Ink-jet recording method, ink-jet ink, ink-jet recording unit, ink cartridge for ink-jet recording and ink-jet recording apparatus

An ink-jet recording method for forming an image by applying ink to a recording medium,

• the ink comprising at least water, a colorant and a surfactant, the content of the surfactant being higher than or equal to the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant, and the ink used having a surface tension lower than or equal to the critical surface tension of the recording medium, the method comprising the steps of:
• applying the ink on the recording medium;
• and
• increasing the surface tension of the ink to a surface tension higher than the critical surface tension of the recording medium after contacting the recording medium,
• wherein the critical surface tension of the recording medium is 26 to 44 mN/m,
• wherein the colorant is a pigment, and the surfactant is an anionic surfactant, and
• wherein the anionic surfactant has a critical micelle concentration of lower than or equal to 0.0005 mol/L.