An image forming apparatus includes a toner carrier, a counter electrode, and a control electrode, which have the same potential as a ground potential of the image forming apparatus during a non-operational period while a flight electric field-use operational voltage and control voltages are not applied. During an operational period while the operational voltage and the control voltages are applied, a flight suppressing voltage for suppressing flight of the toner in the control voltages is first applied to the control voltage, and thereafter the operational voltage is applied to the counter electrode. When the application of the operational voltage and the control voltage are suspended, the flight suppressing voltage is first applied as the control voltage, then the application of the operational voltage is suspended, and thereafter the application of the flight suppressing voltage is suspended. The apparatus further comprises cleaning means for removing foreign material from the control electrode, charge removing means for removing electric charges from the control electrode, switching means for connecting the toner carrier to the ground or the counter electrode, said counter electrode including an extension section and having two areas with different potentials, and a shield facing said counter electrode.