In an image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image formed on a surface of a photoreceptor is developed into a toner image. A printing paper transported on a transport belt is brought into contact with the surface of the photoreceptor and an electric field is applied to the printing paper from a rear surface of the transport belt by a transfer roller to transfer the toner image onto the printing paper. The transfer roller applies different levels of electric field to the printing paper, so that a predetermined transfer electric field is applied to a region other than a leading edge of the printing paper being transported. An electric field weaker than the predetermined transfer electric field is applied to the leading edge. Even in the presence of a projection generated when the printing paper is cut, the printing paper naturally strips off from the surface of the photoreceptor.