an image heating apparatus has a first member ; a second member slidable relative to the first member ; a third member for forming a nip with the first member with the second member disposed therebetween , wherein a recording material carrying an image is nipped and red by the nip between the second member and the third member , a pressure control unit for controlling a pressure at the nip to set the pressure to a first pressure and a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure , wherein when the second member starts moving upon start of image heating operation , the control unit sets the pressure to the first pressure and then to the second pressure .