Image forming apparatus in which colors are developed with multiple color development layers, control method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

A control method of an image forming apparatus including a printhead, comprising:

• a control step of outputting, based on image data, a signal pattern for controlling energy to be added by the printhead to an image material including a plurality of color development layers that have different color development characteristics and develop colors in accordance with the added energy,
• wherein the control step includes:
• for development of a first color, outputting of a first signal pattern to cause a first color development layer to develop the first color;
• for development of a second color, outputting of a second signal pattern to cause a second color development layer to develop the second color;
• and
• for development of a third color, outputting of a third signal pattern to cause the first and the second color development layers to develop the third color, wherein the third signal pattern is a signal pattern of an OR of the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program causing a computer to function as

• a control unit configured to output, based on image data, a signal pattern for controlling energy to be added by a printhead to an image material including a plurality of color development layers that have different color development characteristics and develop colors in accordance with the added energy,
• wherein the control unit is configured to output:
• for development of a first color, the control unit is configured to output a first signal pattern to cause a first color development layer to develop the first color;
• for development of a second color, the control unit is configured to output a second signal pattern to cause a second color development layer to develop the second color;
• and
• for development of a third color, the control unit is configured to output a third signal pattern to cause the first and the second color development layers to develop the third color, wherein the third signal pattern is a signal pattern of an OR of the first signal pattern and the second signal pattern.