An image forming apparatus has a photoconductive member on which a latent
image is to be formed, a developing roller for developing the latent
image on the photoconductive member by a first bias. A magnetic roller
forms a magnetic brush thereon with a two-component developer and forms a
thin toner layer on the developing roller by a second bias. The
developing roller is aluminum with a surface treated for high resistance.
The thickness (T) of the toner layer and the duty ratio (D1) of the first
alternating-current bias satisfy relationships of the following equations
for calculating the duty ratio (D1) using an application period of a
voltage in a direction to transfer the toner from the developing roller
towards the photoconductive member as a positive period: 7
.mu.m.ltoreq.T.ltoreq.13 .mu.m, and 35%.ltoreq.D1.ltoreq.70%.