An intermediate transfer device has: an intermediate transfer belt
supported by a plurality of belt supporting mechanisms so as to be able
to circulate, and having elasticity at least in a direction of
circulating; a first bias applying mechanism applying a first bias
voltage to toner on a toner carrier surface of the intermediate transfer
belt; a layer thinning mechanism contacting the toner carrier surface and
electrostatically attracting the toner which is on the toner carrier
surface so as to thin a layer of the toner; a second bias applying
mechanism applying a second bias voltage to the toner whose layer has
been thinned; an image carrier carrying a visible image to be transferred
onto the toner carrier surface, the toner on the toner carrier surface,
to which the second bias voltage has been applied, being transferred onto
the image carrier; and a toner removing mechanism removing the toner on
the image carrier.