An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a transfer rotator, an adjuster, and circuitry. The image bearer bears a toner image. The transfer rotator contacts the image bearer to form a transfer nip between the transfer rotator and the image bearer. The transfer rotator transfers the toner image from the image bearer onto a sheet conveyed to the transfer nip. The adjuster adjusts at least one of a relative difference in linear velocity of the transfer rotator to the image bearer at the transfer nip and a relative contact pressure of the transfer rotator to the image bearer at the transfer nip. Based on a difference in image magnification, in a direction of conveyance of the sheet, of toner images transferred onto surfaces of one or more sheets conveyed to the transfer nip, the circuitry causes the adjuster to reduce the difference in image magnification.