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 2-pyrrolidone, a water-insoluble coloring agent, a water-soluble resin, thermoplastic resin particles, a silicone-based surfactant, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,3-propanediol, and water. The content of the 2-pyrrolidone in the water-based ink composition is 3.0 to 10.0 mass %; and the content of the 1,3-propanediol in the water-based ink composition is 5.0 to 10.0 mass %.