Ink set, ink jet recording method and ink jet recording apparatus

An ink jet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by using an aqueous ink, and an aqueous reaction liquid comprising a reactant reacting with the aqueous ink, the method comprising the steps of:

• applying the reaction liquid to the recording medium, and
• applying the aqueous ink to the recording medium by ejecting the aqueous ink from an ejection head of an ink jet system so that the aqueous ink overlaps at least a part of a region of the recording medium to which the reaction liquid is applied, wherein
• the aqueous ink comprises a resin,
• the reactant comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyvalent metal salt and a cationic resin, and
• the reaction liquid further comprises an ionic surfactant, and a crosslinking agent capable of forming a bond with the resin in the aqueous ink.

An ink jet recording apparatus used in an ink jet recording method for recording an image on a recording medium by using an aqueous ink, and an aqueous reaction liquid comprising a reactant reacting with the aqueous ink, the ink jet recording apparatus comprising:

• a reaction liquid applying unit for applying the reaction liquid to the recording medium, and
• an ink applying unit for applying the aqueous ink to the recording medium by ejecting the aqueous ink from an ejection head of an ink jet system so that the aqueous ink overlaps at least a part of a region of the recording medium to which the reaction liquid is applied, wherein
• the aqueous ink comprises a resin,
• the reactant comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyvalent metal salt and a cationic resin, and
• the reaction liquid further comprises an ionic surfactant, and a crosslinking agent capable of forming a bond with the resin in the aqueous ink.