An ink jet recording method uses a plurality of recording heads, each of which jets droplets of ink of water-soluble dye of different color to record an image on a recording medium. The recording method includes the steps of: jetting a first ink from one of the plurality of recording heads to print on the recording medium, the first ink having an absorption coefficient (Ka) of 0.5 ml/m.sup.2 .multidot.ms.sup.1/2 or less and a wetting time (Tw) of 50 to 200 msec; and jetting a second ink from one of the plurality of recording heads to print on the recording medium, the second ink having an absorption coefficient (Ka) of 1.0 ml/m.sup.2 .multidot.ms.sup.1/2 or larger and a wetting time (Tw) of 20 msec or less.