An image forming method includes: forming a toner image on a print medium by using a toner including toner particles having a binder resin which contains a condensate of straight-chain diol having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkylene oxide adduct of bisphenol A and polyvalent carboxylic acid; and applying, to the toner image, a fixing solution containing an ester-based softening agent having a boiling point of not less than 180 C. so as to fix the toner image to the print medium.

An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction; a developing cartridge; a transfer unit; a solvent cartridge accommodating solvent for dissolving toner; an applicator applying the solvent to the toner on a sheet; and a cover movable between an open position and a closed position. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are detachably attachable to the main casing independently of each other. The developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are positioned between the applicator and the cover in a second direction crossing the first direction, and the solvent cartridge is positioned closer to the applicator than the developing cartridge is to the applicator in a state where the developing cartridge and the solvent cartridge are attached to the main casing and the cover is at the closed position.

A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.

A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.

An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a varnish coater, and a controller. When a first image forming job in which a toner image is formed to a first recording material and varnish is not applied is executed, the controller controls conveyance of the first recording material at a fixing nip portion such that a conveyance speed of the first recording material at the fixing nip portion is a first conveyance speed. When a second image forming job in which a toner image is formed to a second recording material of which a grammage is the same as a grammage of the first recording material and varnish is applied is executed, the controller controls conveyance of the second recording material at the fixing nip portion such that the second recording material is conveyed at a second conveyance speed faster than the first conveyance speed.

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device configured to supply toner onto the photosensitive drum, a transfer device configured to transfer the toner supplied onto the photosensitive drum onto a sheet, a spraying device configured to spray a fixing liquid toward the sheet onto which the toner has been transferred, the spraying device including a housing configured to accommodate the fixing liquid and nozzles configured to spray the fixing liquid inside the housing, and a collecting device configured to collect the fixing liquid sprayed from the nozzles and did not adhere to the sheet. The collecting device includes a collection tray configured to accommodate the fixing liquid, a collection pipe connected to the collection tray and configured to allow the fixing liquid in the collection tray to pass therethrough, and a collection pump configured to send the fixing liquid in the collection pipe toward the housing.

A drying assembly comprises a plurality of electromagnetic energy sources arranged to dry printing fluid deposited onto a surface of a substrate, by evaporation of a solvent fluid therefrom. The drying assembly further comprises a conveyor system configured to move the substrate in a conveying direction, and a focusing system configured to focus electromagnetic energy from the plurality of electromagnetic energy sources to form a non-uniform heating pattern on the surface of the substrate. The non-uniform heating pattern comprises a plurality of spatially separated higher and lower intensity regions distributed along the conveying direction.

An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an image forming portion for forming an image on the drum and for transferring the image to a sheet, and a fixing portion for fixing the image on the sheet, while heating the sheet in a fixing nip. The fixing portion is provided above the drum, and includes a first roller, a second roller cooperative with the first roller to form the fixing nip, first and second covers for protecting the first and second rollers, respectively, and at least one opening for fluid communication between an inside and an outside of the fixing portion, the opening being provided in the first cover at a position that is lower than a line connecting a rotation axis of the first roller and a rotation axis of the second roller, as seen along a rotational axis of the second roller.

A paper humidifier includes a humidifying roller, a water supply roller, a suction roller and an intermediate roller. The humidifying roller comes in contact with a sheet and humidifies the sheet. The water supply roller is in contact with the humidifying roller and transfers water to the humidifying roller. The suction roller is partially dipped into water stored in a water reservoir. The intermediate roller is provided between the water supply roller and the suction roller, and is in contact with the water supply roller and the suction roller respectively. The intermediate roller is located above a liquid level of the water stored in the water reservoir. An outer peripheral surface of the suction roller, which rises out of the water stored in the water reservoir after being dipped in the water, rotates in a direction away from the water supply roller.

A fixing device is for fixing a developing agent image to a recording sheet by electrostatically spraying a charged fixing solution toward the developing agent image on the sheet. The fixing device includes a container portion, a plurality of nozzles, and a potential difference generating portion. The container portion is configured to store therein the fixing solution. The plurality of nozzles is in communication with the container portion and configured to spray the fixing solution toward the developing agent image. The potential difference generating portion is configured to generate a potential difference between the fixing solution stored in the plurality of nozzles and the recording sheet conveyed at a position separated from the plurality of nozzles.