An image forming apparatus includes a rotatable latent image bearing
member; a charging device contacting with the latent image bearing member
and being provided with a voltage applied thereto for charging the latent
image bearing member; a cleaning device contacting with the latent image
bearing member for cleaning the latent image bearing member; and a
transfer device contacting with the latent image bearing member and being
provided with a transfer voltage for transferring, to a transfer medium,
an image developed with a developer in an image forming area. The
charging device, when in contact with an area constituting an image
forming area of the latent image bearing member, is provided with an AC
voltage for charging a non-image forming area having a peak-to-peak
voltage larger than a peak-to-peak voltage of a charging AC voltage
applied to the charging device for charging an area constituting the
image forming area. When an area of the latent image bearing member,
charged by the AC voltage for charging the non-image forming area applied
to the charging device, comes into contact with the transfer device, a DC
voltage of a polarity opposite to a normal charging polarity of the
latent image bearing member is applied to the transfer device. More
specifically, the transfer voltage is determined based on the DC voltage.
The transfer voltage is determined, based on a current flowing between
the latent image bearing member and the transfer means when the DC
voltage is applied to the transfer means.