Abstract: An intermediate transfer element has at least one or more elastic layers and a toner releasing layer provided on the surface of the elastic layer and has a surface shape including minute projections up to 60 &mgr;m and at least 20 &mgr;m high. By providing the intermediate transfer element with such projections, easy separation with respect to a poorly separable recording medium, such as thin paper is achieved, and an image free from image defects, such as white speckles.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus is capable of restriction or elimination of the occurrence of a density fluctuation, such as a lateral stripe, and thereby can enhance the image quality. The electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, exposure device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body, at least two developers for developing the electrostatic image in mutually distinct colors for respectively forming toner images of mutually distinct colors, a transfer device for transferring the toner images of mutually distinct colors on a printing medium in an overlapping manner, and a fixing device for fixing the toner images transferred onto the printing medium. When one of the developers is maintained inoperative, that developer is forcedly operated for a reset operation thereof.