Image forming method for forming toner image on recording medium

A method for forming a toner image on a recording medium, comprising:

• receiving a printer job;
• rotating a pressing rotary body in a predetermined direction of rotation;
• rotating a flexible endless belt disposed opposite the pressing rotary body to form a nip therebetween in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the pressing rotary body;
• turning on a halogen heater disposed opposite an inner circumferential surface of the flexible endless belt to heat the flexible endless belt;
• conveying the recording medium bearing the toner image through the nip;
• turning off the halogen heater for a predetermined first time period after the recording medium is discharged from the nip while the flexible endless belt and the pressing rotary body rotate;
• stopping the flexible endless belt and the pressing rotary body;
• turning off the halogen heater for a predetermined second time period after stopping the flexible endless belt and the pressing rotary body regardless of a temperature of the flexible endless belt in a standby mode;
• and
• turning off the halogen heater in an off mode.