An image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer member which moves in one direction with a surface thereof facing and contacting an image carrier so as to transfer toner images for multiple colors from the image carrier to the intermediate transfer member to form at least one toner image page having the multiple colors superimposed thereon. An image transfer device transfers the toner image page on the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium or sheet, and a cleaning device, which is movable into contact with or away from the intermediate transfer member at predefined times, cleans the intermediate transfer member. The cleaning device is positioned so that a distance from an intermediate transfer nip portion entrance part to the cleaning device in the moving direction of the intermediate transfer member is greater than a length of the intermediate transfer member occupied by one or more toner image pages and a distance from the intermediate transfer nip entrance part to an intermediate transfer nip exit part.