In one embodiment, an image forming apparatus has an image carrier, a transfer unit, and a spacer. The image carrier has a toner image carrying surface. The transfer unit transfers a toner image from the toner image carrying surface to a recording medium. The transfer unit includes a transfer roller which forms a nip with the image carrying surface and a contact roller provided coaxially with the transfer roller. The spacer is detachably provided on the transfer unit to separate the image carrier and the transfer unit. The transfer roller forms the nip with the toner image carrying surface when the spacer is detached from the transfer unit.