An image forming method which applies a zinc-containing metal soap to a surface of an intermediate transfer belt including nitrogen on its surface. At least one of the following formulae is satisfied: (1−C/D)×100(%)−(B/A)×100(%)≦10(%) (F/E)×100(%)≦30(%) wherein A and B represent a percentage content of nitrogen at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt before and after image formation on 1,000 sheets, respectively, C represents a percentage content of zinc at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt after the image formation on 1,000 sheets, D represents a percentage content of zinc based on all elements other than hydrogen in the zinc-containing metal soap, and E and F represent a percentage content of nitrogen at the surface of the intermediate transfer belt before and after application of the metal soap thereto for 5 minutes without image formation, respectively.