PURPOSE: To obtain the titled ink usable without causing clogging of an ejection nozzle and having excellent quick-dryability and roundness of printed dot, by compounding a water-soluble dye, a mixture of a specific polyhydric alcohol and specific derivative thereof, a specific surfactant and water at specific ratios.

CONSTITUTION: The objective ink is composed of (A) 0.1W9wt% water-soluble dye, (B) 7W45wt% mixture of (a) a polyhydric alcohol derivative selected from the group of (mono, di, tri)ethylene glycol alkyl ethers and (mono, di, tri)ethylene glycol alcohol ether acetates (e.g. diethylene glycol monobutyl ether) and (b) a polyhydric alcohol selected from the group of (mono, di, tri, tetra, poly)ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerol (e.g. glycerol), (C) a surfactant exhibiting a surface tension of 20W50dyne.cm-1 when dissolved in water at micelle concentration and (D) water.