An image forming apparatus includes a development unit, a transfer member,
and a blade member. The development unit develops a latent image on an
image bearing member and forms a toner image. The transfer member
transfers the toner image on the image bearing member to a transfer
material. The blade member is brought into contact with and separated
from the image bearing member, and the blade member removes remaining
transfer toner which is not transferred to the transfer material but
remains on the image bearing member. An abutting control unit causes the
blade member in a separated state to abut onto the image bearing member
during a time starting after a front end of the remaining transfer toner
passes through the abutting region and ending when a rear end of the
remaining transfer toner has passed through the abutting region.