A transfer means has a film lightly contacting a back surface of a transfer medium and applying a transfer field thereto. The film rises rapidly with respect to a contact portion with the back surface of the transfer medium on the upstream side of the direction of movement of the transfer medium relative to the film, and slopes gently from the contact portion in a continuous curve on a downstream side of the direction of movement. The film is capable of displacement between a support and an image carrier, and contacts and disengages the transfer medium according to the presence or absence of electrostatic adsorptive force due to the supply or withdrawal of an electric current.