JP2014218010A - Image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording method which does not decrease mold releasability of an intermediate image from an intermediate transfer body.SOLUTION: An image recording method includes a release layer forming process of forming a release layer on an intermediate transfer body, an intermediate image forming process of forming an intermediate image by imparting an ink to the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer body, and a transfer process of transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The release layer forming process includes a liquid composition imparting step of imparting a liquid composition containing a resin onto the intermediate transfer body, and a reaction liquid composition imparting step of imparting a reaction liquid coagulating the resin in the liquid composition onto the intermediate transfer body so as to overlap with at least a part of an area to which the liquid composition is imparted.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording method.

  Among image recording methods, a transfer type image recording method using an intermediate transfer member has been proposed. The transfer type image recording method includes a step of forming an intermediate image by ejecting ink from an ink jet type ejection head and applying the ink to an intermediate transfer member, and a transfer step of transferring the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium. Have

  In this transfer type image recording method, it is required that the intermediate image is efficiently transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium, that is, the transfer rate is high. Therefore, in order to improve the transfer rate, a layer having a high releasability from the intermediate transfer member is provided on the intermediate transfer member, and an intermediate image is formed on the layer to facilitate separation of the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member. Means have been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 describes that by applying a liquid release agent on an intermediate transfer member, the release property of the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member is improved and the transfer rate is improved. In Patent Document 2, prior to the step of ejecting ink onto a non-penetrable medium, by applying a particle-containing liquid onto the non-penetrable medium, the releasability of the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member is improved, and the transfer rate is increased. It is described to improve.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-199032 JP 2009-045851 A

  The method described in Patent Document 1 described above merely forms an intermediate image on the release agent, and is insufficient from the viewpoint of transferability. In the method described in Patent Document 2, an ink color material is temporarily fixed to particles of a particle-containing liquid to prevent an intermediate image from flowing. However, in this method, the particle-containing liquid and the color material in the ink are mixed, and a part of the color material in the ink adheres to the non-penetrable medium. In this case, there is a concern that the colorant adheres to a part of the non-penetrable medium, so that the releasability from the non-penetrable medium is lowered as compared with the case where the particles adhere to the entire surface of the non-penetrable medium. The

In particular, when the contact time between the intermediate image and the recording medium is short under a low transfer pressure or a high-speed transfer condition, the intermediate image and the recording medium do not sufficiently adhere to each other, and the transfer rate is likely to decrease. In addition, even when the surface shape of the recording medium is rough, the contact area between the intermediate image and the recording medium becomes small, and the transfer rate tends to decrease.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording method having a high transfer rate.

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventor has found that the following configuration solves the above problems, and has accomplished the present invention.

That is, one embodiment is
A release layer forming step for forming a release layer on the intermediate transfer member, an intermediate image forming step for forming an intermediate image by applying ink to the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate image A transfer step of transferring the image to a recording medium,
The release layer forming step includes
A liquid composition application step for applying a liquid composition containing a resin on the intermediate transfer member;
A reaction liquid application step of applying a reaction liquid for aggregating the resin in the liquid composition on an intermediate transfer member so as to overlap at least partly with a region to which the liquid composition is applied;
It is related with the image recording method characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, an image recording method having a high transfer rate can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing steps of an image recording method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a release layer and an intermediate image formed on the intermediate transfer member according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a transfer device used in the image recording method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the steps of an image recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, a release layer is formed on the intermediate transfer member (release layer forming step). As shown in FIG. 1, in this release layer forming step, first, either one of the steps (a-1) and (a-2) described later is performed. For example, when the step (a-1) is first performed, the release layer is formed on the intermediate transfer member by performing the step (a-2) once thereafter. Further, when the step (a-2) is first performed, the release layer is formed on the intermediate transfer member by performing the step (a-1) once thereafter.
(A-1) A step of applying a liquid composition containing a resin on the intermediate transfer member (liquid composition applying step).
(A-2) A step of applying a reaction liquid for aggregating the resin in the liquid composition on the intermediate transfer member so as to overlap at least partly with the region to which the liquid composition is applied (reaction liquid applying step).

  Moreover, when performing the process of (a-1) or (a-2) at least twice or more, the process of (a-1) and (a-2) is performed alternately. At this time, for example, when performing the release layer forming step in the order of (a-1), (a-2), (a-1),..., At least the step (a-1) is performed a plurality of times. To do. More specifically, when performing the release layer forming step in the order of (a-1), (a-2), and (a-1), the liquid composition application step is the same as the first liquid composition application step. The second liquid composition application step is performed twice. Moreover, a mold release layer formation process performs a 1st liquid composition provision process, a reaction liquid provision process, and a 2nd liquid composition provision process in this order. In this case, in the first liquid composition application step, the liquid composition is applied to the intermediate transfer body by coating, and in the second liquid composition application step, the liquid composition is applied to the intermediate transfer body by an inkjet type ejection head. It is preferable.

  Further, for example, when performing the release layer forming step in the order of (a-2), (a-1), (a-2),..., At least the step (a-2) is performed a plurality of times. . More specifically, when the release layer forming process is performed in the order of (a-2), (a-1), and (a-2), the reaction liquid application process includes the first reaction liquid application process and the second reaction liquid application process. It is performed twice in the reaction liquid application step. Moreover, a mold release layer formation process performs a 1st reaction liquid provision process, a liquid composition provision process, and a 2nd reaction liquid provision process in this order. In this case, it is preferable that the reaction liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body by coating in the first reaction liquid application step, and the reaction liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body by an ink jet type ejection head in the second reaction liquid application step.

  After the release layer forming step, ink is applied to the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer member to form an intermediate image (intermediate image forming step; drawing in FIG. 1). In this intermediate image forming step, for example, an intermediate image is formed on the release layer by ejecting ink onto the intermediate transfer member by an electrical signal corresponding to the image using an inkjet device.

  Next, the release layer and the intermediate image formed on the intermediate transfer member are transferred to a recording medium (transfer step; transfer in FIG. 1).

Details of these steps are described below.
An image recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least the following steps (1) to (3).
(1) A release layer forming step of forming a release layer on the intermediate transfer member.
(2) An intermediate image forming step of forming an intermediate image by applying ink to the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer member.
(3) A transfer process in which the intermediate transfer body on which the intermediate image is formed is pressed against the recording medium, and the intermediate image is transferred to the recording medium.

  Below, the outline of process (1)-(3) which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

(1) Release layer formation process In this process, as shown below, provision of a liquid composition and provision of a reaction liquid are performed. Each of these steps is performed at least once, and alternately performed when performed multiple times. In addition, when the application of the liquid composition and the application of the reaction liquid are performed alternately, any of them may be applied first on the intermediate transfer member.

<Application of liquid composition; (a-1) step>
It describes below about the provision method of a liquid composition. Various conventionally known methods can be appropriately used as a method for applying the liquid composition for forming the release layer onto the intermediate transfer member. Examples of this include die coating, blade coating, a technique using a gravure roller, a technique using an offset roller, and spray coating. Moreover, the method of providing using an inkjet device is also suitable. Furthermore, it is also very suitable to combine a plurality of methods described above.

  In addition, when a liquid composition is applied after applying a reaction liquid or the like on the intermediate transfer member, the liquid composition is applied in a non-contact state to the reaction liquid or the like so as not to disturb the application state of the previous reaction liquid or the like. It is preferable to use an ink jet device that enables the above.

<Liquid composition>
It describes below about the liquid composition which can be used for this process.
The liquid composition does not include a color material component but includes a resin. The resin is not particularly limited as long as it reacts and aggregates at least with the reaction solution applied in step (a-2). Specifically, homopolymers such as polyolefin, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyester, polyether, polyurea, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, poly (meth) acrylic acid and salts thereof, poly (meth) acrylate alkyl, polydiene, or the like And a copolymer obtained by combining a plurality of these. The mass average molecular weight of the resin is preferably in the range of 1,000 to 2,000,000.

  In addition to the above resins, water-soluble resins can also be suitably used. Specific examples include water-soluble vinyl resins, styrene and derivatives thereof, vinyl naphthalene and derivatives thereof, aliphatic alcohol esters of α, β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, acrylic acid and derivatives thereof, maleic acid and derivatives thereof, Examples thereof include itaconic acid and its derivatives, fumaric acid and its block or random copolymers, and salts thereof. The mass average molecular weight of these resins is preferably in the range of 1000 to 15000.

The smaller the adhesion between the intermediate transfer member and the release layer, the better the transferability of the intermediate image. However, when the adhesive force between the intermediate transfer member and the release layer is extremely small, there is a concern that the intermediate image may move or shrink due to the aggregation reaction between the reaction liquid, the liquid composition, and the ink. Therefore, adhesion of the release layer and the intermediate transfer member is preferably 50 gf / cm ² or more, and more preferably 100 gf / cm ² or more. The adhesive force between the intermediate transfer member and the release layer can be adjusted to the above range by appropriately adjusting the contact area between the release layer and the intermediate transfer member according to the dispersed particle diameter of the resin before aggregation. That is, if the dispersed particle size of the resin before aggregation is reduced, the contact area between the release layer and the intermediate transfer member can be increased, so that the adhesive force between the release layer and the intermediate transfer member can be increased. Therefore, by setting the dispersed particle size of the resin before aggregation to a predetermined value or less, the adhesion force between the release layer and the intermediate transfer member can be 50 gf / cm ² or more, or 100 gf / cm ² or more. . The adhesive force between the release layer and the intermediate transfer member was measured at a press pressure of 12 kg / cm ² , a press time of 0.1 sec, and a drawing speed of 1 cm / sec in a solder paste adhesive strength tester TK-1 manufactured by Malcolm Corporation. Value.

  In the present embodiment, on the intermediate transfer member, a component that causes the resin in the reaction solution that the liquid composition gives in step (a-2) to aggregate (hereinafter, the component that causes the resin to aggregate is referred to as “aggregating component”. React). Thereby, the resin in the liquid composition is aggregated (hereinafter, the resin aggregate is sometimes referred to as “resin aggregate”). The resin has a higher releasability from the intermediate transfer member than the color material. Further, when ink is applied onto the resin aggregate, the color material component in the ink does not directly touch the intermediate transfer member. For this reason, it is possible to improve the releasability of the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member by forming the release layer as compared with the case where the ink is directly applied on the intermediate transfer member.

  In addition, when the application amount of the liquid composition is insufficient, or when the content of the resin in the liquid composition is insufficient, the resin aggregate cannot cover the intermediate transfer member without a gap. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2A, it is expected that the resin aggregates 3 in the liquid composition 2 are formed so as to be scattered on the intermediate transfer body 1. In this state, when the ink 4 is applied onto the intermediate transfer body 1, the pigment particles 5 and a part of the intermediate transfer body 1 are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. I am concerned that there is not.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2C, it is preferable that the resin aggregate 3 in the liquid composition 2 covers the intermediate transfer member 1 without a gap. In this way, the resin aggregate 3 covers the intermediate transfer member 1 without a gap, so that contact between the color material component 5 in the ink 4 and the intermediate transfer member 1 can be prevented as shown in FIG. . As a result, the intermediate image can have high releasability due to the layer of the resin agglomerate 3 having a low adhesive force with the intermediate transfer member 1.

  In order to coat the intermediate transfer member with the resin aggregate without gaps, the amount of the resin in the liquid composition is preferably 0.5% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of the liquid composition. preferable. In addition, in order for the resin aggregate to cover the intermediate transfer member without gaps as described above, the liquid composition needs to cover the intermediate transfer member without gaps when the liquid composition is applied. For this reason, the surface tension and applied amount of the liquid composition, and the surface energy of the intermediate transfer member are appropriately adjusted so that the liquid composition covers the intermediate transfer member without any gaps. Even when the liquid composition is applied so as to cover the intermediate transfer member without a gap, the amount of the liquid composition to be used can be reduced by applying the liquid composition only to a necessary region according to the image signal. Can be reduced. For this reason, cost can be reduced.

The ratio A _max / A _min between the maximum absorbance A _max and the minimum absorbance A _min in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 780 nm of the liquid composition is preferably 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. By setting such an absorbance ratio, the transparency of the liquid composition can be improved.

  In addition to the resin, the liquid composition may contain a component that does not chemically react with the aggregating component in the reaction solution or does not physically adsorb. Among the components constituting the liquid composition, the compounding ratio of components other than the resin is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately prepared within a range that can be imparted by the selected application method of the liquid composition.

<Application of reaction solution; (a-2) step>
Below, the application | coating method of a reaction liquid is demonstrated. The reaction liquid contains at least a component that reacts with the resin in the liquid composition to aggregate the resin to form a resin aggregate (hereinafter, this component may be referred to as “aggregated component”). As a method for applying the reaction liquid, various methods described in <Application of liquid composition> can be used.

  In addition, when applying the reaction liquid after applying the liquid composition etc. on the intermediate transfer member, applying the reaction liquid in a non-contact state to the liquid composition etc. so as not to disturb the application state of the previous liquid composition etc. It is preferable to use an ink jet device that enables the above. Further, the aggregating component may be a component that reacts with a component in the ink to cause the component to aggregate. In this case, the fluidity of the ink is lowered, and the deterioration of the image quality due to the flow of the intermediate image can be prevented.

  The application amount of the reaction liquid is not particularly limited, and can be appropriately adjusted according to the application amount of the liquid composition, the amount of the resin contained in the liquid composition, and the amount of the aggregation component contained in the reaction liquid. it can. In order to efficiently remove the liquid component in the reaction solution, it is preferable to reduce the amount of reaction solution applied as much as possible.

<Reaction solution>
The reaction liquid contains an aggregating component that reacts with at least the resin in the liquid composition to aggregate the resin in the liquid composition to form a resin aggregate. In the present specification, the “reaction” between the resin and the agglomerated component includes not only a chemical reaction but also a physical adsorption. A resin agglomerate layer is formed on the intermediate transfer member by the aggregating component, and the intermediate image can be easily separated from the intermediate transfer member by the resin agglomerate layer. Further, when an aggregating component that agglomerates the resin and the ink is used, it is also possible to prevent the color material component in the ink from flowing on the release layer to disturb the image.

  As the aggregating component, conventionally known substances such as polyvalent metal ions, organic acids, cationic polymers, and porous fine particles can be used without particular limitation. Of these, polyvalent metal ions and organic acids are particularly preferred. It is also preferable to contain a plurality of types of aggregation components. In addition, it is preferable that content of the aggregation component in a reaction liquid is 5 mass% or more with respect to the reaction liquid total mass.

Specifically, examples of metal ions that can be used as the aggregating component include divalent metal ions such as Ca ²⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Ni ²⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Sr ²⁺ , Ba ^2+, and Zn ²⁺ , Fe ³⁺ , Cr ³⁺ , And trivalent metal ions such as Y ³⁺ and Al ³⁺ .

  Specific examples of organic acids that can be used as the aggregating component include oxalic acid, polyacrylic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, ascorbic acid, levulinic acid, and succinic acid. , Glutaric acid, glutamic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, pyrone carboxylic acid, pyrrole carboxylic acid, furan carboxylic acid, pyridine carboxylic acid, coumaric acid, thiophene carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid, oxysuccinic acid, dioxysuccinic acid An acid etc. are mentioned.

For example, the ratio A _max / A _min between the maximum absorbance A _max and the minimum absorbance A _min in the wavelength region of 400 nm to 780 nm of the reaction solution is preferably 1.0 or more and 2.0 or less. By setting such an absorbance ratio, the transparency of the reaction solution can be improved.

  The reaction solution may contain an appropriate amount of water or an organic solvent. The reaction solution can be used by adding a surfactant or a viscosity modifier and appropriately adjusting the surface tension or viscosity. The material to be used is not particularly limited as long as it can coexist with the aggregation component.

<Release layer>
The characteristics of the release layer are described below.
In this embodiment, the resin in the liquid composition and the aggregating component in the reaction liquid are reacted on the intermediate transfer member, and the resin in the liquid composition is agglomerated to form the resin aggregate on the intermediate transfer member. A release layer having a layer is formed. This release layer is composed of a resin aggregate and a liquid component derived from the liquid composition and the reaction liquid. Resin agglomerates have less adhesion to the intermediate transfer member than color materials. For this reason, it is possible to obtain a higher releasability of the intermediate image when the ink is applied on the release layer than when the ink is applied directly on the intermediate transfer member. Further, by forming the resin aggregate layer that covers the intermediate transfer member without any gap as described above, direct contact between the intermediate image and the intermediate transfer member can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent the intermediate image from coming into close contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and to obtain high releasability of the intermediate image.

  Further, it is preferable to provide a step of reducing the liquid content from the release layer before forming the intermediate image on the release layer on the intermediate transfer member. If the liquid content in the release layer is excessive, excess liquid may overflow or overflow from the release layer in the transfer process, which may cause image distortion or transfer failure. Therefore, such a phenomenon can be prevented by providing a step of reducing the liquid content from the release layer. As the method for removing the liquid component, any of various conventionally used methods can be suitably applied. Specifically, a method of heating the release layer, a method of blowing low-humidity air to the release layer, a method of reducing the pressure, a method of bringing the liquid absorber into contact with the release layer, and a method combining these methods Either can be used suitably. It is also possible to remove the liquid component by natural drying.

<Intermediate transfer member>
The intermediate transfer member will be described below.
The intermediate transfer member holds a reaction liquid, a liquid composition, and ink, and becomes a base material that forms an intermediate image. The intermediate transfer member includes a support member for handling the intermediate transfer member and transmitting necessary force, and a surface layer member for forming an image. These may be composed of the same member, or may be composed of a plurality of independent members.

  Examples of the shape of the intermediate transfer member include a sheet shape, a roller shape, a drum shape, a belt shape, and an endless web shape. If a drum-shaped support member or a belt-shaped endless web-structured support member is used, the same intermediate transfer member can be used continuously and repeatedly. For this reason, these shapes become a very suitable structure from the surface of productivity. Further, the size of the intermediate transfer member can be freely selected according to the target print image size.

The support member for the intermediate transfer member is required to have a certain degree of structural strength from the viewpoint of conveyance accuracy and durability. The material of the support member is preferably metal, ceramic, resin, or the like. Among these materials, the following materials are used very favorably because of their rigidity and dimensional accuracy that can withstand pressurization during transfer, as well as characteristics required to reduce inertia during operation and improve control responsiveness. It is done.
Aluminum, iron, stainless steel, acetal resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polyurethane, silica ceramics, alumina ceramics.
It is also preferable to use a combination of these materials.

  It is desirable that the surface layer member of the intermediate transfer member has a certain degree of elasticity in order to transfer the image by pressing the image on a recording medium such as paper. For example, when paper is used as the recording medium, the surface layer member of the intermediate transfer member preferably has a durometer type A (according to JIS K6253) hardness of 10 to 100 °, particularly 20 to 60 °. Are more preferred.

  As materials for the surface layer member, various materials such as polymers, ceramics, and metals can be used as appropriate, but various rubber materials and elastomer materials are preferably used in view of the above characteristics and processing characteristics. For example, polybutadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, urethane rubber, styrene elastomer, olefin elastomer, vinyl chloride elastomer, ester elastomer, amide elastomer and the like are suitable. . In addition, polyether, polyester, polystyrene, polycarbonate, siloxane compound, perfluorocarbon compound and the like can also be suitably used. In particular, nitrile butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, and urethane rubber can be used very suitably from the viewpoints of dimensional stability, durability, heat resistance, releasability, and the like.

  In addition, the surface layer member is preferably formed by laminating a plurality of materials. For example, an endless belt-like urethane rubber coated with silicone rubber, a sheet in which silicone rubber is laminated on a PET film, a laminated material in which a polysiloxane compound is formed on a urethane rubber sheet, and the like are preferably used. Further, a sheet in which a woven fabric such as cotton cloth, polyester, rayon or the like is used as a base cloth and a rubber material such as nitrile butadiene rubber or urethane rubber is impregnated therewith can be suitably used.

  Further, the surface layer member can be used after being subjected to an appropriate surface treatment. Examples of surface treatment include flame treatment, corona treatment, plasma treatment, polishing treatment, roughening treatment, active energy ray (UV, IR, RF, etc.) irradiation treatment, ozone treatment, surfactant treatment, and silane coupling treatment. Can be mentioned. It is also preferable to perform a combination of a plurality of these processes.

  In addition, various adhesives and double-sided tapes for fixing and holding these may be present between the surface layer member and the support member.

(2) Intermediate image forming step An intermediate image is formed by applying ink onto the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer member. The ink application method is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to apply ink with an inkjet device in accordance with an image signal. As the ink jet device, any of ink jet type ejection heads which are various ink jet devices proposed in the ink jet liquid ejection technology can be used. For example, a form in which ink is ejected by causing film boiling in the ink by an electro-thermal converter to form bubbles can be mentioned. In addition, a mode in which ink is ejected by an electro-mechanical converter, a mode in which ink is ejected using static electricity, and the like are also included. Among these, those using an electro-thermal converter are preferably used particularly from the viewpoint of high-speed and high-density printing.

  Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a form of the whole inkjet device. For example, a so-called shuttle-type inkjet discharge head that performs recording while scanning the head perpendicular to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer member can be used. It is also possible to use a so-called line head type inkjet discharge head in which the ink discharge ports are arranged in a line substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer member (that is, substantially parallel to the axial direction in the case of a drum shape). it can.

  In addition, when the aggregating component aggregates the components in the ink, when the ink is applied onto the release layer using an inkjet device, the reaction liquid and the ink come into contact with each other and the components in the ink aggregate to increase the viscosity. Can be formed. At the time of forming the intermediate image, an intermediate image (mirror image) in which a desired image is inverted is formed on the intermediate transfer member.

<Ink>
As the ink applied in the intermediate image forming step, for example, an ink widely used as an inkjet ink can be used. Specifically, various inks in which coloring materials such as dyes, carbon black, and organic pigments are dissolved and / or dispersed can be used. Among these, carbon black and organic pigment ink are particularly preferable because an image having good weather resistance and color developability can be obtained.

  In addition, water-based inks containing water as a component are suitable from the viewpoint of environmental burden and odor during use. In particular, an ink containing 45% by mass or more of moisture in the component and an ink whose main component of the solvent is water are very preferable. Furthermore, the colorant content of the ink is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, and more preferably 0.2% by mass or more. The color material content is preferably 15.0% by mass or less, and more preferably 10.0% by mass or less.

  Examples of the color material include dyes, carbon black, organic pigments, and accompanying resins, and the following materials can be used.

Examples of the dye include the following.
C. I. Direct blue 6, 8, 22, 34, 70, 71, 76, 78, 86, 142, 199.
C. I. Acid Blue 9, 22, 40, 59, 93, 102, 104, 117, 120, 167, 229.
C. I. Direct red 1, 4, 17, 28, 83, 227.
C. I. Acid Red 1, 4, 8, 13, 14, 15, 18, 21, 26, 35, 37, 249, 257, 289.
C. I. Direct yellow 12, 24, 26, 86, 98, 132, 142.
C. I. Acid Yellow 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 23, 25, 34, 44, 71.
C. I. Food black 1,2.
C. I. Acid Black 2, 7, 24, 26, 31, 52, 112, 118.
In addition to the above, known dyes can be used.

  The carbon black is, for example, a carbon black pigment such as furnace black, lamp black, acetylene black, or channel black. For example, the following commercially available products can be used. In addition, carbon black is not limited to these, Well-known carbon black can be used. Further, magnetic fine particles such as magnetite and ferrite, titanium black and the like may be used.

Ray Van: 7000, 5750, 5250, 5000, 3500, 2000, 1500, 1250, 1200, 1190 ULTRA-II, 1170, 1255 (above Colombia).
Black Pearls: L.
Legal: 400R, 330R, 660R.
Mougur: L.
Monak: 700, 800, 880, 900, 1000, 1100, 1300, 1400.
Vulcan: XC-72R (above Cabot).
Color black: FW1, FW2, FW2V, FW18, FW200, S150, S160, S170.
Printex: 35, U, V, 140U, 140V.
Special black: 6, 5, 4A, 4 (manufactured by Degussa), No. 25, no. 33, no. 40, no. 47, no. 52, no. 900, no. 2300, MCF-88, MA600, MA7, MA8, MA100 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical).

  As the organic pigment, for example, the following can be used.

Water-insoluble azo pigments such as Toluidine Red, Toluidine Maroon, Hansa Yellow, Benzidine Yellow, and Pyrazolone Red.
Water-soluble azo pigments such as Ritolol Red, Helio Bordeaux, Pigment Scarlet, and Permanent Red 2B.
Derivatives from vat dyes such as alizarin, indanthrone and thioindigo maroon.
Phthalocyanine pigments such as phthalocyanine blue and phthalocyanine green.
Quinacridone pigments such as quinacridone red and quinacridone magenta.
Perylene pigments such as perylene red and perylene scarlet.
Isoindolinone pigments such as isoindolinone yellow and isoindolinone orange.
Imidazolone pigments such as benzimidazolone yellow, benzimidazolone orange, and benzimidazolone red.
Pilanthrone pigments such as pyranthrone red and pyranthrone orange.
Indigo pigments, condensed azo pigments, thioindigo pigments.
Flavanthrone yellow, acylamide yellow, quinophthalone yellow, nickel azo yellow, copper azomethine yellow, perinone orange, anthrone orange, dianthraquinonyl red, dioxazine violet, etc.

Moreover, when an organic pigment is shown by a color index (CI) number, the following can be used.
C. I. Pigment Yellow: 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 24, 74, 83, 86, 93, 109, 110, 117, 120, 125, 128, 137, 138, 147, 148, 151, 153, 154, 166 168.
C. I. Pigment Orange: 16, 36, 43, 51, 55, 59, 61.
C. I. Pigment Red: 9, 48, 49, 52, 53, 57, 97, 122, 123, 149, 168, 175, 176, 177, 170, 192, 215, 216, 217, 220, 223, 224, 226, 227 228, 238, 240.
C. I. Pigment Violet: 19, 23, 29, 30, 37, 40, 50.
C. I. Pigment Blue: 15, 15: 3, 15: 1, 15: 4, 15: 6, 22, 60, 64.
C. I. Pigment Green: 7, 36.
C. I. Pigment Brown: 23, 25, 26.
In addition to the above, known organic pigments can be used.

  These pigments are not limited in form, and for example, any of self-dispersion type, resin dispersion type, microcapsule type and the like can be used. As the dispersant for the pigment used in this case, a water-soluble dispersion resin having a mass average molecular weight of about 1000 to 15000 can be preferably used. Specific examples include water-soluble vinyl resins, styrene and derivatives thereof, vinyl naphthalene and derivatives thereof, aliphatic alcohol esters of α, β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, acrylic acid and derivatives thereof, maleic acid and derivatives thereof, Examples thereof include itaconic acid and its derivatives, fumaric acid and its block or random copolymers, and salts thereof.

  In order to improve the fastness of the finally formed image, a water-soluble resin or a water-soluble crosslinking agent can be added to the ink. The material used is not limited as long as it can coexist with the ink component. As the water-soluble resin, the dispersion resin exemplified above can be used as it is. As the water-soluble crosslinking agent, oxazoline and carbodiimide are preferably used in terms of ink stability. Moreover, reactive oligomers such as polyethylene glycol diacrylate and acryloylmorpholine can also be suitably used.

Further, in the method using the image recording method according to the present embodiment, when transferring to a recording medium, the ink is substantially only the color material and the high boiling point organic solvent. Therefore, it is effective to contain an appropriate amount of an organic solvent in the ink in order to improve transferability. The organic solvent to be used is preferably a water-soluble material having a high boiling point and a low vapor pressure. For example, the following organic solvents are mentioned.
Alkanediols such as 1,3-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol and 1,6-hexanediol.
Glycol ethers such as diethylene glycol monomethyl (or ethyl) ether and triethylene glycol monoethyl (or butyl) ether.
Alkyl alcohols having 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, secondary butanol and tertiary butanol;
Carboxylic acid amides such as N, N-dimethylformamide and N, N-dimethylacetamide.
Ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 2-methyl-2-hydroxypentan-4-one, or keto alcohol.
Cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane.
Alkylene glycols such as glycerin, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,2- or 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2- or 1,4-butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol;
Polyhydric alcohols such as thiodiglycol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol;
Heterocycles such as 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, N-methylmorpholine.
Sulfur-containing compounds such as dimethyl sulfoxide.
Also, two or more kinds of these can be selected and mixed for use.

  In addition to the above components, the ink according to this embodiment may be a pH adjuster, a rust inhibitor, a preservative, an antifungal agent, an antioxidant, a reduction inhibitor, a water-soluble resin neutralizer, You may contain various additives, such as a salt. Further, it is also preferable to add a surfactant and adjust the surface tension of the ink as necessary.

  The surfactant is not limited as long as it does not have an adverse effect such as storage stability on the ink. For example, fatty acid salts, higher alcohol sulfates, liquid fatty oil sulfates, alkylallylsulfonic acid Examples thereof include anionic surfactants such as salts, and nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters, acetylene alcohols, and acetylene glycols. Two or more of these can be selected and used as appropriate.

  The mixing ratio of the components constituting the ink is not limited, and can be appropriately adjusted within a dischargeable range from the discharge force, nozzle diameter, and the like of the selected inkjet discharge head.

(3) Transfer process In this process, the intermediate transfer member and the recording medium are brought into pressure contact, and the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer member and the intermediate image formed on the release layer are transferred to the recording medium. In this embodiment, the intermediate transfer member is covered with the release layer formed in the release layer forming step without any gap, so that the release property of the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member is improved.

  In the conventional image recording method, when the transfer pressure is extremely low, or when the contact time between the intermediate image and the recording medium is short under high-speed transfer conditions, the intermediate transfer member and / or the recording medium is not sufficiently deformed. There is a concern that the image and the recording medium do not adhere sufficiently. In contrast, in the image recording method of the present embodiment, by improving the releasability of the intermediate image as described above, a good transfer image can be obtained even if the adhesion between the intermediate image and the recording medium is reduced. I can do it. As described above, in the image recording method of the present embodiment, the transfer pressure can be lowered, and the image recording apparatus can be downsized. In addition, in the image recording method of the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the transfer speed, leading to improvement in productivity.

  Further, in the conventional image recording method, even when a recording medium having a rough surface is used, the intermediate image and the recording medium are not sufficiently adhered, and the adhesion between the intermediate image and the recording medium is reduced. On the other hand, in the image recording method of the present embodiment, since the releasability of the intermediate image is improved as described above, a good transfer image can be obtained for the reasons described above.

  In the image recording method of the present embodiment, the following steps may be performed before step (3).

<Removal of liquid>
In the image recording method of the present embodiment, it is preferable to provide a step of reducing the liquid content from the formed release layer or intermediate image. If the liquid content in the release layer or the intermediate image is excessive, excess liquid may overflow or overflow in the transfer process, which may cause image distortion or transfer failure.

  Any of various conventional methods can be suitably applied as the method for removing the liquid component. Any of a method using heating, a method of blowing low-humidity air, a method of reducing pressure, a method of bringing an absorber into contact with each other, and a method of combining them are preferably used. It is also possible to carry out by natural drying.

<Heating process>
When the resin in the liquid composition and / or the resin in the ink (including the resin) has a glass transition point, a step of heating the intermediate transfer member and / or the recording medium is provided at a temperature higher than the glass transition point of the resin. Is preferred. By heating the intermediate transfer member and / or the recording medium, the liquid composition and the resin in the ink are heated to increase the fluidity thereof. As a result, in the transfer step, the adhesion between the recording medium and the intermediate image is improved, and the transfer rate of the intermediate image can be further improved, which is preferable.

  In the image recording method of the present embodiment, the following fixing step may be performed after step (3).

<Fixing process>
In the fixing step, the recording medium on which image recording has been performed after the transfer can be pressurized with a roller to improve the fixability between the recording medium and the intermediate image. In addition, since the fixability may be improved by heating the recording medium, heating of the recording medium is also preferable. Moreover, you may perform these simultaneously using a heating roller.
Further, the following steps may be performed.

<Cleaning process>
Although the image recording is completed by the above steps, the intermediate transfer member may be used repeatedly and continuously from the viewpoint of productivity. In this case, it is preferable to clean and regenerate the surface of the intermediate transfer member before performing the next image recording.

As the means for performing the cleaning and regeneration, any of various methods conventionally used can be suitably applied. For example, the following method can be suitably used.
A method in which the cleaning liquid is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer member in the form of a shower.
A method in which a wet Molton roller is wiped by contacting the surface of the intermediate transfer member.
A method of bringing the surface of the intermediate transfer member into contact with the cleaning liquid surface.
-A method of scraping the surface of the intermediate transfer member with a wiper blade.
A method of applying various kinds of energy to the surface of the intermediate transfer member.
Further, a method of combining a plurality of these methods is also suitable.

  Next, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples of the image recording method according to the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the following examples unless it exceeds the gist. In the text, “parts” and “%” are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

In the following examples and comparative examples, the transferability of the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium was evaluated by repeated stability. That is, image recording was performed 100 times in each example and comparative example, and the ink remaining on the intermediate transfer body after transfer was visually observed each time. And it evaluated according to the following reference | standard.
A: When almost no ink residue was observed on the intermediate transfer member for 95 times or more out of 100 times.
B: When there is almost no ink remaining on the intermediate transfer member for 90 times or more and less than 95 times.
C: When almost no ink residue was observed on the intermediate transfer member for 80 times or more and less than 90 times.
D: When there is almost no ink remaining on the intermediate transfer member for less than 80 times.

Example 1
<Intermediate transfer member>
In this example, as a surface layer member of the intermediate transfer member, a silicone rubber (KE12 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) having a rubber hardness of 40 ° and a thickness of 0.1 mm is provided on the surface of a 0.5 mm transparent PET film via a double-sided adhesive tape. ) Was used. Further, the surface of the intermediate transfer member was hydrophilized by subjecting the surface of the surface layer member to plasma surface treatment under the following conditions using an atmospheric pressure plasma treatment apparatus (ST-7000 manufactured by Keyence Corporation). First, the surface of the intermediate transfer member was hydrophilized by performing plasma surface treatment using a parallel plate atmospheric pressure plasma treatment apparatus (APT-203 manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.).
(Plasma surface treatment conditions)
Used gas flow rate: air; 1000 cc / min, N ₂ ; 6000 cc / min
Input voltage: 230V
Frequency: 10kHz
Processing speed: 200 mm / min.

<Preparation of reaction solution>
After mixing the components of the following composition and stirring sufficiently, the reaction solution was prepared by pressure filtration with a micro filter (manufactured by Fuji Film) having a pore size of 3.0 μm. As will be described later, the calcium nitrate in the reaction solution reacts with the resin in the liquid composition 1 and the components in the ink to aggregate both components.
-Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate 10 parts-Glycerin 20 parts-Surfactant (acetylenol E100) 3 parts-Ion-exchanged water 67 parts.

<Preparation of liquid composition 1>
After mixing the components of the following composition and stirring sufficiently, liquid composition 1 was prepared by pressure filtration with a microfilter (manufactured by Fuji Film) having a pore size of 3.0 μm.
-Resin dispersion (concentration of about 20%) 2.5 parts-Glycerol 8 parts-Diethylene glycol 5 parts-Surfactant (acetylene EH) 2 parts-Ion-exchanged water 82.5 parts.

<Preparation of resin dispersion>
Preparation of the resin dispersion which comprises the said liquid composition 1 was performed as follows. 18 parts of ethyl methacrylate, 2 parts of 2,2′-azobis- (2-methylbutyronitrile) and 2 parts of n-hexadecane were mixed and stirred for 0.5 hour. This mixture was added dropwise to 78 parts of a 6% aqueous solution of a styrene-acrylic acid copolymer (acid value 200 mg KOH / g, mass average molecular weight 9,000) as an emulsifier, and stirred for 0.5 hour. Next, the ultrasonic wave was irradiated for 3 hours with the ultrasonic irradiation machine. Subsequently, a polymerization reaction was performed at 80 ° C. for 4 hours in a nitrogen atmosphere, and after cooling at room temperature, filtration was performed to obtain a resin dispersion having a concentration of about 20%. The resin had a mass average molecular weight of about 1,680 and a dispersed particle size of about 350 nm.

<Ink prescription>
・ Each pigment below: 3 parts Black: Carbon black (Mitsubishi Chemical: MCF88)
Cyan: Pigment Blue 15
Magenta: Pigment Red 7
Yellow: Pigment Yellow 74
Styrene-acrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer 1 part (acid value 240, mass average molecular weight 5000)
・ Glycerin: 10 parts ・ Ethylene glycol: 5 parts ・ Surfactant: 1 part (manufactured by Kawaken Fine Chemicals: Acetylenol EH)
-Ion exchange water: 80 parts.
Using the above materials, the following steps (1) to (3) were performed in order.

(1) Release layer formation process The said reaction liquid was apply | coated so that the whole surface on an intermediate transfer body might be covered using a roll coater ((a-2) process; reaction liquid provision process). Next, the above-described liquid composition 1 was applied to the entire surface of the intermediate transfer body using an inkjet type ejection head (nozzle density 1200 dpi, ejection amount 4.8 pl, drive frequency 18 kHz) ((a-1)). Step; liquid composition application step). Thereby, the resin in the liquid composition 1 was aggregated to form a release layer containing the resin aggregate on the intermediate transfer member.

(2) Intermediate Image Forming Step Next, ink for image recording is ejected from an inkjet type ejection head 3 (nozzle density 1200 dpi, ejection amount 4.8 pl, drive frequency 18 kHz), and an intermediate image (on the intermediate transfer member). A mirror-inverted image) was formed. At this time, the reaction liquid reacted with the components in the ink to aggregate these components. Thereby, a release layer and an intermediate image were formed on the intermediate transfer member. Here, the inks formulated as described above (four color inks including each color pigment as a color material) were used.

(3) Transfer Process Next, the intermediate image was transferred onto the recording medium 9 (Nippon Paper New V mat and Oji Paper OK Prince fine quality) using the transfer device shown in FIG. In this step, the intermediate transfer member is pressed while the intermediate member (not shown) formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member 6 and the recording medium 9 are sandwiched between the support member 7 of the intermediate transfer member 6 and the pressure roller 8. 6 was conveyed in the direction of arrow F. The intermediate image was transferred to the recording medium 9 by pressing the recording medium 9 on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 6 to obtain a final printed image. The transfer pressure and a transfer speed of the intermediate image is changed by pressurizing means and a motor, not shown, the recording medium 9 is transferred to the intermediate image-pressure ^{5kg / cm 2, 10kg / cm} 2, 20kg / cm 2 And pressed. The transfer speed was 50 cm / sec for any transfer pressure.

As a result, the transferability at a transfer pressure of 5, 10, and 20 kg / cm ² for the new V mat is “A”, “A”, and “A”, respectively, and the transfer pressure for the OK Prince quality is 5, 10, and 20 kg / cm. The transferability at ² was “A”, “A”, and “A”, respectively. That is, it was found from the evaluation results of this example that high transferability can be obtained even on a recording medium whose surface is rough, and a high-quality image can be formed.

(Example 2)
In this example, liquid composition 2 was prepared as follows.

(Preparation of liquid composition 2)
After mixing the components of the following composition and stirring sufficiently, liquid composition 2 was prepared by pressure filtration with a micro filter (manufactured by Fuji Film) having a pore size of 3.0 μm.
-Resin dispersion (concentration of about 20%) 30 parts-Glycerol 8 parts-Diethylene glycol 5 parts-Surfactant (acetylene EH) 2 parts-Ion-exchanged water 55 parts.

In addition, said resin dispersion prepared the same thing as the resin dispersion as described in Example 1. The reaction solution and the intermediate transfer member were those described in Example 1. As will be described later, the calcium nitrate in the reaction solution reacts with the resin in the liquid composition 2 and the components in the ink to aggregate both components.
Using the above materials, the following steps (1) to (3) were performed in order.

(1) Release layer formation process The reaction liquid was apply | coated similarly to Example 1 ((a-2) process; reaction liquid provision process). Next, the same liquid composition 2 was applied to the entire surface of the intermediate transfer member using the same inkjet discharge head as in Example 1, and the resin in the liquid composition 2 was aggregated ((a− 1) Process; Liquid composition provision process). As a result, a release layer containing resin aggregates was formed on the intermediate transfer member.

(2) Intermediate image forming step By applying ink onto the intermediate transfer member in the same manner as in Example 1, the reaction liquid and the components in the ink reacted to cause the components in the ink to aggregate.

(3) Transfer process A new V mat (manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) was used as a recording medium, the transfer speed was 100 cm / sec, 50 cm / sec, and the transfer pressure at any transfer speed was 20 kg / cm ² . Except for these conditions, the intermediate image was transferred in the same manner as in Example 1, and the transferability was evaluated. As a result, the transfer properties at transfer speeds of 100 and 50 cm / sec were “A” and “A”, respectively.

Example 3
The following steps (1) to (3) were performed in order.

(1) Release layer formation process The reaction liquid was apply | coated similarly to Example 1 ((a-2) process; 1st reaction liquid provision process). Next, the same liquid composition 2 was applied to the entire surface of the intermediate transfer member using the same inkjet discharge head as in Example 1, and the resin in the liquid composition 2 was aggregated ((a− 1) Process; Liquid composition provision process). Furthermore, the reaction solution was applied in the same manner as in Example 1 (step (a-2); second reaction solution application step). As a result, a release layer containing resin aggregates was formed on the intermediate transfer member.

(2) Intermediate image forming step By applying ink onto the intermediate transfer member in the same manner as in Example 1, the reaction liquid and the components in the ink reacted to cause the components in the ink to aggregate.

(3) Transfer process A new V mat (manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) was used as a recording medium, the transfer speed was 50 cm / sec, and the transfer pressure was 10 kg / cm ² . Except for these conditions, the intermediate image was transferred in the same manner as in Example 1, and the transferability was evaluated. As a result, the transferability was “A”.

Example 4
The following steps (1) to (3) were performed in order.

(1) Release layer forming step The liquid composition 2 was applied to the entire surface of the intermediate transfer body using the same inkjet discharge head as in Example 1 ((a-1) step; liquid composition) Application step). Next, the reaction liquid was applied in the same manner as in Example 1 to aggregate the resin in the liquid composition 2 (step (a-2); reaction liquid application step). As a result, a release layer containing resin aggregates was formed on the intermediate transfer member.

(2) Intermediate image forming step By applying ink onto the intermediate transfer member in the same manner as in Example 1, the reaction liquid and the components in the ink reacted to cause the components in the ink to aggregate.

(3) Transfer process A new V mat (manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) was used as a recording medium, the transfer speed was 100 cm / sec, and the transfer pressure was 20 kg / cm ² . Except for these conditions, the intermediate image was transferred in the same manner as in Example 1, and the transferability was evaluated. As a result, the transferability was “A”.

(Example 5)
In this example, after performing the (1) release layer forming step described in Example 3, in order to remove moisture on the intermediate transfer body, the wind speed was 3 m / s and the temperature was 40 ° C. on the release layer surface. The air was blown for 20 seconds. Thereafter, an intermediate image is formed on the release layer under the same conditions as in Example 3 ((2) Intermediate image forming step), and air is blown on the surface of the intermediate image at a wind speed of 3 m / s and a temperature of 40 ° C. for 20 seconds. The water on the intermediate transfer member was removed.

Thereafter, (3) as a transfer step, the intermediate image on the intermediate transfer member is transferred to a recording medium (Oji Paper OK Prince Quality) at a transfer speed of 50 cm / sec and a pressure of 10 kg / cm ² , and the transfer property is evaluated. did. As a result, the transferability was “A”.

(Comparative Example 1)
In this comparative example, a liquid composition 3 was prepared as follows.

(Preparation of liquid composition 3)
After the components having the following composition were mixed and sufficiently stirred, liquid composition 3 was prepared by pressure filtration with a microfilter having a pore size of 3.0 μm (manufactured by Fuji Film).
-Resin dispersion (concentration of about 20%) 0.5 part-Glycerol 8 parts-Diethylene glycol 5 parts-Surfactant (acetylene EH) 2 parts-Ion-exchanged water 84.5 parts The same resin dispersion as described in Example 1 was prepared. In this comparative example, the same reaction solution as in Example 1 was used. As will be described later, the calcium nitrate in the reaction solution reacts with the resin in the liquid composition 3 and the components in the ink to aggregate both components.
Using the above materials, the following steps (1) to (3) were performed in order.

(1) Release layer formation process The reaction liquid was apply | coated similarly to Example 1. FIG. Next, the same liquid composition 3 was applied to the entire surface of the intermediate transfer member using the same inkjet discharge head as in Example 1, and the resin in the liquid composition 3 was aggregated.

(2) Intermediate image forming step By applying ink onto the intermediate transfer member in the same manner as in Example 1, the reaction liquid and the components in the ink reacted to cause the components in the ink to aggregate.

(3) Transfer process OK Prince fine quality (manufactured by Oji Paper) was used as a recording medium, the transfer speed was 50 cm / sec, and the transfer pressure was 10 kg / cm ² . Except for these conditions, the intermediate image was transferred in the same manner as in Example 1, and the transferability was evaluated. As a result, the transferability was “B”.

(Comparative Example 2)
In this comparative example, the liquid composition was not applied on the intermediate transfer member, and no release layer was formed. Specifically, image recording was performed on the recording medium by sequentially performing the following steps (1) to (3).

(1) Reaction liquid application process The reaction liquid was apply | coated similarly to Example 1. FIG.

(2) Intermediate image forming step By applying ink onto the intermediate transfer member in the same manner as in Example 1, the reaction liquid and the components in the ink reacted to cause the components in the ink to aggregate.

(3) Transfer process OK Prince fine quality (manufactured by Oji Paper) was used as a recording medium, the transfer speed was 50 cm / sec, and the transfer pressure was 10 kg / cm ² . Except for these conditions, the intermediate image was transferred in the same manner as in Example 1, and the transferability was evaluated. As a result, the transferability was “C”.

  The conditions and results of the examples and comparative examples described above are summarized in Table 1 below.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Surface of intermediate transfer body 2 Liquid composition 3 Resin 4 Mixture of liquid composition and ink 5 Color material component 6 Intermediate transfer body 7 Support member 8 Pressure roller 9 Recording medium

Claims (6)

A release layer forming step for forming a release layer on the intermediate transfer member, an intermediate image forming step for forming an intermediate image by applying ink to the release layer formed on the intermediate transfer member, and the intermediate image A transfer step of transferring the image to a recording medium,
The release layer forming step includes
A liquid composition application step for applying a liquid composition containing a resin on the intermediate transfer member;
A reaction liquid application step of applying a reaction liquid for aggregating the resin in the liquid composition on an intermediate transfer member so as to overlap at least partly with a region to which the liquid composition is applied;
An image recording method comprising:   The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the reaction liquid in the liquid composition reduces the fluidity of the ink. In the release layer forming step, the liquid composition application step is performed twice, a first liquid composition application step and a second liquid composition application step,
The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid composition application step, the reaction liquid application step, and the second liquid composition application step are performed in this order. In the first liquid composition application step, the liquid composition is applied to the intermediate transfer member by coating,
4. The image recording method according to claim 3, wherein, in the second liquid composition application step, the liquid composition is applied to the intermediate transfer member by an ink jet type ejection head. In the release layer forming step, the reaction solution application step is performed twice, a first reaction solution application step and a second reaction solution application step,
The image recording method according to claim 1, wherein the first reaction liquid application step, the liquid composition application step, and the second reaction liquid application step are performed in this order. In the first reaction liquid application step, the reaction liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer member by coating,
6. The image recording method according to claim 5, wherein, in the second reaction liquid application step, the reaction liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer member by an ink jet type ejection head.