Image forming apparatus and method of discharging recording liquid

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a recording head oriented upward so as to eject a recording liquid upward;
• and
• a suction cap provided above the recording head to suction residual recording liquid upward from the recording head in a state in which the suction cap is in contact with an ejection face of the recording head, the recording head comprising
• the ejection face,
• an ejection port at the ejection face to eject the recording liquid,
• a waste-liquid port disposed at the ejection face of the recording head and separately from the ejection port, the waste-liquid port of the recording head including a hole formed at the ejection face of the recording head and
• a waste-liquid passage provided inside the recording head and connected to the waste-liquid port at the ejection face and additionally having an opening disposed at a side face of the recording head to be connected to a suction unit provided outside of the recording head and the suction cap, the suction unit being connected to the opening of the recording head, which is formed outside a capping area to be covered by the suction cap, and is not connected to the suction cap,
• wherein the suction unit suctions a residual of the recording liquid that is outside the ejection face between the suction cap and the ejection face of the recording head and discharges the suctioned residual to an outside of the recording head via the waste-liquid port, the waste-liquid passage and the opening of the recording head without passing through the suction cap.