An image forming apparatus having an image forming device for forming an image on a recording material, a fixing member for fixing the image formed on the recording material in a fixing nip, and a pressure member brought into pressure contact with the fixing member to form the fixing nip, the hardness of the pressure member being smaller than the hardness of the fixing member, wherein the image forming apparatus is operable in a mode for inserting the recording material into the fixing nip so that the image forming surface of the recording material is brought into contact with the pressure member, and subjecting the recording material to a preheating process, and then forming the image.