An image forming method where a color image is formed on a support, and where the color image consists of a plurality of color toners each having a melting point or a softening point. The color image is heated upon application of pressure at a first temperature while the color image contacts a surface of a fixing member, where the first temperature is not lower than the melting points or softening points of the plurality of color toners. The color image is cooled to a second temperature lower than the melting points or softening points while the color image contacts the surface of the fixing member; and then the color image is separated from the fixing member, where the surface of the fixing member has a ten-point mean roughness not greater than 20 &mgr;m.