IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the occurrence of banding without being affected by the speed variation of an image carrier. SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus includes a latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 3; a developing means 6a for developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; a primary transfer means 13 for transferring the toner image to an intermediate transfer body 12; and a secondary transfer means for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body, to a recording medium. The image forming apparatus also has a member for carrying out separating/abutting operation or a member for carrying out driving/stopping operation in a non-image area on the intermediate transfer body or in an area of the image carrier equivalent thereto. After a position equivalent to the downstream side from a position on the intermediate transfer body where any operation of separating, abutting, driving and stopping is performed passes through a primary transfer position T1, the latent image is formed by the latent image forming means. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT