Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

An image forming apparatus includes: a printing device which forms an image on a recording medium using ink containing at least pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent, resin particles and water; and a fixing device which makes contact with a surface of the recording medium on which the image is formed and applies heat and pressure to fix the image, wherein a minimum filming temperature) (MFT) of an aqueous dispersion of the resin particles is 60° C. or above, and higher than a minimum filming temperature (MFT) of a dispersion of the resin particles in a mixed liquid combining a water-soluble organic solvent at 25 weight % with respect to the resin particles, and water; and wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a controller which controls temperature of the recording medium in such a manner that, when the temperature of the recording medium in the fixing device is represented by T, the minimum filming temperature (MFT) of mixed liquid dispersion of the resin particles satisfies MFT≦T≦MFT+50 (° C.), and a coating layer is formed on the recording medium, then the temperature of the recording medium is adjusted to or below a temperature at which a coating layer is not broken down.