Abstract: An ink for ink jet recording including at least a particulate pigment having a sulfur-containing dispersibility providing group chemically bonded to the pigment surface with a treatment containing sulfur, a penetrating agent and a liquid component including water. In one embodiment, the liquid component includes polyvalent metal ions and has a sulfur content that is 2,000 ppm or less as calculated in terms of SO42−. In other embodiments, the ink has (a) a sulfonic acid anion group or a sulfinic acid anion group and an alkaline metal or monovalent counter ion; (b) a penetrating agent having the formula R—EOn2—POm2—X; and (c) a sulfur-containing dispersibility providing group in an amount of 10×106 equivalent or more per gram of particulate pigment.

Abstract: A coating liquid for forming a transparent topcoat, without requiring a hardening or fixing process that uses heating or UV radiation. The coating liquid imparts light resistance, water resistance, fixation, and glossiness to recordings. Also, a recording method using the coating liquid, and recordings produced thereby. The liquid, which is applied to recorded images, contains at least water, fine polymer particles, and a penetrating agent, preferably a penetrating agent selected acetylene glycol surfactants, acetylene alcohol surfactants, glycol ethers, and 1,2-alkylene glycols. Also, an image recording method for forming an even, transparent coating layer by spraying the coating liquid during an ink jet recording process, as well as recordings produced thereby.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a coating liquid for forming a transparent topcoat, without requiring a hardening or fixing process that uses heating of UV radiation, and imparting light resistance, water resistance, fixation, and glossiness to recordings, together with a recording method therefor, and recordings produced thereby.