Patent ID: 8724152

Claim:
An image forming method for forming an image on a recording medium based on a first pattern or a second pattern, comprising: forming the image based on the first pattern by transferring a transparent image formed with a transparent developer onto selected one of a substantially entire area and a partial area of the recording medium; fusing the transparent image on the recording medium; transferring a color image formed with a color developer on the recording medium, on which the transparent image has been fixed; fusing the color image on the recording medium; and ejecting the recording medium on which the transparent image and the color image are fused, from a predetermined ejection opening, wherein the steps are performed in this order to achieve a predetermined gloss on a surface of the color image on the recording medium; and forming the image based on the second pattern by transferring a color image formed by the color developer on the recording medium; fusing the color image on the recording medium; and ejecting the recording medium on which the color image is fused, from the predetermined ejection opening, wherein the fusing of the transparent image for the first pattern, the fusing of the color image for the first pattern, and the fusing of the color image for the second pattern are executed by using a single fusion unit including a heat roller that contacts the transparent image and the color image on the recording medium.