| abstract |
An image forming method, comprising the steps of forming an electrostatic image on a electrostatic image-bearing member, developing the electrostatic image with toner particles having a first shape factor (SF-1) of 100 - 150 and containing a low-softening point substance to form a toner image on the electrostatic image-bearing member, transferring the toner image on the electrostatic image-bearing member to an intermediate transfer member which has been voltage-applied, transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member to a transfer-receiving material by a transfer means which has been voltage-applied, and heat-fixing the toner image on the transfer-receiving material. The toner particles may preferably have a second shape factor (SF-2) of 100-140. The total of SF-1 and SF-2 may preferably at most 275, particularly at most 240, for improving transfer efficiency of the toner particles. The low-softening point substance may preferably be an ester wax having a long-chain (e.g., ā§ Cāā) alkyl group. The image forming method is effective in providing a high-quality (full-color) toner image with high transfer efficiency and free from toner sticking. |