Patent ID: 8543039

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a first image forming portion for forming a developer image, said first image forming portion including a first image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a first developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a second image forming portion for forming a developer image, said second image forming portion including a second image supporting member for forming a static latent image and a second developing member for attaching developer to the static latent image; a transfer portion for transferring the developer image to a printing medium; and a fixing unit for fixing the developer image to the printing medium, said fixing unit being disposed at a position closer to the first image forming portion relative to the second image forming portion, wherein said first developing member has a surface roughness smaller than that of the second developing member, and said first image forming portion is disposed at an upstream side of the fixing unit and at a downstream side of the second image forming portion in a transportation direction of the printing medium.