Printing apparatus, liquid absorbing apparatus, and printing method

A liquid absorbing apparatus for absorbing a liquid component from an ink image formed on a transfer member before transferring the ink image to a print medium, the liquid absorbing apparatus comprising:

• a liquid absorbing member configured to absorb the liquid component;
• a support unit configured to support the liquid absorbing member to be movable cyclically;
• an applying unit arranged in a moving path of the liquid absorbing member and configured to apply a moisturizing liquid while contacting the liquid absorbing member;
• a supply unit configured to supply the moisturizing liquid to the applying unit;
• and
• a control unit configured to control a supply amount of the moisturizing liquid supplied to the applying unit by the supply unit.

A printing method of transferring an ink image to a print medium via a transfer member, the method comprising:

• forming the ink image on the transfer member by discharging ink to the transfer member;
• absorbing a liquid component from the ink image on the transfer member after the forming;
• and
• transferring the ink image from the transfer member to the print medium after the absorbing,
• wherein the absorbing includes:
• cyclically moving a liquid absorbing member configured to absorb the liquid component from the ink image;
• applying a moisturizing liquid to the liquid absorbing member by an applying unit contacting the liquid absorbing member in the moving;
• and
• controlling a supply amount of the moisturizing liquid supplied to the applying unit.