Image forming apparatus having correction of following image based on deformation of preceding recording medium

An image forming apparatus includes a conveying device, an image forming device, a reading device, and control circuitry. The conveying device sequentially conveys a plurality of successive recording media that includes a preceding recording medium and a following recording medium. The image forming device forms an image on each of a front surface and a back surface of the preceding recording medium conveyed. The reading device reads an outer shape of the preceding recording medium. The control circuitry calculates an amount of deformation of the preceding recording medium based on the outer shape of the preceding recording medium read. The control circuitry corrects at least one of a front image and a back image based on the amount of deformation calculated, to cause the image forming device to form the front image and the back image on a front surface and a back surface, respectively, of the following recording medium.