Patent attributes
An image forming process comprises the steps of conducting recording on a recording medium provided with an image-receiving layer and laminating a thermoplastic film onto the image-receiving layer to smooth the surface of the thermoplastic film by a heating and pressurizing device and to bond the back side of the thermoplastic film onto the image-receiving layer. An image forming apparatus comprises an ink-jet head for conducting recording on a recording medium, a laminating section for laminating a thermoplastic polymer onto a recorded recording medium, and a heating and pressurizing device for heating and pressurizing the thermoplastic film to smooth the surface and to bond the back side of the thermoplastic film onto the image-receiving layer.