A plurality of image parts, each having a different gloss level, are formed on the same recording material by electrophotographic technology. The plurality of gloss levels are visually recognized due to the plurality of image parts. The image forming method includes: developing electrostatic latent images on respective image carriers using a high softening point clear toner and a low softening point clear toner, to form a toner image by the high softening point clear toner and a toner image by the low softening point clear toner; transferring the toner images onto a recording material; and heat-fixing the toner image for low gloss and the toner image for high gloss transferred and formed onto the recording material, wherein a softening point Tm(a) of the high softening point clear toner and a softening point Tm(b) of the low softening point clear toner satisfy Tm(a)−Tm(b)>6° C.