According to one embodiment, an image forming method includes recording in a first recording portion, on a first member of a data recording medium, a first portion of an image to be recorded in the data recording medium; recording, in a second recording portion, a second portion of the image on a bonding surface to be bonded to the first member, of a second member of the data recording medium which is to be bonded to the first member and covers the first portion of the image that has been recorded on the first member; combining the second portion of the image with the first portion of the image to form the image; and bonding the second member to the first member.