US Patent 10052865 Recording method and recording apparatus

A recording method includes: applying a reactant configured to thicken upon contact with ink to an intermediate transfer body; forming an intermediate image by applying ink to the intermediate transfer body; applying an auxiliary liquid containing a water-soluble polymer to the intermediate image to form an intermediate image layer; and transferring the intermediate image layer to a recording medium. At least one of the reactant, the ink, and the auxiliary liquid contains a certain compound. The reactant contains a surfactant different from this compound and having a cloud point. The temperature of the intermediate image layer at contact with the recording medium is equal to or higher than both the cloud point of the surfactant and the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer, and that at release from the intermediate transfer body is lower than the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer.