an image forming apparatus includes plural image forming devices each including an image carrier , a charger and a developing device , which in conjunction produce a corresponding toner image on the image carrier . a primary image transferring device transfers the toner images from the image carriers to an intermediate image transfer body one above the other , thereby forming a composite toner image . a secondary image transferring device transfers the composite toner image from the intermediate image transfer body to a recording medium . the primary image transferring device includes the intermediate image transfer body including at least an elastic layer , a cleaning device cleaning the intermediate image transfer body , and a coating device coating a lubricant on the intermediate image transfer body . the charger is released from the image carrier substantially at the same time as the coating device is released from the intermediate image transfer body .