Patent attributes
In an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet of paper, a technique for achieving adequate toner collection from the photoconductive surface of the photoconductor to suit the situation is provided. An image forming apparatus performs image forming processing using plural image forming stations aligned along a specific direction and each transferring a toner image of a different color onto a transferred body moving in the specific direction, and includes: a toner collection unit provided to at least one image forming station among the plural image forming stations at any of second and subsequent places from an upstream side in the specific direction and configured to collect toner adhering onto a photoconductor in the at least one image forming station near a toner image transfer position of the photoconductor on a downstream side.