Patent ID: 6864031

Claim:
An image-forming method comprising a step where an electrostatic latent image on an electrostatically charged-image holder is developed with a developer fed from a developer carrier and a step where the above developed image is transferred onto a transferring material, wherein the above electrostatically charged-image holder has a radius of curvature of 18 mm or less in a development effective range; the above developer is a two-component developer comprising a toner comprising at least a binder and a colorant and a carrier which is coated with a resin and has a weight average particle diameter of 40 to 100 μm; the above toner has a volume average particle diameter of 8 to 11.5 μm; and the toner particles having a diameter of 6.35 μm or less account for 20 number % or less, and wherein the developing step described above satisfies the following equation: 0.12≦{( Rm+Dsd )× k }/( Rd×T )≦0.35 wherein Rm represents a radius (mm) of curvature of the developer carrier; Rd represents a radius (mm) of curvature of the electrostatically charged-image holder in the development effective range; k represents a ratio of a peripheral speed (mm/sec) of the developer carrier to a peripheral speed (mm/sec) of the electrostatically charged-image holder; Dsd represents a minimum proximity distance (mm) between the electrostatically charged-image holder and the developer carrier; and T represents a number % of the toner particles having a diameter of 6.35 μm or less.