Patent ID: 7095974

Claim:
An image forming method comprising: a charging step of charging a surface of a latent image holding member; a latent image forming step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the latent image holding member; a developing step of forming a toner image on the surface of the latent image holding member by using a developer; a transfer step of transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the latent image holding member to a surface of a receiving member; a toner band forming step of forming a toner band on the surface of the latent image holding member to attain a recycled toner ratio; and a cleaning step of recovering remaining toner on the surface of the latent image holding member as recycled toner, wherein the recycled toner is supplied to the developer as a part of supply toner, and the ratio of the recycled toner to a total amount of the supply toner supplied to the developer is 15% by weight or greater.