A printing method employing an ink jet recording technique includes: forming an image with an ink jet recording technique by ejecting droplets of a water-based ink composition onto a recording medium having no or low ink absorbency; and drying the water-based ink composition on the recording medium, the drying being conducted so as to at least overlap the forming. The water-based ink composition contains at least one selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, tetramethylurea, and dimethyl sulfoxide; a water-insoluble coloring agent; a water-soluble resin; thermoplastic resin particles; a silicone-based surfactant; an acetylene glycol-based surfactant; a penetrating agent; a moisture retaining agent; and water. The total content of the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, the tetramethylurea, and the dimethyl sulfoxide in the water-based ink composition is 3.0 to 10.0 mass %. The content of the penetrating agent in the water-based ink composition is 3.0 to 8.0 mass %. The content of the moisture retaining agent in the water-based ink composition is 5.0 to 10.0 mass %.