Liquid application apparatus, image forming apparatus and liquid application method

A liquid application apparatus which applies liquid to media of a plurality of types having different widths in a widthwise direction that is perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the media, the apparatus comprising:

• a liquid application member which has an application surface applying the liquid to the media;
• a liquid holding member which has a plurality of recesses arranged in the widthwise direction, a plurality of liquid supply ports arranged respectively in the recesses, and a plurality of liquid discharge ports arranged respectively in the recesses, the liquid holding member forming a plurality of liquid chambers with the recesses by abutting against the application surface of the liquid application member;
• a liquid chamber selection device which selects, of the plurality of liquid chambers, liquid chambers to be supplied with the liquid as liquid supply chambers, and liquid chambers not to be supplied with the liquid as liquid non-supply chambers, in accordance with size of the media in the widthwise direction,
• a liquid supply and discharge device which supplies the liquid to the liquid supply chambers through the liquid supply ports, and discharges the liquid from the liquid non-supply chambers through the liquid discharge ports,
• a medium size determination device which determines the widths of the media.