IMAGE FORMING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming method by which a defect on an image is completely prevented. SOLUTION: In this image forming method, an electrophotographic sensitive body 7 equipped with an outermost surface layer incorporating three- dimensionally crosslinked silicone resin and having charge transportability is used. A coating layer 22 is formed all over the width of the outermost surface layer by supplying coating substance 21 to the outermost surface layer, and is electrified and exposed so as to form an electrostatic latent image, which is made visualizable. The image made visualizable is transferred to a medium to be transferred 19, and the layer 22 is removed. In such a case, the layer 22 is formed on the outermost surface layer, so that the reaction of a discharge product or the like with a functional group such as a hydroxyl group is restrained because the discharge product or the like adheres to the layer 22 in the case of electrification. The discharge product or the like adhering to the layer 22 is easily removed by removing the layer 22. Since the outermost surface layer has large mechanical strength, its wear is remarkably reduced.