Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can perform appropriate post-processing regardless of the transport speed of the recording medium. [Solution] The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium that is transported from upstream to downstream. The image forming apparatus has an ink ejection unit for ejecting ink onto the recording medium, and an active light irradiation unit for irradiating the recording medium, which has been ejected with ink and is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the active light irradiation area, with the active light irradiation unit irradiating the recording medium with active light such that when the active light irradiation area is divided into two parts at the center in the transport direction of the recording medium, the maximum illuminance of the active light is located on the downstream side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An inkjet image forming method is used in various fields because it can form an image simply and at low cost. As an inkjet image forming method, there is known a method in which inkjet ink is landed on a recording medium and then irradiated with active light to cure the inkjet ink (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In recent years, in the field of digital commercial printing using active light curable inkjet ink, higher image quality and higher speed have been demanded. With the increase in the speed of inkjet printing, it is necessary to increase the amount of active light emitted from a light source in order to ensure the integrated light amount required to cure the inkjet ink.

[0003] s Patent Document 1 describes an image forming method in which active light curable inkjet ink is landed on a recording medium and then irradiated with ultraviolet light to cure the active light curable inkjet ink. In the image forming method described in Patent Document 1, the pinning performance is enhanced by adding a gelling agent to the active light curable inkjet ink. The gelling agent highly viscosifies the inkjet ink by lowering the temperature and precipitating (solidifying) when the inkjet ink lands on the recording medium. Also, in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the irradiated ultraviolet light has a unimodal irradiation distribution.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the image forming method described in Patent Document 1, the precipitation of wax components during the curing process creates irregularities on the dot surface, resulting in a decrease in gloss. On the other hand, with the increasing speed of inkjet printing, the time between the inkjet ink landing on the recording medium and the irradiation of active light has shortened. By increasing the intensity of the active light, dot adhesion begins before the precipitation of wax components begins, resulting in a smooth dot surface and the inability to obtain the desired gloss.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can obtain a desired gloss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium that is transported from upstream to downstream, comprising: an ink ejection unit for ejecting ink onto the recording medium; and an active light irradiation unit for irradiating the recording medium, which is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the active light irradiation area after the ink has been ejected, with the active light irradiation unit irradiating the recording medium with active light such that when the active light irradiation area is divided into two parts at the center in the transport direction of the recording medium, the maximum illuminance of the active light is located on the downstream side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus can be provided that can obtain a desired gloss. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2A shows an example of the illuminance distribution in the active light irradiation area, and Figure 2B shows the arrangement of the light sources. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B are other diagrams showing the arrangement of light sources. [Figure 4] Figures 4A and 4B show the relationship between the first shielding reflective member and the illuminance distribution. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] (Configuration of an image forming apparatus) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The printing method in the image forming apparatus 10 is not particularly limited as long as it uses an ink that hardens when irradiated with active light. Examples of printing methods include inkjet and offset printing. In this embodiment, an inkjet image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a head carriage 11 for housing a plurality of inkjet heads 21, an ink supply unit 12 for supplying inkjet ink to the head carriage 11, an active light irradiation unit 13 located downstream of the head carriage 11 (in the transport direction of the recording medium W), and a moving unit 14 located along the transport path of the recording medium W for moving the recording medium W. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 performs image formation by moving the stage of the moving unit 14 to a placement area A for placing the recording medium W, a discharge area B for ejecting inkjet ink, and an active light irradiation area C for irradiating with active light. In this embodiment, the placement area A, the discharge area B, and the active light irradiation area C are arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path of the recording medium W.

[0014] In placement area A, the recording medium W is placed on the stage 51 of the moving unit 14, and the recording medium W on which the image has been formed is removed from the stage 51. The method of placing the recording medium W on the stage 51 and the method of removing the recording medium W from the stage 51 are not particularly limited. Either method may be performed automatically by another device, or it may be performed manually by the user.

[0015] In the ejection area B, inkjet ink is ejected onto the recording medium W from multiple inkjet heads 21.

[0016] In the activated light irradiation area C, activated light is irradiated by the activated light irradiation unit 13, causing the inkjet ink to harden and form an image.

[0017] The head carriage 11 is positioned in the ejection area B so as to cover the entire width of the recording medium W, and houses a plurality of inkjet heads 21, one for each color. The head carriage 11 is positioned in the ejection area B downstream of the arrangement area A and upstream of the active light irradiation area C. The number of head carriages 11 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the number of head carriages 11 is the same as the number of inkjet ink colors.

[0018] The inkjet head 21 ejects the inkjet ink supplied from the ink supply unit 12 onto the recording medium W. A plurality of inkjet heads 21 are arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording medium W for each color. The number of inkjet heads 21 arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording medium W is set according to the nozzle density of the inkjet head 21 and the resolution of the printed image. For example, when forming an image with a resolution of 1440 dpi using an inkjet head 21 with a droplet volume of 2 pL and a nozzle density of 360 dpi, four inkjet heads 21 may be arranged shifted with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium W. Further, when forming an image with a resolution of 720×720 dpi using an inkjet head 21 with a droplet volume of 6 pL and a nozzle density of 360 dpi, two inkjet heads 21 may be arranged shifted. Dpi represents the number of ink droplets (dots) per 2.54 cm.

[0019] The ink supply unit 12 supplies the inkjet ink to the inkjet head 21. The ink supply unit 12 includes a tank 31 in which the inkjet ink is stored and an ink flow path 32 connecting the tank 31 and the inkjet head 21.

[0020] The inkjet ink is preferably an active ray-curable ink containing a gelling agent. The inkjet ink contains a photopolymerizable compound, a photoinitiator, and a gelling agent.

[0021] The photopolymerizable compound is a compound that crosslinks or polymerizes upon irradiation with active rays. The photopolymerizable compound may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The photopolymerizable compound is a radical-polymerizable compound or a cationic-polymerizable compound, and a radical-polymerizable compound is preferred. The total content of the photopolymerizable compound in the inkjet ink is preferably in the range of 1 to 97% by mass, and more preferably in the range of 30 to 95% by mass. <​Photopolymerization initiators are classified into intramolecular bond cleavage type and intramolecular hydrogen abstraction type. The content of the photopolymerization initiator is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10.0% by mass of the total inkjet ink, and more preferably in the range of 2.0 to 8.0% by mass.

[0023] The gelling agent has the function of reversibly inducing a sol-gel phase transition in the inkjet ink with temperature. The gelling agent must dissolve in a photopolymerizable compound or the like at a temperature at least higher than the gelation temperature, and crystallize in the inkjet ink at a temperature below the gelation temperature. The gelling agent content in the inkjet ink is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 7.0% by mass, and more preferably in the range of 1.0 to 5.0% by mass, relative to the total amount of inkjet ink.

[0024] The tank 31 is connected to the head carriage 11 via an ink channel 32. From the viewpoint of stably ejecting ink droplets, a heating mechanism is provided (not shown) for heating the ink in the tank 31, ink channel 32, head carriage 11, and inkjet head 21 to a predetermined temperature.

[0025] The active light irradiation unit 13 receives inkjet ink ejected from the inkjet head 21 and irradiates the recording medium W in the active light irradiation area C with active light. The active light irradiation unit 13 is located downstream of the ejection area B. The center of the active light irradiation unit 13 is located downstream of the center of the recording medium W in the transport direction. The active light irradiation unit 13 includes a plurality of light sources 41 and a housing 42 that includes a first shielding reflective member 45 located upstream of the transport direction of the recording medium W and a second shielding reflective member 46 located downstream of the transport direction of the recording medium W.

[0026] The light source 41 irradiates the inkjet ink with active light. The number of light sources 41 is not particularly limited as long as there are multiple light sources. The type of active light emitted from the light source 41 is appropriately set according to the type of inkjet ink. The type of active light is, for example, ultraviolet light. The peak wavelength of the active light emitted by the light source 41 is preferably in the range of 360 to 420 nm, and more preferably in the range of 380 to 410 nm. The light source 41 is not particularly limited, but a surface-emitting LED is preferred, and a surface-emitting UV-LED is more preferred. A surface-emitting UV-LED includes a substrate and a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged thereon, and may further include lenses or diffusers in front of the light-emitting elements as needed to adjust the focusing and diffusion of light.

[0027] Figure 2A shows an example of the illuminance distribution in the active light irradiation region C, and Figure 2B shows the arrangement of the light source 41. Figures 3A and 3B are other diagrams showing the arrangement of the light source 41. In Figure 2A, the horizontal axis indicates the irradiation position, and the vertical axis indicates the illuminance. In Figures 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, the left side is the upstream side in the transport direction of the recording medium W, and the right side is the downstream side.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2A, the light source 41 is positioned to irradiate the active light ray area C such that, when the area is divided into two halves in the center of the transport direction of the recording medium W, the maximum illuminance of the active light ray is located on the downstream side. The arrangement of the light source 41 is not particularly limited as long as the maximum illuminance of the active light ray is located on the downstream side of the area C. Multiple light sources 41 may be arranged randomly, in a staggered pattern, or multiple rows of light source arrays 43 containing multiple light sources 41 may be arranged. From the viewpoint of easily setting the maximum illuminance of the active light ray, it is preferable that the multiple light sources 41 be arranged so as to have multiple rows of light source arrays 43 containing multiple light sources 41. The number of light source arrays 43 arranged on the upstream side of the area C and the number of light source arrays 43 arranged on the downstream side of the area C are not particularly limited. Here, we will describe the case where multiple light source arrays 43 are arranged on both the upstream and downstream sides.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2B, the active light irradiation unit 13 has a plurality of light source rows 43 arranged in the transport direction of the recording medium W, and each of the plurality of light source rows 43 may include a plurality of light sources 41 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium W. In the example shown in Figure 2B, the active light irradiation unit 13 has 6 rows of light source rows 43, and each light source row 43 contains 7 light sources 41. In addition, 3 rows of light source rows 43 are arranged on the upstream side and 3 rows of light source rows 43 are arranged on the downstream side. The arrangement density of one or more rows of light source rows 43 on the upstream side is arranged to be lower than the arrangement density of one or more rows of light source rows 43 on the downstream side. In the example shown in Figure 2B, each light source row 43 is arranged such that the distance between the 3 rows of light source rows 43 on the upstream side is longer than the distance between the 3 rows of light source rows 43 on the downstream side. As a result, the maximum illuminance of the active light is located on the downstream side of the active light irradiation area C.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3A, the active light irradiation unit 13 has a plurality of light source rows 43 arranged in the transport direction of the recording medium W, and each of the plurality of light source rows 43 may include a plurality of light sources 41 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium W. In the example shown in Figure 3A, the active light irradiation unit 13 has 6 rows of light source rows 43, and the number of light sources 41 included in each light source row 43 is different. Also, 3 rows of light source rows 43 are arranged on the upstream side and 3 rows of light source rows 43 are arranged on the downstream side. The number of light sources 41 in the upstream light source rows 43 is arranged to be less than the number of light sources 41 in the downstream light source rows 43. In the example shown in Figure 3A, each light source row 43 is arranged such that the distance between the 3 rows of light source rows 43 on the upstream side is the same as the distance between the 3 rows of light source rows 43 on the downstream side. The number of light sources 41 included in the light source row 43 is arranged to increase from the upstream side to the downstream side. As a result, the maximum illuminance of the active light is located on the downstream side of the active light irradiation area C.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3B, the active light irradiation unit 13 has a plurality of light source rows 43 arranged in the transport direction of the recording medium W, and each of the plurality of light source rows 43 includes a plurality of light sources 41 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium W. Furthermore, three rows of light source rows 43 are arranged on the upstream side and three rows of light source rows 43 are arranged on the downstream side. In addition, the number of light sources 41 included in each light source row 43 is the same (7). The brightness of the plurality of light sources 41 on the upstream side is lower than the brightness of the plurality of light sources 41 on the downstream side. In the example shown in Figure 3B, the light sources 41 are arranged such that the brightness of the light sources 41 on the upstream side is lower than the brightness of the light sources 41 on the downstream side. As a result, the maximum illuminance of the active light is located on the downstream side of the active light irradiation area C.

[0032] Multiple light sources 41 may be arranged by combining the distance between the light source rows 43, the number of light sources 41 in the light source row 43, and the difference in brightness of the light sources 41, such that the maximum illuminance of the active light is located downstream of the active light irradiation area C.

[0033] The housing 42 supports multiple light sources 41 and defines the irradiation range of the active light rays emitted from the light sources 41. The housing 42 includes a top plate 44, two side wall members (not shown), a first shielding reflective member 45, and a second shielding reflective member 46.

[0034] The top plate 44 is positioned opposite the recording medium W being transported. In this embodiment, the top plate 44 has a rectangular shape in plan view, with side wall members connected to two opposing sides along the transport direction of the recording medium W, and a first shielding reflective member 45 and a second shielding reflective member 46 connected to the other two opposing sides. Multiple light sources 41 are arranged on the inner surface of the top plate 44.

[0035] The two side wall members define the irradiation range of the active light in the width direction of the recording medium W.

[0036] The first shielding reflective member 45 is positioned upstream of the active light irradiation area C and defines the irradiation range of the active light upstream of the active light irradiation area C. The upper end of the first shielding reflective member 45 is connected to the top plate 44. The first shielding reflective member 45 is inclined to move away from the recording medium W as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction along the transport direction of the recording medium W. The inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 with respect to the perpendicular of the recording medium W is, for example, in the range of 5 to 80°. The first shielding reflective member 45 is configured to allow adjustment of its inclination angle. The method for adjusting the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is not particularly limited. The method for adjusting the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 may be configured to adjust automatically or to adjust manually.

[0037] Figures 4A and 4B show the relationship between the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 and the illuminance distribution. In Figures 4A and 4B, the dotted lines show the case where the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is increased, and the dashed lines show the case where the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is decreased.

[0038] As shown by the dotted lines in Figures 4A and 4B, when the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 (angle with respect to the perpendicular of the recording medium W) increases, the illuminance distribution on the upstream side widens and the illuminance on the upstream side decreases. On the other hand, as shown by the dashed lines in Figures 4A and 4B, when the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 (angle with respect to the perpendicular of the recording medium W) decreases, the illuminance distribution on the upstream side narrows and the illuminance on the upstream side increases. In this way, the illuminance distribution on the upstream side can be adjusted by adjusting the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45.

[0039] The inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is preferably adjusted based on user instructions, ink density, ink type, temperature of the recording medium, or transport speed of the recording medium.

[0040] For example, in the event of user instructions, the user can determine the curing state of the inkjet ink and adjust the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 accordingly.

[0041] For example, if the ink density is high, the tilt angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is adjusted so that the tilt angle increases (so that the first shielding reflective member 45 is lying flat). Conversely, if the ink density is low, the tilt angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is adjusted so that the tilt angle decreases (so that the first shielding reflective member 45 is standing upright).

[0042] For example, if the temperature of the recording medium is high, the tilt angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is adjusted so that the tilt angle increases. Conversely, if the temperature of the recording medium is low, the tilt angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is adjusted so that the tilt angle decreases.

[0043] For example, when the transport speed of the recording medium W is fast, the tilt angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is adjusted so that the tilt angle increases. Conversely, when the transport speed of the recording medium W is slow, the tilt angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 is adjusted so that the tilt angle decreases.

[0044] The second shielding reflective member 46 is positioned downstream of the active light irradiation area C and defines the irradiation range of the active light downstream of the active light irradiation area C. The upper end of the second shielding reflective member 46 is connected to the top plate 44. The second shielding reflective member 46 is inclined to approach the recording medium W from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction along the transport direction of the recording medium W. The inclination angle of the second shielding reflective member 46 with respect to the perpendicular of the recording medium W is, for example, in the range of 5 to 80°. The method for adjusting the inclination angle of the second shielding reflective member 46 is not particularly limited. The method for adjusting the inclination angle of the second shielding reflective member 46 may be configured to adjust automatically or to adjust manually.

[0045] Preferably, the absolute value of the angle of the first shielding reflective member 45 with respect to the perpendicular to the recording medium W is greater than the absolute value of the angle of the second shielding reflective member 46 with respect to the perpendicular to the recording medium W. That is, the first shielding reflective member 45 is inclined to spread upstream when viewed from the active light irradiation area C. On the other hand, the second shielding reflective member 46 is inclined to spread downstream when viewed from the active light irradiation area C. Furthermore, the first shielding reflective member 45 is inclined at an angle greater than the inclination angle of the second shielding reflective member 46 when viewed from the active light irradiation area C.

[0046] The moving unit 14 moves the recording medium W. Specifically, the moving unit 14 moves between a placement area A for placing the recording medium W, a discharge area B for ejecting ink onto the placed recording medium W, and an irradiation area for irradiating it with active light.

[0047] The configuration of the moving unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as it can perform the above functions. In this embodiment, the moving unit 14 has a stage 51 for arranging the recording medium W and a moving mechanism 52 for moving the stage 51 in the transport direction of the recording medium W. The transport speed of the stage 51 (recording medium W) by the moving unit 14 is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. The moving unit 14 may move the stage 51 (recording medium W) along the transport path at a constant speed, or it may vary the movement speed in the ejection area B and the active light irradiation area C. In this embodiment, the movement speed in the ejection area B and the active light irradiation area C is the same. The stage 51, on which the recording medium W is placed in the placement area A, moves sequentially to the ejection area B and the active light irradiation area C.

[0048] (Image forming method) An image forming method using the image forming apparatus 10 described above will be explained. First, in the placement area A, the recording medium W is placed on the stage 51 of the moving unit 14.

[0049] Next, the moving mechanism 52 of the moving unit 14 moves the stage 51 toward the ejection area B at a constant speed. At this time, as the recording medium W passes through the ejection area B, the inkjet head 21 ejects inkjet ink onto the recording medium W.

[0050] Next, the moving mechanism 52 of the moving unit 14 moves the stage 51 toward the active light irradiation area C at a constant speed. At this time, as the recording medium W passes through the active light irradiation area C, the light source 41 irradiates the recording medium W (inkjet ink) with active light.

[0051] The recording medium W, on which an image has been formed after being irradiated with active light, is moved to the placement area A by the moving mechanism 52, and the recording medium W is replaced. Through the above process, an image is formed on the recording medium W.

[0052] Here, we will explain the mechanism by which the image forming apparatus of this embodiment can properly cure active light-curable ink. Low-intensity active light is irradiated onto the ink ejected from the inkjet head and deposited on the recording medium. This suppresses the melting of the ink coating due to an excessive temperature rise on the surface of the recording medium, and pre-cures the ink coating with the surface having appropriate irregularities. Next, high-intensity active light is irradiated onto the ink. This hardens the ink in the ink coating. On the other hand, if high-intensity active light is irradiated from the beginning, the ink hardens before the surface of the ink coating becomes uneven, resulting in excessive gloss.

[0053] (effect) As described above, in the present invention, since the active light is irradiated such that the maximum illuminance of the active light is located downstream of the active light irradiation area, an appropriate gloss can be achieved. [Industrial applicability]

[0054] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can produce images with appropriate gloss. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of images formed by the image forming method, and thus it is useful in fields such as image formation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Head Carriage 12. Ink supply unit 13 Active ray irradiation section 14. Mobile Unit 21 Inkjet Heads 31 tanks 32 Ink channels 41 Light source 42 cabinets 43 Light source row 44 Top plate 45 First shielding reflective member 46. ​​Second shielding reflective member 51 stages 52 Moving mechanism A placement area B Discharge area C Active ray irradiation area W recording medium

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium conveyed from upstream to downstream, comprising: an ink ejection unit for ejecting ink onto the recording medium; an active light irradiation unit for irradiating active light onto the recording medium on which ink is ejected and conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side of the active light irradiation region; and having when the active light irradiation unit divides the active light irradiation region into two at the central portion in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the active light irradiation unit irradiates the active light such that the maximum illuminance of the active light is located on the downstream side. Image forming apparatus.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the center of the active light irradiation unit is disposed on the downstream side of the central portion.

3. The active light irradiation unit has a plurality of light source rows arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, each of the plurality of light source rows includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the arrangement density of the light source rows on the upstream side is lower than the arrangement density of the light source rows on the downstream side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The active light irradiation unit has a plurality of light source rows arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, each of the plurality of light source rows includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the number of light sources in the light source row on the upstream side is smaller than the number of light sources in the light source row on the downstream side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The active light irradiation unit has a plurality of light source rows arranged in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, each of the plurality of light source rows includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and the luminance of the plurality of light sources on the upstream side is lower than the luminance of the plurality of light sources on the downstream side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The active light irradiation unit includes a plurality of light sources, a first shielding reflection member disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and a second shielding reflection member disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium. and including the first shielding reflection member is inclined so as to move away from the recording medium as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction along the conveyance direction of the recording medium, the second shielding reflection member is inclined so as to approach the recording medium as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction along the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first shielding reflective member is configured to allow adjustment of its tilt angle.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the absolute value of the angle of the first shielding reflective member with respect to the perpendicular of the recording medium is greater than the absolute value of the angle of the second shielding reflective member with respect to the perpendicular of the recording medium.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the inclination angle of the first shielding reflective member or the second shielding reflective member is adjusted based on any of the following: user instructions, the density of the ink, the temperature of the recording medium, or the transport speed of the recording medium.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink is an active light-curable ink containing a gelling agent.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an inkjet type image forming apparatus.

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