Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit.

Abstract: A pasting apparatus includes a pasting member operative to paste a non-transparent medium onto an image-formed surface of a transparent medium; and a conveying member that conveys the non-transparent medium to the pasting member by electrostatic adsorption.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of using a recording medium having a transparent portion includes an image forming unit, a fixing unit, and an applicator. The image forming unit forms an image on a face of the recording medium. The fixing unit fixes the image, formed by the image forming unit, on the face of the recording medium. The applicator applies a non-transparent liquid to at least the fixed image on the face of the recording medium.

Abstract: A sheet cutter cuts an adhesion sheet and includes a pair of blades including a first blade including a blade edge and a second blade opposing the first blade and including a blade edge. The pair of blades cuts a border of the adhesion sheet. The adhesion sheet is formed by adhering a first sheet, at least a part of which is transparent and bears a mirror image, to a non-transparent second sheet including an adhesive layer, to oppose the mirror image on the first sheet against the adhesive layer of the second sheet.

Abstract: An image sheet forming method includes supplying a first sheet including a non-transparent layer, and transferring a toner image onto a toner image carrying surface of the first sheet. The method further includes integrating a second sheet, which includes a base layer and a transparent layer, with the first sheet in a manner that the toner image is sandwiched between the toner image carrying surface of the first sheet and the transparent layer of the second sheet. The method further includes separating the base layer from the second sheet while fixing the toner image.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a transparent recording member and a substantially non-transparent member. The transparent recording member has at least one transparent area and a concavo-convex pattern on a first surface thereof while bearing a reverse toner image on a second surface thereof. The substantially non-transparent member is formed on the second surface of the transparent recording member.

Abstract: A sheet laminator includes a bonding unit and a restricting unit. The bonding unit bonds a first sheet to a second sheet that includes an adhesive layer. The restricting unit restricts movement of any one of the first sheet and the second sheet thereby preventing bonding between the first sheet and the second sheet before the first sheet and the second sheet reach the bonding unit.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium conveyed from a sheet feeding unit to obtain an image with photographic quality, at least a part of the recording medium has a transparent portion. When an image obtained by reversing an original image is transferred onto the transparent part, sheet-delivery rollers are operable in a direction in which a pressure onto the recording medium is reduced immediately after fixing of the image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes an image bearing member to bear a latent electrostatic image, a charging device to charge a surface of the image bearing member, an irradiating device to irradiate the surface of the image bearing member to form the latent electrostatic image thereon, a developing device to develop the latent electrostatic image, an optional cleaning unit to clean the surface of the image bearing member, a transfer device to transfer the developed image to an opaque medium, an optional cleaning device to clean a surface of the transfer device, a fixing device to fix the transferred image on the opaque medium, and an attachment device to attach the fixed image to a transparent medium after the opaque medium is overlaid with the transparent medium, and recording media for use in the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image sheet forming method includes supplying a first sheet including a non-transparent layer, and transferring a toner image onto a toner image carrying surface of the first sheet. The method further includes integrating a second sheet, which includes a base layer and a transparent layer, with the first sheet in a manner that the toner image is sandwiched between the toner image carrying surface of the first sheet and the transparent layer of the second sheet. The method further includes separating the base layer from the second sheet while fixing the toner image.

Abstract: A pair of registration rollers align a leading edge of a recording medium having a transparent section and a non-transparent section. A boundary sensor detects a boundary between the transparent section and the non-transparent section. The boundary sensor is provided on a downstream side of a direction of conveying the recording medium by the registration rollers.

Abstract: An image forming device is disclosed that is able to superpose a smooth sheet on a toner image on a recording sheet after common thermal fusing, perform re-melting and solidification, and then separate the smooth sheet, thereby, forming a high-gloss image easily. The image forming device includes a first fusing unit for the common thermal fusing, and a second fusing unit for fusing the toner image on a recording sheet after the common thermal fusing with a gloss application sheet superposed on the toner image, and a separation unit for separating the gloss application sheet from the recording sheet. The gloss application sheet is superposed on the recording sheet with a side of the gloss application sheet projecting out beyond a side of the recording sheet on a downstream side in the conveyance direction, and the gloss application sheet and the recording sheet are directed into the separation unit while being superposed.

Abstract: A disclosed gloss-providing sheet for providing high gloss to a toner image on a recording material by being placed on a toner image surface of the recording material, heated so as to fuse toner, and then separated from the recording material after the toner is cooled and solidified includes: a notification portion that changes a visual state thereof when a temperature of the gloss-providing sheet becomes equal to or lower than a glass transition temperature of the toner.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed, including a fixing device and a sheet storing member. The fixing device performs both tentative fixing and regular fixing. In at least one embodiment, the fixing device performs tentative fixing for tentatively fixing a toner image on a recording sheet. Further, the fixing device performs regular fixing for further fixing the tentatively fixed toner image by contacting a gloss sheet onto the tentatively fixed toner image on the recording sheet. The sheet storing member temporarily stores the recording sheet bearing the tentatively fixed toner image before the recording sheet is sent to the fixing device for the further fixing.

Abstract: A sheet bonding machine bonds together a first sheet and a second sheet including an adhesion layer formed on one side thereof, covered with a release paper, includes a transport unit to transport the first sheet unidirectionally, a feeder to feed the second sheet obliquely toward the first sheet, a separation unit, a reel, an adhesion point, and a tensioner. The release paper is removed from the second sheet by the separation unit located upstream from the contact portion, and reeled by the reel. The second sheet adheres to the first sheet via the adhesion layer 91b at the adhesion point located downstream from the separation unit. The tensioner is located upstream from the separation unit and keeps the second sheet taut.

Abstract: A sheet cutter cuts an adhesion sheet and includes a pair of blades including a first blade including a blade edge and a second blade opposing the first blade and including a blade edge. The pair of blades cuts a border of the adhesion sheet. The adhesion sheet is formed by adhering a first sheet, at least a part of which is transparent and bears a mirror image, to a non-transparent second sheet including an adhesive layer, to oppose the mirror image on the first sheet against the adhesive layer of the second sheet.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier; a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image on the image carrier; a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to a transfer target having ridges and valleys on a surface thereof; an adjusting unit that adjusts a ratio of A/B, where A is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a valley portion of the transfer target while B is a transfer ratio [%] from the image carrier to a ridge portion of the transfer target, based on an adjustment input by a user; and a control unit that controls a transfer condition of the transfer unit based on the ratio of A/B adjusted by the adjusting unit.