatus is shown in Figures 1 and 2, a line inkjet recording apparatus can also be used in the recording method according to this embodiment.

[0127] 1.1.4. Specific Embodiments of the Adhesion Step The adhesion step can be easily carried out by, for example, ejecting ink from an inkjet head 2 using an inkjet recording apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, which is one embodiment of the inkjet recording apparatus described above.

[0128] The recording method of this embodiment may, for example, be embodied in the following manner with respect to the method of depositing the ink composition. Note that "main scanning", also simply referred to as scanning, refers to the operation of ejecting the ink composition from the inkjet head and depositing it on the recording medium while moving the position of the inkjet head relative to the recording medium. The inkjet head may be mounted on, for example, a carriage. The inkjet head may also be moved by moving the carriage, and in this case, too, it is referred to as movement of the inkjet head.

[0129] Furthermore, the "main scanning direction" refers to the direction in which the inkjet head moves relative to the recording medium, and in the case of a serial type, it is the width direction of the recording medium. Note that "main scanning" refers to the movement of the inkjet head relative to the recording medium, and the inkjet head may move relative to the recording medium, or the recording medium may move relative to the inkjet head. The direction of such relative positional movement is the main scanning direction. The movement of the inkjet head relative to the recording medium can also be referred to as the movement of the recording medium relative to the inkjet head. In other words, it is the movement of the relative positions of the inkjet head and the recording medium.

[0130] On the other hand, "sub-scanning" refers to the operation of moving the relative positions of the inkjet head and the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, which is a direction that intersects with the main scanning direction. For example, recording can be performed by repeating the process of depositing an ink composition to a certain area of ​​a recording medium in a main scan, moving the recording medium a small distance in a sub-scan, and then performing a next main scan to deposit an ink composition adjacent to or partially overlapping the previously deposited ink composition. Note that "sub-scanning" also refers to movement of the position of the inkjet head relative to the recording medium; the inkjet head may move relative to the recording medium, or the recording medium may move relative to the inkjet head. The direction of such relative movement is the sub-scanning direction. Sub-scanning is not scanning, and does not involve ejecting ink to deposit it on the recording medium.

[0131] In this way, the printing method of this embodiment can be implemented by performing main scanning and sub-scanning multiple times, or by alternately repeating main scanning and sub-scanning, for example.

[0132] In the deposition step of this embodiment, the ink jet head is moved relative to the recording medium while performing multiple scans (main scans) to eject the ink composition and deposit it on the recording medium, and the same area of ​​the recording medium is scanned up to seven times. In the case of a line type, the scan is performed once.

[0133] That is, after droplets of the ink composition are deposited on a certain area on the recording medium by one main scan, droplets of the ink composition may be deposited on top of the deposited droplets by another main scan, with the number of overlapping being seven or less. In this case, the main scan for depositing the ink composition passes over the same area seven or less times. By doing so, the speed at which recorded matter is formed can be increased, thereby improving productivity.

[0134] When recording an arbitrary area, the number of times the inkjet head passes over that area is called the "number of passes" or "number of scans." For example, when the ink composition is deposited over the same area by four main scans, the number of passes is said to be "four passes," or the number of scans is said to be "four."

[0135] For example, in the example of Figure 2, if the length of one sub-scan in the sub-scanning direction is one-fourth the length in the sub-scanning direction of the nozzle row of the inkjet head aligned in the sub-scanning direction, then four main scans will be performed on the same portion (same scanning area) of a rectangular scanning area that is the length of one sub-scan in the sub-scanning direction and extends in the main scanning direction. The number of scans viewed in this way is called the number of scans or the number of passes. The number of scans is 7 or less, more preferably 1 to 6, and even more preferably 2 to 5.

[0136] The amount of the ink composition applied is preferably 2.0 mg / inch per unit area of ​​the area on the recording medium where the ink composition is applied (hereinafter also referred to as "ink composition applied area"). 2 More than 20mg / inch 2 and more preferably 3.0 mg / inch 2 More than 10mg / inch 2 The area for checking the amount of adhesion is, for example, about 2 mm × 2 mm. When the amount of adhesion of the ink composition is within the above range, the image quality of the resulting recorded matter tends to be better.

[0137] Furthermore, the time for one main scan is preferably from 0.5 to 5 seconds, more preferably from 1 to 4 seconds, and even more preferably from 2 to 3 seconds. The time for one main scan (also referred to as the main scan time) is the time required for the head to move from a position facing one edge of the recording medium to a position facing the other edge of the recording medium in one main scan.

[0138] 1.2.Other processes The recording method of this embodiment may include the following steps in addition to the adhering step.

[0139] 1.2.1.Primary drying process The recording method of this embodiment may include a primary drying step in which the ink composition applied to the recording medium is dried using a drying mechanism. The primary drying step is a step in which the ink composition is dried by heating the recording medium before the application step, or by heating or blowing air onto the recording medium during the application step, or shortly after the ink composition has been applied to the recording medium. The primary drying step is a step for drying at least a portion of the solvent component of the ink composition applied to the recording medium, at least to an extent that the flow of the ink composition is reduced.

[0140] The primary drying step may be performed by applying the ink composition to a heated recording medium, or may be performed soon after application to promote drying. In the primary drying step, it is preferable that the ink droplets (dots) that have landed on the recording medium begin to dry within 0.5 seconds at the latest after the ink droplets land. The drying unit (drying mechanism) for drying the ink composition on the recording medium is not particularly limited, but examples include a conduction type such as a platen heater with a heating function, a radiation type such as an IR heater, and a blower type such as a hot air fan or a fan without a heating function.

[0141] Drying mechanisms include a conduction type, in which heat is conducted from a member in contact with the recording medium to the recording medium to heat the recording medium; a radiation type, in which IR or other radiation is radiated to the recording medium to heat the recording medium; and an air blowing type, in which air is blown toward the recording medium. Air blowing types include a method in which hot air is blown onto the recording medium while also heating it, and a method in which room temperature air is used to promote drying of the ink without heating. Methods that do not involve heating are preferred because they can prevent the ink composition in the nozzles of the inkjet head from drying out and reducing ejection stability. It is also preferred to use either the conduction type or the radiation type in combination with the air blowing type. When using both types, the air blowing type may be a method that does not involve heating, but is also preferred.

[0142] In the primary drying step, the surface temperature of the recording medium is preferably 50° C. or less, more preferably 45° C. or less, even more preferably 30° C. to 42° C., and even more preferably 32° C. to 40° C. Alternatively, 35° C. to 48° C. is preferred, and 40° C. to 45° C. is more preferred.

[0143] By ensuring that the surface temperature of the recording medium is within the above range, the drying properties are further improved, coalescence and mixing of dots of the ink composition are further suppressed, image unevenness is suppressed, visibility and optical density are further improved, and the abrasion resistance of the resulting recorded matter tends to be further improved.

[0144] When using an air blower, the air speed near the recording medium is preferably 0.5 m / s to 15 m / s, more preferably 1 m / s to 10 m / s, and even more preferably 2 m / s to 5 m / s. The air temperature is preferably 45° C. or less, more preferably 40° C. or less, even more preferably 32° C. or less, and particularly preferably 20° C. to 27° C. In this way, images of even better quality can be obtained.

[0145] 1.2.2.Secondary drying process The secondary drying step is a step of heating the recording medium after the application step. The secondary drying step is a step of heating the recording medium sufficiently to complete the recording and make the recorded material usable. The secondary drying step is a step of sufficiently drying the solvent component of the ink composition and heating the resin, wax, etc. contained in the ink composition to flatten the ink composition coating. The secondary drying step is preferably initiated more than 0.5 seconds after the ink composition is applied to the recording medium. For example, it is preferable to start heating a certain recording area of ​​the recording medium more than 0.5 seconds after the ink composition has been completely applied to that area. The surface temperature of the low-absorbency or non-absorbency recording medium at this time is preferably 50°C or higher and 100°C or lower, more preferably 60°C or higher and 90°C or lower, and even more preferably 70°C or higher and 80°C or lower. Keeping the surface temperature of the recording medium within the above range tends to further improve the abrasion resistance of the resulting recorded material. The secondary drying mechanism can be a conduction type, a radiation type, a blower type, or the like.

[0146] 1.3.Effects According to the recording method of this embodiment, an ink composition containing a silicone surfactant A having a specific molecular weight distribution is used. Therefore, even when the number of passes during recording on a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbency recording medium is reduced to seven or less, uneven aggregation of dots of the ink composition can be reduced, and images of excellent quality can be obtained while increasing the recording speed.

[0147] In the recording method of this embodiment, by including a relatively high molecular weight silicone surfactant A in the ink composition, uneven dot aggregation can be reduced even with a reduced number of passes, allowing for high-quality images to be obtained while increasing the recording speed. This is presumably because the relatively high molecular weight silicone surfactant A inhibits the ink composition from flowing, thereby reducing uneven aggregation. This is particularly effective in reducing the fluidity of the ink composition when the solvent component of the ink composition evaporates on the recording medium and the solid component becomes highly concentrated. This effect can also be referred to as the pinning effect of the ink composition on the recording medium.

[0148] Furthermore, good results were obtained with this recording method even in a line printer equivalent to one pass.

[0149] Furthermore, silicone surfactant A may have somewhat poor wetting and spreading properties of the ink composition, raising concerns about reduced filling (color development, OD value). However, when the ink composition contains glycol monoethers or silicone surfactant B, the wetting and spreading properties of silicone surfactant A can be fully compensated for, resulting in better filling (color development, OD value). This is thought to be due to the mechanism in which, after the ink composition has been wetted and spread by glycol monoethers and / or silicone surfactant B, as the ink composition evaporates, silicone surfactant A reduces fluidity and prevents aggregation unevenness. This effect is also thought to be due to the fact that glycol monoethers tend to evaporate easily on the recording medium, resulting in significantly reduced wetting and spreading properties after the ink composition has wetted and spread.

[0150] 2. Examples and Comparative Examples The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Unless otherwise specified, "%" below is based on mass.

[0151] 2.1. Preparation of ink composition Ink compositions were obtained by mixing the components to obtain the compositions shown in Tables 1 to 3 below. Tables 1 to 3 show the compositions in mass %. The pigment and resin particles in the tables each indicate the solid content. The pigment was previously mixed with a dispersant, which was a water-soluble styrene acrylic resin, in water at a mass ratio of pigment:dispersant = 2:1, and stirred to prepare a pigment dispersion, which was used in preparing the ink compositions. Ion-exchanged water was added so that the total mass of the treatment liquid was 100 mass %.

[0152] [Table 1]

[0153] [Table 2]

[0154] [Table 3]

[0155] In Tables 1 to 3, "bp" indicates the normal boiling point. The properties of each substance listed in Tables 1 to 3 other than the substance name are as follows: <Colorant> PB15:3: Pigment Blue 15:3 Fixing resin: styrene acrylic resin (Joncryl 537J) Wax: Polyethylene wax (AQUACER539) Surfactant A: Silicone surfactant A BYK333 (Maximum peak: 6760) BYK Japan Preparation Example 1 (Maximum peak: 6500) BYK3480 (Maximum peak: 4330) manufactured by BYK Japan Surfactant B: Silicone surfactant B KF-6204 (maximum peak: less than 3000, HLB: 10) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd. Tegowet 280 (Maximum peak: less than 3000, HLB: 3.5) manufactured by EVONIK Other surfactants SAG503A (HLB: 11, maximum peak: less than 3000, manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., silicone surfactant, Silface SAG503A) PD002W (Nisshin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., acetylene glycol surfactant, Olfine PD002W)

[0156] Preparation Example 1 (Silicone surfactant A): Synthesized as follows. A specific organohydrogenpolysiloxane was reacted with a polyether having a corresponding carbon-carbon double bond at the molecular end using platinum catalyst. Structural analysis of the resulting product using a liquid chromatography mass spectrometer (LC-MS) revealed that in the above general formula (3), d = 4 to 6, e = 13 to 15, f = 4 to 12, g = 0, R 3 =CH3, R4 =-CH2-, R 5 A silicone surfactant A of Preparation Example 1 satisfying =H was obtained.

[0157] 2.2.Molecular weight distribution measurement The molecular weight distributions of silicone surfactant A and silicone surfactant B in Tables 1 to 3 were measured by gel permeation chromatography, and the maximum peak was obtained in the range of molecular weights of 300 or more. The results are shown in the tables. The measurement conditions were as follows: <Measurement conditions> Solvent: Tetrahydrofuran Column: TSKgel Super HZM-N x 2 · +TSKgel guardcolumn SuperHZ-L Column temperature: 40℃ ·Injection volume: 25μL Detector: Differential Refractive Index (RI) ·Flow rate: 0.35mL / min Calibration curve: Standard polystyrene STK standard polystyrene (manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) A calibration curve using 13 samples with Mw = 1,000,000 to 500 was used.

[0158] 2.3.Evaluation Method A printer (a modified version of Seiko Epson's SC-S80650) was prepared, and each ink composition was loaded into one nozzle row of the inkjet head. The inkjet head used had a nozzle row with a nozzle density of 360 dpi and 360 nozzles. The printer also had a platen heater opposite the inkjet head, as shown in Figure 1, for primary drying, and controlled the surface temperature of the recording medium to the values ​​listed in Tables 4-1 to 4-4. A secondary heater was also provided downstream of the printer, and the surface temperature of the recording medium during secondary drying was adjusted to 70°C. The primary drying mechanism in this example included a platen heater and a blower fan, and the fan's air speed was the value listed in the table. The air speed was measured near the surface of the recording medium directly below the inkjet head. The air temperature was measured in advance near the surface of the recording medium to avoid being affected by the platen heater.

[0159] Using the printer configured in this way, a solid pattern was printed on PET50A (manufactured by Lintec, transparent PET film: recording medium type M1, or plain paper: recording medium type M2) at a printing resolution of 720 x 720 dpi under the conditions shown in Tables 4-1 to 4-4. Furthermore, by adjusting the number of ink droplets and the amount of ink droplets per pass depending on the number of passes, the ink deposition amount was increased to 7 mg / inch. 2 It was set to be.

[0160] [Table 4]

[0161] [Table 5]

[0162] [Table 6]

[0163] [Table 7]

[0164] 2.3.1.Image Quality (Unevenness) The solid image of each recorded material was visually observed and evaluated for visibility according to the following evaluation criteria: A small pinning effect of the ink composition resulted in a low evaluation. A: There does not appear to be any unevenness in the color shading within the pattern. B: Minor variations in shading are slightly visible C: Fine variations in shading are clearly visible. D: Significant unevenness in shading is visible.

[0165] 2.3.2.Image Quality (OD Value) The solid image of the recorded matter obtained as described above was measured for OD value under the following measurement conditions using a colorimeter (i1Pro2, manufactured by X-rite), and the color development was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. (Measurement conditions) Measurement device: i1Pro2 (manufactured by X-rite) Measurement conditions: D50 light source, status T, standard observer 2° Background: Blank paper (Evaluation criteria) A:OD value is 1.2 or more B: 1 or more and less than 1.2 C: 0.8 or more and less than 1 D: Less than 0.8

[0166] 2.3.3.Abrasion resistance The recorded matter obtained as described above was subjected to a rub fastness test (JIS P 8136) using a Gakushin-type rub fastness tester AB-301 (manufactured by Tester Sangyo Co., Ltd.) in which a gold-width No. 3 cloth was rubbed back and forth 50 times under a load of 500 g. The rub resistance was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. (Evaluation criteria) A: No peeling of the image is observed B: Peeling of over 0% but less than 10% C: Peeling of 10% to less than 40% D: 40% or more peeling or recording medium is torn

[0167] 2.3.4.Discharge stability Recording was carried out for two hours under the recording test conditions. However, this was a simulated recording in which no ink composition was ejected from the head during recording. After recording, suction cleaning was performed to restore non-ejecting nozzles, and then a nozzle inspection was carried out. Each cleaning was performed by ejecting 1 cc of ink from the nozzle row. A: All nozzles recovered with one cleaning B: All nozzles recovered after 3 cleanings C: All nozzles recovered after 6 cleanings D: Some nozzles do not recover after six cleanings

[0168] Productivity The number of recorded passes was used as an index of productivity. The productivity evaluation criteria are as follows: (Evaluation criteria) A: 4 passes or less B: More than 4 passes and up to 7 passes C: Over 7 passes

[0169] 2.4.Evaluation Results In each of the Examples in which the number of scans was 7 or less and the ink composition was a water-based ink containing a colorant and a silicone surfactant A, the image quality (unevenness) of the obtained images was excellent and the productivity was also excellent. In the Comparative Examples in which this was not the case, at least one of the image quality (unevenness) and the productivity was poor.

[0170] The above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0171] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments, for example, configurations with the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effects. The present invention also includes configurations that replace non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects or purposes as the configurations described in the embodiments. The present invention also includes configurations that add publicly known technology to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0172] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications.

[0173] The recording method includes a step of depositing an ink composition onto a recording medium, wherein the recording medium is a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbency recording medium, the step of depositing the ink composition by scanning the ink composition onto the recording medium while moving the relative positions of an inkjet head and the recording medium, and the number of times the scanning is performed on the same area of ​​the recording medium is 7 or less, and the ink composition is a water-based ink containing a colorant and a silicone-based surfactant A, and the silicone-based surfactant A has a maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more in the range of 3,000 to 20,000 in a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography.

[0174] According to this recording method, an ink composition containing a silicone surfactant A having a specific molecular weight distribution is used, so even when the number of passes during recording on a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbency recording medium is reduced to seven or less, uneven aggregation of dots of the ink composition can be reduced, and images of excellent quality can be obtained while increasing the recording speed.

[0175] In the above recording method, the content of the silicone surfactant A may be 0.05% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the ink composition.

[0176] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0177] In the above recording method, the ink composition may further contain one or more of glycol monoether organic solvents, or silicone surfactant B that does not have a maximum peak at or above 3,000 in the range of molecular weights of 300 or more in a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, and has an HLB value of 10.5 or less according to the Griffin method.

[0178] According to this recording method, an ink composition is used that further contains silicone surfactant B, which has a higher molecular weight than silicone surfactant A, and therefore the ink composition has better wetting and spreading properties on the recording medium, making it possible to form images with better dot filling (color development). Furthermore, when glycol monoether is included, images with better wetting and spreading properties and better dot filling can be formed.

[0179] In the above recording method, the ink composition may contain a glycol monoether as an organic solvent, and the normal boiling point of the glycol monoether may be 100°C or higher and 200°C or lower.

[0180] According to this recording method, the silicone surfactant A tends to inhibit the wetting and spreading properties of the ink composition, and image filling (color development) tends to be poor. However, when the ink composition contains a glycol monoether solvent having a normal boiling point of 100°C or more and 200°C or less, an image with even better wetting and spreading properties and filling can be formed.

[0181] In the above recording method, the number of carbon atoms in the ether moiety of the glycol monoether may be 2 or less.

[0182] According to this recording method, an image having both excellent wetting and spreading properties and excellent filling can be formed.

[0183] In the above recording method, the silicone surfactant A may be a compound represented by the following general formula (1) or (3). [ka] (In general formula (1), R 1 each independently represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a single bond; X 1 each independently represents a polyether group represented by the following general formula (2), and a represents an integer of 10 or more and 80 or less. [ka] (In general formula (2), R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a (meth)acrylic group; EO represents an ethylene oxide group; PO represents a propylene oxide group; the order of EO and PO is random; b represents an integer of 0 or greater; c represents an integer of 0 or greater; and b+c is 1 or greater. [ka] (In general formula (3), R 3 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X 2 each independently represents a polyether group represented by the following general formula (4), d and e represent an integer of 1 or more, and d+e is 2 or more and 50 or less. [ka] (In general formula (4), R 4 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a single bond, and R 5 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, EO represents an ethylene oxide group, PO represents a propylene oxide group, the order of EO and PO is random, f represents an integer of 0 or greater, g represents an integer of 0 or greater, and f+g is 1 or greater.

[0184] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0185] In the above recording method, the total content of surfactants in the ink composition may be 2.0% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the ink composition.

[0186] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0187] In the above recording method, the ink composition may contain an organic solvent, and the organic solvent having the highest normal boiling point among the organic solvents contained in the ink composition may have a normal boiling point of 250° C. or lower.

[0188] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0189] In the above recording method, in the adhesion step, the scanning and the sub-scanning, which moves the relative position between the inkjet head and the recording medium in a direction intersecting the scanning direction, may each be performed multiple times, and the number of times the scanning is performed on the same area of ​​the recording medium may be two or more and five or less.

[0190] According to this recording method, recorded matter can be obtained with even better productivity.

[0191] In the above recording method, the ink composition may contain, as an organic solvent, a diol having 5 or less carbon atoms at both ends.

[0192] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0193] The above recording method may further include a primary drying step.

[0194] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0195] In the above recording method, the primary drying step may include drying by blowing air, and the speed of the blown air may be 0.5 m / s or more and 15 m / s or less.

[0196] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality.

[0197] In the above recording method, the surface temperature of the recording medium in the primary drying step may be 45° C. or less.

[0198] This recording method makes it possible to obtain images of even better quality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0199] 1...inkjet recording device, 2...inkjet head, 3...IR heater, 4...platen heater, 5...heating heater, 6...cooling fan, 7...preheater, 8...ventilation fan, 9...carriage, 11...platen, 12...cartridge, 13...carriage moving mechanism, 14...conveying means, CONT...control unit, MS...main scanning direction, SS...sub-scanning direction, M...recording medium

Claims

1. A recording method comprising a deposition step of depositing an ink composition onto a recording medium, the recording medium is a low-absorbency recording medium or a non-absorbency recording medium, the depositing step is performed by scanning the ink composition onto the recording medium while moving the relative positions of the inkjet head and the recording medium, and ejecting the ink composition from the inkjet head to deposit it onto the recording medium; the number of times the scanning is performed on the same area of ​​the recording medium is 7 or less; the ink composition is a water-based ink containing a colorant, a silicone surfactant A, and a glycol monoether organic solvent; The silicone surfactant A has, in a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography, a maximum peak in the molecular weight range of 300 or more in the range of 3,000 to 20,000, The glycol monoether has a normal boiling point of 146 to 180° C. and the number of carbon atoms in the terminal alkoxy group is 1 or 2.

2. In claim 1, A recording method, wherein the content of the silicone surfactant A is 0.05% by mass or more and 1.5% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the ink composition.

3. In claim 1 or claim 2, a silicone surfactant B having a molecular weight distribution measured by gel permeation chromatography that does not have a maximum peak at or above 3,000 in the range of molecular weights of 300 or more, and an HLB value measured by the Griffin method of 10.5 or less;

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, The normal boiling point of the glycol monoether is 153°C or higher and 174°C or lower.

5. In claim 4, The ink composition contains the glycol monoether in an amount of 0.5 to 20% by mass relative to the total mass of the ink composition.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The recording method, wherein the silicone surfactant A is a compound represented by the following general formula (1) or (3): 【Chemistry 1】 (In general formula (1), R 1 each independently represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a single bond; X 1 each independently represents a polyether group represented by the following general formula (2), and a represents an integer of 10 or more and 80 or less. 【Chemistry 2】 (In general formula (2), R 2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a (meth)acrylic group; EO represents an ethylene oxide group; PO represents a propylene oxide group; the order of EO and PO is random; b represents an integer of 0 or greater; c represents an integer of 0 or greater; and b+c is 1 or greater. 【Transformation 3】 (In general formula (3), R 3 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X 2 each independently represents a polyether group represented by the following general formula (4), d and e represent an integer of 1 or more, and d+e is 2 or more and 50 or less. 【Chemistry 4】 (In general formula (4), R 4 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a single bond, R 5 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, EO represents an ethylene oxide group, PO represents a propylene oxide group, the order of EO and PO is random, f represents an integer of 0 or greater, g represents an integer of 0 or greater, and f+g is 1 or greater.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 6, A recording method, wherein the total content of surfactants in the ink composition is 2.0% by mass or less with respect to the total amount of the ink composition.

8. In any one of claims 1 to 7, the ink composition contains an organic solvent, A recording method, wherein the organic solvent having the highest normal boiling point among the organic solvents contained in the ink composition has a normal boiling point of 250° C. or lower.

9. In any one of claims 1 to 8, a recording method in which, in the adhering step, the scanning and a sub-scanning, which moves the relative position between the inkjet head and the recording medium in a direction intersecting the scanning direction, are each performed a plurality of times, and the number of times the scanning is performed on the same region of the recording medium is 2 to 5.

10. In any one of claims 1 to 9, A recording method, wherein the ink composition contains, as an organic solvent, a diol having 5 or less carbon atoms at both ends.

11. In any one of claims 1 to 10, A recording method further comprising a primary drying step.

12. In claim 11, The primary drying step includes drying by blowing air, The recording method, wherein the air velocity of the air blown is 0.5 m / s or more and 15 m / s or less.

13. In claim 11 or claim 12, A recording method, wherein the surface temperature of the recording medium in the primary drying step is 45° C. or less.

Images