An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and transfer and control units. The transfer unit and image bearing member form a nip portion where a recording material receives a toner image. The control unit controls image formation based on a timing when a recording material leading edge is detected. To perform sheet conveyance, the control unit changes a first recording material conveyance speed to a second speed before a fed first recording material leading edge is detected. Before the first recording material leading edge reaches the nip portion, the control unit changes the first recording material conveyance speed to a first speed, slower than the second speed, based on when the fed first recording material leading edge is detected. The control unit obtains a timing for the image formation to the image bearing member based on when the conveyance speed is changed from the faster to slower speed.