The present invention teaches and claims an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming portion including one or more inkjet heads for forming an image on a recording medium by discharging ink from an ink discharge surface of the inkjet head; a recording medium transporting portion having a transport surface which is positioned below the ink discharge surface and on which the recording medium is placed for transporting a sheet to a position facing the ink discharge surface; a moving mechanism for moving the transport surface toward and away from the ink discharge surface; an ink discharge surface protecting mechanism including but not limited to a cap member and a driving device for moving the cap member; and a control unit for moving the transport surface away from the ink discharge surface to operate the ink discharge surface protecting mechanism when the recording medium is jammed during transportation of the recording medium.