Process for controlling the gloss of a toner image and a digital image recording device

Digital image recording device (1), especially electrographic or electrophotographic printing or copying machine, with a fixing device (3) for fixing a toner image on an image carrier substrate (9), the fixing device (3) comprising:

• at least one roller (7) via which the image carrier substrate (9) is guided, the roller (7) is made drum-shaped and at least its jacket (11) includes transparent material having a high thermal conductivity, and in the interior (19) of the roller (7) there is a radiation source (17) for exposing the toner image to electromagnetic radiation in the UV range;
• and
• a control for activating said radiation source (17) whereby the toner image is melted to such an extent that a relatively high gloss results when the toner image is first fixed to the image carrier substrate (9), and after the toner image has been fixed on the image carrier substrate (9), the toner image is exposed to so much thermal energy by electromagnetic radiation or several radiation pulses from the radiation source (17) that at least parts of the toner material, especially the surface layer of the toner image, are overheated and thus damaged in a controlled manner, as much heat being supplied to the toner image at least once again that the toner image on its surface or in the area near its surface is melted either completely or at least in areas, the degree and/or the duration of melting being set depending on the desired gloss of the toner image.