Recording apparatus that forms ink receiving layer(s) on an intermediate transfer body and recording method thereof

A recording method comprising:

• forming, on an intermediate transfer body, an ink receiving layer that includes a first solution layer containing a curable material that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation, and a second solution layer, on the first solution layer, containing a curable material that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation, and a liquid absorbing component, and in the case in which the first solution layer contains a liquid absorbing component, the content of the liquid absorbing component in the second solution layer being larger than the content of the liquid absorbing component in the first solution layer;
• supplying ink droplets onto the ink receiving layer;
• transferring the ink receiving layer onto which ink droplets have been supplied, from the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium;
• and
• irradiating the recording medium having the ink receiving layer transferred thereto, with ultraviolet radiation;
• wherein the viscosity of the first solution layer is about from 10 mPa.s to about 500 mPa.s at 25° C., and is smaller than the viscosity of the second solution layer, and wherein the viscosity of the second solution layer is from about 100 mPa.s to about 50000 mPa.s at 25° C.

A recording apparatus comprising:

• an intermediate transfer body;
• a forming unit that forms an ink receiving layer on the intermediate transfer body, the ink receiving layer including a first solution layer containing a curable material that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation, and a second solution layer, on the first solution layer, containing a curable material that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet radiation, and a liquid absorbing component, and in the case in which the first solution layer contains a liquid absorbing component, the content of the liquid absorbing component in the second solution layer being larger than the content of the liquid absorbing component in the first solution layer;
• an ink supplying unit that supplies ink droplets onto the ink receiving layer;
• a transferring unit that transfers the ink receiving layer onto which ink droplets have been supplied, from the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium;
• and
• an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates the recording medium having the ink receiving layer transferred thereto, with ultraviolet radiation;
• wherein the curable material in the first solution layer is a monomer having a solubility parameter of from about 8 (cal/cm3)1/2 to less than 10 (cal/cm3)1/2, and the curable material in the second solution layer is a monomer having a solubility parameter of from about 10 (cal/cm3)1/2 to about 18 (cal/cm3)1/2.