Abstract: A method and apparatus for fusing a heat curable toner to a carrier sheet having said toner thereon. In the method, the toner is sandwiched between said carrier sheet and a movable fuser belt and heated to a first temperature by a first means, which first temperature is above a first glass transformation temperature of the toner. The toner is kept at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time by a second means, which elevated temperature is above the first glass transformation temperature, thereby raising the glass transformation temperature of the toner to a second glass transformation temperature. The apparatus has at least a first endless fuser belt, first heating means for heating the toner to a first temperature, second heating means located downstream of said first heating means for keeping the toner at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time and control means for controlling the first and second heating means.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet cooling apparatus that cools a sheet while conveying the sheet passed passing through a fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image formed on the sheet by heating the toner image, wherein a second suspension member is arranged so as to press a second endless belt on a circumferential face of a first cooling roller through a first endless belt, a first suspension member is arranged so as to press the first endless belt on a circumferential face of a second cooling roller through the second endless belt, and a curved sheet conveying path is formed between the first endless belt and the second endless belt.

Abstract: A gloss-watermark pattern is produced on a rotatable fixing member including a thermoplastic layer having a surface and a selected thickness. Particles having a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa are applied in a selected deposition pattern to a selected area of a pressure member. The pressure member and the fixing member are pressed together so that the applied particles indent the surface of the fixing member to form the gloss-watermark pattern. The pressure member and the fixing member can then be mechanically separated and a printed image on a receiver can be fixed using the fixing member having the gloss-watermark pattern. A gloss watermark corresponding to the gloss-watermark pattern is thus formed on the printed image.

Abstract: A color image forming method, including: forming electrostatic latent image on electrostatic latent image bearing member; developing the image to form visible image with at least two toners containing releasing agent and selected from black, magenta, cyan and yellow toners; transferring the visible image to recording medium; fixing the transferred image thereon with fixing member having no releasing agent on surface thereof; and forming overcoat layer on the fixed image by polymerizing overcoat composition, wherein when lightness-L1, chromaticity-a1 and so chromaticity-b1 according to L*a*b* color system of the fixed image formed with the at least two toners and lightness-L2, chromaticity-a2 and chromaticity-b2 of the fixed image after the overcoat composition is dropped at 0.4 mg/cm2 from height of 10 mm above the fixed image and the overcoat composition is removed after 10 seconds have passed are applied to the following formula (1), color difference ?E* is 3.0 to 30.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transparent image forming device for forming a transparent toner image on a sheet with a transparent toner in an amount per unit area; a manual selector for selecting an image area in which the transparent toner image is to be formed and for selecting the amount per unit area; a heating device for heating the transparent toner image formed on the sheet; a glossing device for processing the transparent toner image formed on the sheet so that glossiness is higher than that by the heating device; a mode selector for selecting a first mode in which the glossing device is not used and a second mode in which the glossing device is used; and a controlling device for controlling the amount per unit area of the transparent toner in the image area so as to be not less than a predetermined amount in the second mode.

Abstract: A control apparatus configured to control an image forming system, in forming a transparent image so as to cover color images fixed on a sheet, applies a transparent toner on an area on which an image can be formed and which is other than an area that a user desires to increase the glossiness thereof.

Abstract: A glossing device for imparting gloss to a toner image formed on a recording medium includes a plurality of rollers, a looped, endless belt, a pressure member, a belt cooler, and a belt retention mechanism. The plurality of rollers is disposed generally parallel to each other, and includes a heat roller subjected to heating. The looped, endless belt is entrained around the plurality of rollers for conveying the recording medium in a longitudinal, conveyance direction thereof. The pressure member is disposed opposite the heat roller to press against the heat roller via the belt to form a glossing nip therebetween, through which the recording medium passes. The belt cooler is disposed inside the loop of the belt to cool the belt during movement between the glossing nip and the separation position.

Abstract: An image forming method including forming a toner image on a transfer medium with a toner comprising a wax having a polar group, and applying a varnish to the toner image. The wax may be a plant wax having an ester group, a wax having a polar group derived from a fatty acid, an oxidized wax, or a mixture thereof. The varnish may include a surfactant, such as a polyoxyethylene glycol, and may be photocurable.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a non-transparent image forming apparatus including a first image forming station for forming a non-transparent toner image and for transferring the non-transparent toner image onto a recording material, and a transparent image forming apparatus including a second image forming station for forming a transparent toner image and for transferring the transparent toner image onto the recording material discharged from a first image heating unit. Formation of images as a combination of the non-transparent image and the transparent image is capable on both sides of the recording material by controlling a first re-feeding unit and a second re-feeding unit.

Abstract: An overcoat composition for electrophotography includes at least one of compounds having the following formulae (1) to (3): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and n represents an integer of from 4 to 6; and wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and a and b independently represent an integer of from 1 to 5 on the condition that a+b is from 4 to 6.

Abstract: An image forming system includes an image forming device configured to form an image on a recording material using a color toner and a transparent toner, a fixing device, a glossing device that has a conveying device which conveys the recording material, a heating device heating the recording material, and a cooling device cooling the recording material, and a controller controlling said image forming device so that an amount of the transparent toner per unit area on the recording material in a first image forming mode in which the image is formed using said fixing device and said glossing device is smaller than the amount of the transparent toner per unit area on the recording material in a second image forming mode in which the image is formed using said fixing device without using said glossing device.

Abstract: A system for generating a differential gloss image useful for digital printing includes a image production system, a pre-heating system for heating a marking material image formed by the image production system, and an imaging system for forming a differential gloss image on the pre-heated marking material image.

Abstract: Read image data is segmented into a plurality of regions in accordance with the attribute of the image data. A region to be printed using a transparent toner is set in accordance with the attributes of the plurality of segmented regions. A preview of the image represented by the image data is displayed, in which the region set to be printed using the transparent toner is distinguished from the remaining regions. An instruction to change the region to be printed using the transparent toner is accepted based on the displayed preview. Print data for the transparent toner to print, using the transparent toner, a region determined based on the change instruction to be printed using the transparent toner is generated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a mode setting section configured to set an operation mode in a manner that the image forming apparatus is operated in an erasing mode if an erasing operation is instructed, a supplying section configured to supply a medium on which the image formation is completed, and which is set in an designated or specified receiving section, a decoloring section configured to decolor the color of the formed image by carrying the medium to a heating section that includes at least heating and decoloring function, and a return section configured to return the operation mode to a predetermined mode except for the erasing mode from the erasing mode, when the last medium on which the image formation is completed and which is set in the receiving section is decolored.

Abstract: In a cooling device that includes a cooling roller that comprises a hollow tubular member and a cooling medium transport unit for transporting a cooling liquid to the inside of the cooling roller and contacts a sheet-like member to cool down the paper, a turbulence generating unit that generates turbulence in a cooling liquid is disposed near an inner wall of the outer tube.

Abstract: A system for heated gas fusing of toner on non-porous substrates is provided. The system uses (1) an extended fusing zone held at lower temperatures than needed for a roll nip or radiant fuser, and (2) a very low melt toner which can be fused at greatly reduced temperatures compared to conventional toners. In one form, the system is realized through (a) the use of heated gas as the low temperature extended zone fusing technology, and (b) the use of ultra-low melt (ULM) toner—which requires significantly reduced temperature compared to conventional toner. On non-porous packaging substrates the use of heated gas can limit the substrate temperature to 100° C.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device that conveys a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus. The sheet conveying device includes an air intake fan that takes in external air; an air exhaust fan that discharges internal air; a plurality of branched conveying paths which are branched from a conveying path within a range from a sheet entrance to a sheet exit and for which a passing time of the sheet is approximately the same; a conveyance motor that independently conveys the sheet to each one of the branched conveying paths; a conveying path switching unit that switches among the branched conveying paths; and a conveying path control unit that causes the conveying path switching unit to sequentially switch among the branched conveying paths every time the sheet is input from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on a recording medium; a transfer unit that carries a layer of the UV-curable resin thereon and transfers a UV-curable resin to the recording medium, on which the image forming unit has formed the unfixed toner image, by making the UV-curable resin contact the recording medium; and an irradiation unit that irradiates the UV-curable resin transferred to the recording medium with UV rays.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, a glossiness imparting unit that imparts glossiness to the image formed on the recording medium, and a glossiness reducing unit that reduces the glossiness of at least a part of the image to which the glossiness has been imparted by the glossiness imparting unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus transfers a negative toner image on a waste sheet of paper having larger size than that of a printing sheet of paper and transfers all the toner images on the printing sheet of paper. A first thermal transferring portion transfers an unnecessary foil of a foil sheet on the negative toner image of the waste sheet of paper image. A second thermal transferring portion transfers a foil remained on the foil sheet on the positive toner image of the printing sheet of paper. The positive toner image is formed using transparent toner. Any gradation processing is performed on an edge of the positive toner image.

Abstract: By using a high or low viscosity transparent toner, with respect to the other color toners, and different amounts of transparent toner lay-down, the gloss of an image printed by an electrophotographic device may be adjusted. By also applying the transparent toner as a negative mask, the differential gloss of the image may be reduced while still adjusting the gloss of certain portions of the image. Further, because different gloss levels may appear different at different viewing angles, transparent toner may be laid down to encode a transparent image within the image being printed. Such a transparent image may be useful as, for example, an authentication means for a document. Additionally, by varying the gloss levels on particular aspects of a printed image, multiple images of different gloss levels, which are prominent at different viewing angles can be made, thereby, a three-dimensional image effect can be achieved on the printed page.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glossing device with a cooling and separating belt which has a high wear resistance and is allowed to maintain the initial surface property over a long period of time. In the glossing device, the cooling and separating belt has a front surface formed of a cured resin containing a structural unit derived from urethane(meth)acrylate (A) having three or more(meth)acryloyloxy groups per molecule, a structural unit derived from a polyfunctional monomer (B) having three or more(meth)acryloyloxy groups per molecule and no urethane bond, and a structural unit derived from fluorine-modified acrylate (C). The cured resin contains 18 to 63% by mass of the structural unit derived from the urethane(meth)acrylate (A), 18 to 63% by mass of the structural unit derived from the polyfunctional monomer (B), and 10 to 40% by mass of the structural unit derived from the fluorine-modified acrylate (C).

Abstract: A method and system for enabling an image production device to generate differential gloss for a print includes exposing a toner image of a material to laser to cause one or more portions of the toner image to melt. The material includes the toner image and a substrate. The substrate is to remain substantially unaffected by the laser.

Abstract: A composite color toner image can be enhanced by applying a separate fluorescing toner image over it to provide an enhanced color toner image having a “pinkish” fluorescing effect. This separate fluorescing toner image is obtained using visible fluorescing dry magenta toner particles. Each of these toner particles consists essentially of a polymeric binder phase and a visible fluorescing colorant that emits at one or more peak wavelengths of at least 510 nm and up to and including 590 nm and that is dispersed within the polymeric binder phase.

Abstract: A guide path branched downward from a conveyance path for guiding a sheet having a toner image fixed thereon to a sheet discharge tray, a switchback path, and an inversed discharge path guide the sheet once, and then guide the sheet to the sheet discharge tray with its front and back surfaces and its leading and trailing edges in a sheet conveyance direction reversed. A fan supplies air between a sheet discharged by a sheet discharge roller and a sheet already discharged onto the sheet discharge tray from a supply opening provided below the sheet discharge roller. A control portion for controlling a blowing operation of the fan selectively operates the fan when discharging the sheet after passing the sheet through the guide path, the switchback path, and the inversed discharge path.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion configured to form and heat-fix a toner image on a recording material; a re-conveying path configured to re-convey the recording material having the toner image on a front side, to the image forming portion to form and heat-fix a toner image on a back side of the recording material; a glossing portion configured to increase glossiness of the toner image; and an executing device configured to execute a high-gloss mode for glossing the toner image on the back side into a high-gloss toner image, and a partial-gloss mode for forming a partial-gloss toner image having glossiness lower than glossiness of the toner image in the high-gloss mode without glossing the toner image on the back side, wherein the glossing portion is provided in the re-conveying path.

Abstract: A print control apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store therein a plurality of surface-effect selection tables for respective pieces of recording medium information on a recording medium. Different types of same surface effects are registered in each of the surface-effect selection tables. The print control apparatus also includes a determining unit configured to determine a surface-effect selection table corresponding to a piece of recording medium information from the storage unit; an image data generating unit configured to generate image data based on the determined surface-effect selection table and based on gloss-control plane data in which a type of a surface effect to be applied to the recording medium and an area of the recording medium to which the surface effect is to be applied are specified; and an output unit configured to output the image data.

Abstract: An image forming system including an image forming device forming on a recording sheet a first chromatic toner image, and a second chromatic toner image having an outermost layer of transparent toner, wherein the transparent toner has lower glass transition temperature than the chromatic toners; a fixing device having a fixing member contacting the recording sheet to heat the toner images to temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the chromatic toners so that the toner images are fixed; and a glossing device having a glossing member contacting the recording sheet to heat the toner images to temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the transparent toner and lower than the glass transition temperatures of the chromatic toners so that only the transparent toner achieves a rubber state and to cool the heated first and second toner images so that the transparent toner is solidified.

Abstract: Methods are provided for automatic cross-track density correction for a print engine having a print head that forms lines of picture elements on a receiver based upon lines of pixel values. In one aspect of the method, the print engine is caused to print a first print having a plurality of different areas along a cross-track direction with target densities and data is received from which measured densities for different ones of the plurality of different areas can be determined. A line density adjustment function is based upon a functional relationship between a cross track position of different ones of the areas and a difference between the measured density and the target density at the different ones of the areas. A production print is subsequently printed according to lines of pixel values for the production print modulated by the line density adjustment function.

Abstract: Methods for operating a printer to form a combination print with improved appearance are provided. In one aspect first receiver is provided with a first thickness at a first edge and having a first toner image on a first side with toner in an overlap area proximate the first edge. The first edge and overlap area are overlapped with a second receiver having a second thickness at a second edge; and the first receiver and second receiver are fused to cause any toner thereon to fuse such that the toner in the overlap area bonds the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of artifacts created by the overlapping second edge. Printed articles are also provided.

Abstract: A cooling device including a heat pipe to cool a sheet, a radiator provided to an end of the heat pipe, and a duct accommodating the radiator and having a closably openable cover member. The cover member is openable to enable attachment and detachment of the heat pipe to and from the cooling device in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier that carries a first toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the first toner image on the image carrier onto a recording medium directly or through an intermediate transfer body, a fixing unit that fixes the first toner image that has been transferred onto the recording medium, and a glossiness-controlling unit that forms a second toner image made of clear toner on the recording medium in accordance with an amount of toner that forms the first toner image to be transferred onto the recording medium, thereby controlling a glossiness on a surface of the recording medium that has been subjected to the fixing performed by the fixing unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes control device for selectively executing a first mode in which the non-transparent toner image is formed, then the transparent toner image is formed on the sheet not yet heated, then the sheet is subjected to the heating or a second mode in which the non-transparent toner image is formed, then the transparent toner image is formed on the sheet subjected to the heating, then the sheet is subjected to the heating; and storing device for storing selection information compared with information of amount of the non-transparent toner image, wherein the selection information indicates which mode provides larger difference in glossiness of the image fixed by the fixing device between when the transparent toner image of a predetermined amount is overlaid on the non-transparent toner image of a amount to be formed on the sheet and when the transparent toner image is not overlaid.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a color image forming apparatus including: a color image forming portion for forming a color toner image on a surface of a recording material; a first fixing device including a first fixing portion; a second fixing device including a second fixing portion; image forming and a third fixing device for fixing a transparent toner image at a third fixing portion; and a controller for controlling a switching mechanism so that the conveyance direction of the recording material is switched to the bypass direction of the second fixing portion, or to the direction toward the second fixing portion based on whether or not the color image forming portion is subjectd to formation of the transparent toner image by the transparent image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image decolorizing device according to an embodiment comprises a heating unit configured to generate heat and apply the heat to a recording medium, and a pressure roller that forms a nip with the heating unit. The image decolorizing device further comprises a first contact part positioned in contact with the heating unit at a first position upstream of the nip in a rotation direction of the heating unit and fixed in the rotating direction, and a second contact part positioned in contact with the heating unit at a second position upstream of the nip in the rotation direction and fixed in the rotating direction. In the image decolorizing device, the first and second contact parts are configured to apply a voltage to the heating unit causing the heating unit to generate heat over a heating area between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a fixing unit configured to fix on a recording medium, a toner image formed on the recording medium, through heating and pressurization and a gloss control unit configured to lower gloss of a surface of the toner image by charging the surface of the toner image fixed onto the recording medium and heating the toner image such that toner contained in the toner image reaches a softening point or higher thereof.

Abstract: A system and printer are provided for fusing toner on a receiver medium having a toner pile that extends at least about 50 ?m above a receiver. In one aspect, a system has a first energy source to apply a first energy to raise a temperature of a first portion of the toner pile to a range of elevated temperature levels below a glass transition temperature of the toner and a second energy source to apply a second energy to raise a temperature of a second portion of the toner pile above the glass transition temperature and to allow the second portion to transfer energy to the first portion. The second energy is provided at a level that allows the transferred energy to raise the temperature of the first portion from the range of elevated levels to a range of temperatures above the glass transition temperature for the toner.

Abstract: A problem that setting (setting the kind of a paper or a printout method) for achieving the print effect (gloss effect or matte effect) at a maximum is very complicated and therefore, a manual setting thereof by a user is very difficult. When image data which a user desires to print and a desire for a print effect to transparent form image data are input, the paper type, conversion of the transparent form image data and a printout method for realizing the print effect are automatically set and printed out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling device that includes a cooling part that is movably provided between a first position and a second position different from the first position with respect to an image forming apparatus main body and cools a periphery thereof with a cooling medium to be supplied; a cooling medium supply part that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body and cools and supplies the cooling medium to the cooling part; and a connecting member that connects the cooling part to the cooling medium supply part to circulate the cooling medium between the cooling part and the cooling medium supply part; wherein the connecting member is configured to include a flexible member and spirally provided with a moving direction of the cooling part as an axis center.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that forms an image on a recording medium, a fixing portion that heats and fixes an image on a recording medium after forming the image, a feed path that conveys a recording medium after heating and fixing by the fixing portion, a first pair of feed rollers composed of two feed rollers provided in the feed path, and a cooling mechanism that sends cooling air to a nip portion of the pair of feed rollers or to the vicinity thereof. The cooling mechanism increases a cooling air volume when a recording medium is held between the first pair of feed rollers in comparison to the time when the recording medium is not held between the first pair of feed rollers.

Abstract: A control apparatus configured to control an image forming system, in forming a transparent toner on a sheet having color toners formed and fixed thereon, applies a transparent toner on an area on which an image can be formed and which is other than an area that a user desires to reduce the glossiness thereof.

Abstract: Color reproduction data of a print obtained by forming an image on a print medium corresponding to an input type thereof, and spectral data of a laminate film corresponding to an input type thereof are acquired. A reference color is determined based on color information of a designated color to be reproduced on a protective-film-covered print. Based on the acquired color reproduction data and the acquired spectral data, the determined reference color is converted into another reference color depending on the print without the laminate film thereon. A color value depending on a color patch that is selected as a color closest to the designated color, under a condition where the laminate film is not laminated, from a designated color adjusting color chart printed based on color values depending on the converted other reference color or colors close to the other reference color, is acquired.

Abstract: The invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a ripple or curling of the sheet and stabilizing feedability or loadability of the sheet. The image forming apparatus includes an aqueous solution applying portion that applies the aqueous solution containing the deliquescent material for hindering evaporation of moisture to the sheet where the toner image has been thermally fixed by the fixing portion, and a controller that controls so that a concentration of the deliquescent material of the aqueous solution applied to the sheet using the aqueous solution applying portion is changed depending on the basis weight of the sheet.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a toner image on a recording medium includes a first fixing station. The first fixing station includes a fixing roller to rotate about a shaft in a predetermined direction, a pressing roller to rotate and contact the fixing roller to form a nip therebetween through which a recording medium bearing a toner image passes to fix the toner image by heat and pressure, a positioning mechanism to change the position of the pressing roller, a sheet separator disposed downstream from the nip to move in conjunction with movement of the pressing roller without changing relative positions with respect to the fixing roller, and a bracket disposed rotatable about the shaft of the fixing roller, to hold the sheet separator. A portion of the bracket contacts a portion of the positioning mechanism to be positioned in place.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device for heating and pressing a toner image on a recording medium, a non-contact heating device arranged downstream of the fixing device for heating the toner image without coming into contact with the toner image, and a pressure contact device arranged downstream of the non-contact heating device and having a smooth surface. The pressure contact device has first and second arrangement states switched according to the kind of the recording medium. In the first arrangement state, the pressure contact device is arranged so as to make pressure contact with the toner image. In the second arrangement state, the pressure contact device is arranged so as not to make pressure contact with the toner image.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprising a first engine for performing a print using a first print material connectable to a feed unit of a second engine for performing a print using a second print material is provided. The printing apparatus comprise a first controller configured to control the first engine and a second controller configured to control the second engine. Power control unit of the second controller configured to restrict consumption power of the image processing unit of the second controller in a case that transmitted information for the second engine from the first controller does not include the data to be processed by the second engine.

Abstract: An image forming method includes: performing a first gloss processing and a second gloss processing. The first gloss processing includes: heating and pressing a processed body which supports a first toner layer containing at least a clear toner [X] onto a first surface of a recording material, while allowing the first toner layer to be closely adhered to a gloss processing belt; and cooling the same. The second gloss processing includes heating and pressing a processed body which supports a second toner layer containing at least a clear toner [Y] onto a second surface of the recording material, while allowing the second toner layer to be closely adhered to the gloss processing belt; and cooling the same. Here, a storage elastic modulus G? X (150) at 150° C. of the clear toner [X] is lower than a storage elastic modulus G? Y (150) at 150° C. of the clear toner [Y].

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit which forms a chromatic toner image and a clear toner image on a recording material, and a fixing unit which fixes these toner images on the recording material, the image forming apparatus including a specifying unit, into which a level of image clarity and a level of gloss including a glossiness of an image are input for image formation; and a control unit that controls an adhesion amount of clear toner per unit area on the recording material based on input information on the image specified by the specifying unit.

Abstract: An image forming method including forming an image of a toner including a wax on a recording medium; fixing the toner image using by an oil-less fixing device; and then forming an overcoat layer on the fixed toner image. When a portion of the fixed toner image having the heaviest toner weight is subjected to an ATR FT-IR analysis, a peak area ratio Ab/Aa falls in a range of 3.0 to 7.0 or a peak area ratio Ab?/Aa? falls in a range of 0.004 to 0.014, wherein Aa represents the area of a peak present in a range of 2896 cm?1 to 2943 cm?1, Ab represents the area of a peak present in a range of 2946 cm?1 to 2979 cm?1, Aa? represents the area of a peak present in a range of 791 cm?1 to 860 cm?1, and Ab? represents the area of a peak present in a range of 2834 cm?1 to 2862 cm?1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a color toner image forming unit that forms a color toner image on a recording medium; a first colorless transparent toner image forming unit that forms a first colorless transparent toner image on the color toner image; a first fixing unit that fixes the image on the recording medium; a gloss level increasing device that increases a gloss level of the entire image on the recording medium that has been fixed; a second colorless transparent toner image forming unit that forms a second colorless transparent toner image on the image whose gloss level has been increased; and a second fixing unit that fixes the second colorless transparent toner image on the recording medium.