Thermal transfer type image forming device

摘要

An image forming device including a plurality of image forming units each for forming an image on an intermediate transfer body using one of different colored inks. Different colored images are selectively formed in an overlapping relation on the intermediate transfer body, thereby forming a multicolor image thereon. Each different colored image is formed by a thermal transfer operation in which ink on an ink holding member is heated, melted, and then transferred directly onto the intermediate transfer body or onto an existing ink image on the intermediate transfer body. Heat to be supplied to the ink to be transferred onto the existing ink image is insufficient to melt ink in the existing ink image.