Patent ID: 8331815
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a print unit which includes a container containing a colorant and performs a double-side printing operation including an operation of printing images on one side of N non-printed sheets (N≧1) and then printing images on the opposite side of M one-side printed sheets (M≦N) using the colorant; a determination unit which determines whether an amount of the colorant remaining in the container is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and a control unit which causes the print unit to perform a reduced printing operation with a reduced amount of colorant when the determination unit determines that the amount of the remaining colorant is less than the threshold value, wherein the control unit performs the reduced printing operation on one side of a new non-printed sheet instead of performing the reduced printing operation on the opposite side of a one-side printed sheet existing at the time that the determination unit determines that the amount of the remaining colorant is less than the threshold value.