Image forming method and apparatus therefor

摘要

Image forming methods and apparatus for forming an image, using an image forming sheet which has on an organic substrate to heat-developable image forming layer that is normally non-photosensitive but is rendered photosensitive by preheating prior to exposure and forms therein a latent image by exposure and then provides a visible image by heat development. An image forming area of the image forming sheet is preheated and heat-developed to obtain the visible image. In order to prevent an image forming area of the image forming sheet from heat deformation by heating for the preheating or heat development, the image forming area is heated by heating means, holding the opposite side from the image forming layer corresponding to the image forming area in close contact with a flat portion of an image forming area support member in a manner to extend over the entire area of the flat portion, and after the heating, the image forming area is cooled down to a temperature below the glass transition point of the organic substrate, still holding the opposite side from the image forming layer corresponding to the image forming area in close contact with the flat portion of the image forming area support member. After the cooling, the image forming area support member is brought out of contact with the image forming area.