Patent ID: 8080354

Claim:
Toner, which is used in an image formation process comprising the steps of transferring an image of toner formed on a photoreceptor onto a recording sheet, and removing any residual toner remaining on any of the photoreceptor, an intermediate transfer member and a secondary transfer member with a cleaning blade, the toner containing at least toner particles (A) and small particles (B), wherein the toner particles (A) have an average circularity of from 0.93 to 0.99 and a number-based median diameter (D 50 ) of from 3.0 to 8.0 μm, the small particles (B) have an average circularity of from 0.70 to 0.92 and a number-based median diameter (D 50 ) of from 0.15 to 0.60 times that of the toner particles (A), and the surface energy of the toner particles (A) is different from that of the small particles (B).