An image forming apparatus has an image bearing member. A transfer member forms a nip with the image bearing member and transfers a toner image to a surface of a transfer sheet guided to the nip. A guide is immediately upstream of the nip in a sheet conveying direction. The guide is in sliding contact with one side of the transfer sheet and guides the transfer sheet to the nip. The guide includes a rigid member having a flat surface along the sheet conveying direction. A cutout is formed in the flat surface of the rigid member. The guide also has a flat elastic member placed on the flat surface of the rigid member to cover the cutout and to be held in sliding contact with the transfer sheet.