An image formation system includes a cooling section that cools a sheet in a period after a toner image is fixed on a first surface by a first fixing section and before the toner image is formed on a second surface of the sheet by a second image forming apparatus, and a hardware processor that controls a cooling operation of the cooling section in accordance with a parameter representing a temperature of an image forming section of the second image forming apparatus.

An image forming system includes: a first image forming apparatus including a first fixer that fixes an image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium; a second image forming apparatus including a second fixer that fixes an image formed on the recording medium to the recording medium, the second image forming apparatus being connected to a downstream side of the first image forming apparatus in a transport direction of the recording medium; and a hardware processor that determines first transport control content in which the recording medium is transported in the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, and sets second transport control content so that the recording medium that has been processed by the first fixer is processed in a different position by the second fixer.

An image forming system includes: a first image forming apparatus including a first fixer that fixes an image formed on a recording medium to the recording medium; a second image forming apparatus including a second fixer that fixes an image formed on the recording medium to the recording medium, the second image forming apparatus being connected to a downstream side of the first image forming apparatus in a transport direction of the recording medium; and a hardware processor that determines first transport control content in which the recording medium is transported in the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, and sets second transport control content so that the recording medium that has been processed by the first fixer is processed in a different position by the second fixer.

An image forming apparatus includes a first and second processor. The first processor controls a transport device that transports a sheet and a first image forming section that forms an image on the sheet. The second processor controls a second image forming section that forms an image on the sheet. If an image is to be formed at the second section, the first processor causes the first section to perform image formation preparation and causes the device to transport the sheet upon receiving a notification from the second processor in response to a preparation command transmitted to the second processor for performing image formation preparation in the second section. If an image is not to be formed at the second section, the first processor causes the first section to perform the image formation preparation and the transport device to transport the sheet, without receiving the notification from the second processor.

A controller is configured to: when an inter-sheet time is shorter than or equal to a first time, maintain a developing roller in contact with a photosensitive drum during an inter-sheet time; when the inter-sheet time is longer than the first time and shorter than or equal to a second time longer than the first time, perform, during the inter-sheet time, at least part of temporary separation processing of temporarily separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum in a state where the photosensitive drum is rotating; and when the inter-sheet time is longer than the second time, perform, during the inter-sheet time, at least part of temporary stop processing of separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum and then stopping rotation of the photosensitive drum, and subsequently restarting rotation thereof and then bringing the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive drum.

A controller is configured to: when an inter-sheet time is shorter than or equal to a first time, maintain a developing roller in contact with a photosensitive drum during an inter-sheet time; when the inter-sheet time is longer than the first time and shorter than or equal to a second time longer than the first time, perform, during the inter-sheet time, at least part of temporary separation processing of temporarily separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum in a state where the photosensitive drum is rotating; and when the inter-sheet time is longer than the second time, perform, during the inter-sheet time, at least part of temporary stop processing of separating the developing roller from the photosensitive drum and then stopping rotation of the photosensitive drum, and subsequently restarting rotation thereof and then bringing the developing roller into contact with the photosensitive drum.

An image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic image forming unit and an inkjet image forming unit, thereby being capable of printing an image on each of a front surface and the back surface of a recording medium.

An image forming apparatus includes a first and second processor. The first processor controls a transport device that transports a sheet and a first image forming section that forms an image on the sheet. The second processor controls a second image forming section that forms an image on the sheet. If an image is to be formed at the second section, the first processor causes the first section to perform image formation preparation and causes the device to transport the sheet upon receiving a notification from the second processor in response to a preparation command transmitted to the second processor for performing image formation preparation in the second section. If an image is not to be formed at the second section, the first processor causes the first section to perform the image formation preparation and the transport device to transport the sheet, without receiving the notification from the second processor.

A duplex printing system and method of configuring the same are described. In examples, an image, such as a test pattern, on one side of a print substrate is printed to be out of phase with an image, such as a test pattern, on the other side of the print substrate. This is achieved by adjusting a configuration of a print buffer that is located between first and second print engines of the duplex printing system. In particular examples, a length of a web within the print buffer is controlled such that the images are out of phase.

An image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic image forming unit and an inkjet image forming unit, thereby being capable of printing an image on each of a front surface and the back surface of a recording medium,