Image forming method using trickle developing system, developer used for the same, manufacturing method thereof, and image forming apparatus

A method to form an image using a trickle developing system comprising the steps of:

• (i) forming an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor;
• (ii) developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer to form a toner image using the trickle developing system, a mixture of a toner and a carrier being refilled to a developing device in the trickle developing system when an amount of toner is decreased to a prescribed level;
• and
• (iii) transferring the toner image onto a recording sheet,
• wherein
• (a) the toner comprises colorant particles with a volume median diameter of 3 to 8 μm having first inorganic particles on surfaces of the colorant particles to form toner particles;
• (b) the carrier comprises magnetic particles with a weight average particle diameter (D4) of 20 to 40 μm having second inorganic particles on surfaces of the magnetic particles to form carrier particles;
• and
• (c) an area ratio of element (A) based on a total area of surfaces of the carrier particles is 0.5 to 3.0 area % determined by using an X-ray analysis, provided that element (A) represents one or more elements commonly contained in the first inorganic particles and in the second inorganic particles.