An inkjet printer applies a layer of a hydrophilic composition, which includes a liquid carrier and an absorption agent, to an image receiving surface of an indirect image receiving member. A dryer in the printer removes a portion of the liquid carrier from the layer of hydrophilic composition to form a dried layer of an absorption agent on the image receiving surface and an aqueous ink image is formed on the dried layer. The aqueous ink image and at least a portion of the dried layer are transferred to a surface of a print medium as the aqueous ink image and print medium move through a transfix nip formed between the indirect image receiving member and a transfix member.