A printing method involves applying a processing fluid containing a multivalent metal salt to a print medium, to form a processing fluid layer; applying a white ink containing a white coloring material and water to form a white ink layer; and applying a non-white ink containing a non-white coloring material and water to the white ink layer, after securing a time interval of 0.5 seconds or longer after the white ink is applied without drying with a drying unit after the white ink is applied. The print medium has a Cobb water absorption of 20 g/m2 or greater but 75 g/m2 or less when contacted with water for 120 seconds, where the Cobb water absorption is stipulated by JIS-P8140.