An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an image forming unit for forming a toner image and a toner pattern comprising toner not to be transferred onto a recording medium for adjustment of a density of toner on a surface of the image bearing member, a nip forming member contacting the surface of the image bearing member to form a transfer nip therebetween, a transfer bias applicator for applying a transfer bias in which an alternating current component and a direct current component are superimposed to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium in the transfer nip, a first cleaning device to mechanically remove toner remaining on the image bearing member after passing through the transfer nip. The transfer bias applicator applies a charge eliminating bias to remove charge from toner in the toner pattern when the toner pattern passes through the transfer nip.