Recording method and recording apparatus

1. A recording method comprising:

applying a reactant to an intermediate transfer body, the reactant configured to thicken upon contact with ink;

forming an intermediate image by applying ink to the intermediate transfer body carrying the reactant;

applying an auxiliary liquid to the intermediate image to form an intermediate image layer, the auxiliary liquid containing a water-soluble polymer; and

transferring the intermediate image layer to a recording medium;

in this order, wherein:

the auxiliary liquid contains a compound represented by formula (1);

the reactant contains a surfactant different from the compound represented by formula (1) and having a cloud point; and

during the transfer of the intermediate image layer, a temperature of the intermediate image layer at the time of contact with the recording medium is equal to or higher than both the cloud point of the surfactant and a glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer, and a temperature of the intermediate image layer at the time of release from the intermediate transfer body is lower than the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer:

where “w” and “x” each independently represent a divalent organic group, “a” and “b” each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group, “n” and “l” are each independently 1 or more and 75 or less, and “n”+“l” is 2 or more and 150 or less, “m” is 1 or more and 60 or less, and “p” and “q” are each independently 0 or 1.

2. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein a static contact angle between the reactant and the intermediate transfer body is 20° or less.

3. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein during the transfer of the intermediate image layer, a difference between the temperature of the intermediate image layer at the time of contact with the recording medium and the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer is 0° C. or more and 35° C. or less.

4. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein a weight-average molecular weight of the water-soluble polymer is 2000 or more and 10000 or less.

5. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a component that allows uniform coating of the intermediate transfer body with the reactant.

6. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is a fluorinated surfactant.

7. The recording method according to claim 1 , further comprising drying the intermediate image layer between the application of the auxiliary liquid and the transfer of the intermediate image layer.

8. A recording apparatus comprising:

a reactant applicator provided with a reactant and configured to apply the reactant to an intermediate transfer body, the reactant configured to thicken upon contact with ink;

an intermediate image formation unit provided with an ink and configured to form an intermediate image by applying the ink to the intermediate transfer body carrying the reactant;

an auxiliary liquid applicator provided with an auxiliary liquid and configured to apply the auxiliary liquid to the intermediate image to form an intermediate image layer, the auxiliary liquid containing a water-soluble polymer; and

a transfer unit configured to transfer the intermediate image layer to a recording medium, wherein:

the auxiliary liquid contains a compound represented by formula (1);

the reactant contains a surfactant different from the compound represented by formula (1) and having a cloud point; and

the transfer unit brings the intermediate image layer into contact with the recording medium when the intermediate image layer is at a temperature equal to or higher than both the cloud point of the surfactant and a glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer, and releases the intermediate image layer from the intermediate transfer body when the intermediate image layer is at a temperature of lower than the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer:

where “w” and “x” each independently represent a divalent organic group, “a” and “b” each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group, “n” and “l” are each independently 1 or more and 75 or less, and “n”+“l” is 2 or more and 150 or less, “m” is 1 or more and 60 or less, and “p” and “q” are each independently 0 or 1.

9. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the cloud point of the surfactant is 40° C. or more and 100° C. or less.

10. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer is 40° C. or more and 120° C. or less.

11. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the reactant contains a polyvalent metal ion or an organic acid.

12. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the ink contains a pigment.

13. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein a content of the compound represented by the formula (1) in the auxiliary liquid is 1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less of total mass of the auxiliary liquid.

14. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary liquid is for leading to efficient transfer of the intermediate image to the recording medium.

15. The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein the content of the water-soluble polymer is 0.1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less of total mass of the auxiliary liquid.

16. The recording method according to claim 13 , wherein the content of the water-soluble polymer is 0.1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less of total mass of the auxiliary liquid.