Imaging devices, imaging apparatus, and methods are provided to improve the development of image recording media. The imaging devices comprise at least a pressing member and at least a first deformable pressure-receiving member. The pressing member is provided with a step feature which is pressed against the first deformable pressure-receiving member. As an image recording medium moves through between the pressing member with the step feature and the deformable pressure-receiving member, a corresponding step difference is formed on the medium where a distinct shear mechanism was experienced. The efficiency of image development is significantly improved as evident by the significant increase in the fresh optical density observed immediately after development even with a reduced applied force.

An image forming system includes an image forming unit, a varnish coating unit, a reception unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit executes an image forming process of forming an image on types of recording media including a first type of recording medium with a coated layer and a second type of recording medium without a coated layer. The varnish coating unit executes a varnish coating process of varnish coating a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit. The reception unit receives a printing job from a user. The control unit controls the varnish coating unit. When the printing job received by the reception unit is a printing job for executing the varnish coating process on the second type of recording medium, the control unit controls the varnish coating unit to prevent the varnish coating unit from executing the varnish coating process.