Abstract: An aqueous ink for ink-jet printing comprising at least a water-soluble dye, a water-soluble organic solvent, a water-soluble preservative and anti-mold agent, and water, wherein(1) the water-soluble dye is a mixture of dye compounds I and II and/or III, the peak ratio of I/II and/or III of the water-soluble dye measured by liquid chromatography is in the range of 0.9 to 3.0; the total concentration of NaCl and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 contained in the water-soluble dye is 3.0 wt.

Abstract: An aqueous ink is disclosed, which comprises a first magenta dye having the formula (I), a second magenta dye having the formula (II), a water-soluble organic solvent having a boiling point of 100.degree. C. or higher, water and a preservative and anti-mold agent: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent ##STR2## (in which R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 each represent a lower alkyl group, an amino group, a sulfonic acid group in the form of an alkali metal salt, or a carboxyl group in the form of an alkali metal salt); R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represent a lower alkyl group, an amino group, a sulfonic acid group in the form of an alkali metal salt, or a carboxyl group in the form of an alkali metal salt; and k, l, m and n each represent an integer of 0, 1 or 2.

Abstract: A recording method by use of an ink is disclosed, in which images are formed by an aqueous ink comprising at least one dye selected from the group consisting of a pyrazolone azo dye, a phthalocyanine sulfonate dye, a xanthene dye and an azo dye on a recording medium containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble metal salt whose metal has an ion valence of 2 or more, an alkyl amine and a quaternary ammonium salt.