Abstract: An image glossiness controller has a main component color specifying unit that identifies a prescribed component color and output identification information thereof. A change in amplitude of a convexoconcavity of a toner layer of the prescribed component color is greatest among those of the other component colors when each of the component color toner is formed and fixed alone. Three or more halftone dot signal generators convert clear toner image information into three or more binary clear toner image signals corresponding to three or more component colors per component color pixel using multiple halftone dot characteristics, respectively. Each of the multiple halftone dot characteristics generating three or more binary clear toner image signals has a reversed phase from that generating three or more binary component color image signals.

Abstract: After at least one toner image is transferred to a medium to which an image is transferred from at least one of a plurality of image forming stations used, at least one toner image is transferred from at least one of the rest of the image forming stations, and this transfer operation is repeated a plurality of times to transfer toner images to the medium to which an image is transferred. In this manner, the toner images on the medium to which an image is transferred are formed using a desired number of color toner including a transparent toner. In addition, the order in which the transparent toner is transferred from the image forming station that is used for the transparent toner and toner other than the transparent toner is transferred from image forming stations in which the transparent toner is not used can be freely or automatically selected.

Abstract: A protective agent for an image bearing member of an image forming apparatus. The protective agent is applied onto a surface of the image bearing member and includes a hydrophobic organic compound (A), an inorganic fine particle (B), and an inorganic lubricant (C).

Abstract: A developing unit develops a latent image on an image carrier with toner. A toner cartridge is detachably arranged in parallel with the developing unit, and supplies the toner to the developing unit. An opening is disposed between the developing unit and the toner cartridge, through which the toner passes. The toner cartridge includes a space forming unit that forms a space in the toner stored in the toner cartridge. The space allows the toner to flow into from the developing unit.

Abstract: A developing device includes a toner supplying roller, a developing roller for transferring the one-component toner to a developing position by performing a developing rotation in an image forming operation and moving away from the developing position, a sealing member arranged in a vicinity of the developing roller, and a toner layer regulating roller arranged in contact with the developing roller. The toner layer regulating roller locks a rotating operation in the image forming operation, regulates the one-component toner which adheres on a surface of the developing roller into a thin layer, and freely follows the developing roller in a non-image forming operation.