<p>An image heating apparatus (10) for heating an image formed on a recording material (S), includes a heating member (30); a flexible member (31) movable in contact with the heating member (30); an elastic roller (20) for forming a nip (N) with the heating member (30) with the flexible member (31) interposed therebetween; wherein a pressure in the nip (N) increases to a maximum peak toward downstream substantially without decreasing with respect to a moving direction of the recording material (S), wherein the heating member (30) is disposed upstream of the maximum peak portion with respect to the moving direction of the recording material (S). <IMAGE></p>
