Patent ID: 8919946

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: a recording head that jets a recording liquid for forming an image; an intermediate transfer body that carries the image formed by the recording liquid, the intermediate transfer body facing the recording head; a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage between the recording head and the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer unit that transfers the image onto a recording target material, wherein the recording liquid includes water, a coloring agent, a wetting agent, a water-soluble metal complex including polyvalent metal ions, and an anionic polymer whose viscosity increases by being cross-linked with the polyvalent metal ions, wherein the recording liquid is adjusted to have a pH value by which the polyvalent metal ions are inactivated, wherein the recording liquid jetted from the recording head forms a bridge between the recording head and the intermediate transfer body, and as the voltage applying unit applies the voltage, electrolysis occurs in the water in the recording liquid, and the pH value of the recording liquid is changed so that a viscosity of the recording liquid increases.