An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming parts that form toner images having colors different from each other, the plurality of image forming parts disposed in series to multiply-transfer the toner images of the colors directly to a recording medium to form a color image; a detecting unit that detects a mark on the recording medium formed by the plurality of image forming parts; a print controlling part that controls image forming positions of the plurality of image forming parts based on a detection result of the mark by the detecting unit; and a mark removing unit that removes the mark formed on the recording medium before fixing.