The image forming apparatus includes image forming parts, a developing device and a cleaner to clean at least the intermediate transfer material or the transfer device, wherein at the image forming operation starting time, in each image forming part, after starting the charging, the application of the developing bias is started before the top end of the charging portion of the image bearing member surface reaches a developing area in which the image bearing member and the developer bearing member are set against each other, and from among the areas on the image bearing member in which the charging is not yet performed in each image forming part, in case each area having passed the developing area when the developing bias is applied is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member, the contact area with each area in the intermediate transfer member is controlled without superposing on the intermediate transfer member.