Image forming apparatus for performing image adjustment that reduces time to print when mark formation and printing are required at the same time

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a forming unit configured to form a mark for image adjustment;
• a conveyor member configured to convey the mark formed by the forming unit;
• a sensor configured to detect the mark conveyed by the conveyor member;
• a conveyor member cleaner configured to remove the mark from the conveyor member;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• start formation of one or more marks;
• detect whether a cancellation event has occurred during the formation of the one or more marks;
• cancel the formation of the one or more marks in response to detecting that the cancellation event has occurred;
• and
• upon receiving print data, execute a printing process in response to cancelling the formation of the one or more marks, the printing process comprising:
• determining a blank area of the conveyor member;
• determining whether a sheet to be used for printing fits within the blank area;
• and
• controlling the forming unit to print the print data to the sheet on the blank area of the conveyor member in response to determining that the sheet fits within the blank area.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a forming unit for forming a mark for image adjustment;
• a conveyor for conveying the mark formed by the forming unit;
• a measuring unit for detecting the mark conveyed by the conveyor;
• a removing unit for removing the mark from the conveyor;
• and
• a control means for:
• adjusting an image formation process based on an output of the detection performed by the measuring unit;
• controlling the forming unit to form the mark on a first portion of the conveyor;
• determining a blank area of the conveyor, the blank area comprising the first portion when the mark is removed from the first portion;
• determining whether a length of the blank area is greater than a length of a sheet to be used for printing;
• and
• controlling the forming unit to start printing when the blank area is facing the forming unit, in response to the control means determining that the length of the blank area is greater than the length of the sheet regardless whether the removing unit completes removal of the mark.