Ink and ink jet recording method and apparatus using the same

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an ink, and ink jet recording method and apparatus using the ink which has excellent dispersion stability, discharge stability and recovery properties, and which can be kept in the weak alkali region even if it contains carbon black with low pH, which is generally considered to be difficult to handle and which can obtain a high-density image. The ink contains acid carbon black having a volatile content within the range 3.5 to 8% by weight, and a water-soluble resin having a weight average molecular weight within the range of 3,000 to 30,000, both of which are dissolved in an aqueous liquid medium, and a compound represented by the following formula (I), wherein the ratio by weight between the acid carbon black and the water-soluble resin is within the range of 3:1 to 10:1. R.sub.1 R.sub.2 NCONHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH (I) wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is hydrogen or C.sub.n H.sub.2n OH, n is 2 or 3, with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are not simultaneously hydrogen.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.