An image forming apparatus includes a transport unit, a transfer unit and a support unit. The transport unit transports a recording medium. The transfer unit transfers an image formed with particles onto an image formation surface of the recording medium transported by the transport unit by an electric field formed between the transfer unit and the image formation surface by making contact with the image formation surface. The support unit supports the recording medium, is transported to the transfer unit together with the recording medium by the transport unit, and is not directly conductive with the transfer unit.

An image forming apparatus includes: an attachment table to which an object is attached; a transfer unit that transfers an image onto the object; and a transport unit that transports the attachment table along a transport path that has a transport start position on one side relative to the transfer unit and has a transport end position on a same side as the transport start position relative to the transfer unit, the transport path extending beyond the transfer unit and the attachment table being transported so as to turn back at a position beyond the transfer unit.

An image forming apparatus includes a first heater, a second heater, and processing circuitry. The first heater is used in an image forming process. The second heater is used in a processing process after the image forming process. The processing circuitry is to measure a temperature of the first heater, measure a temperature of the second heater, and control start of the image forming process based on a first measured temperature of the first heater and a second measured temperature of the second heater.

A sheet characteristic detection device includes: a detector that is disposed on a sheet ejection path through which a sheet is ejected and that detects an electrical resistance value of the sheet; and a charge neutralizer that is disposed on a downstream side of the detector on the sheet ejection path and that neutralizes electric charge on the sheet.

An image forming system includes a processor configured to obtain a type of printed material to be generated from a medium and control, in accordance with the obtained type of printed material, performance for applying pressure-scaling toner, which demonstrates an adhesion function when deformed by pressure, to the medium.