Patent ID: 7949294

Claim:
An image forming apparatus in which an original reading portion is disposed in an upper portion of the apparatus main body, a feed portion is disposed in a lower portion of the apparatus main body, and a printing portion is disposed between the original reading portion and the feed portion, wherein a paper post-processing portion that can perform a plurality of types of paper post-processing for recording paper transported from the apparatus main body after printing by the printing portion is finished, and a discharge portion to which recording paper is discharged after paper post-processing by the paper post-processing portion is finished, are disposed in a space inside a “U” shape of the apparatus main body, the “U” shape being formed by the original reading portion, the printing portion, and the feed portion, wherein the paper post-processing portion is provided with a hole-punching function and a stapling function, wherein a punching unit provided with the hole-punching function and a stapling unit provided with the stapling function are provided in the paper post-processing portion, and wherein a switchback transport path used when printing to both faces of the recording paper is formed in the stapling unit, the stapling unit comprising a stapling stage where staple processing is performed and a discharge stage where recording paper is discharged to the stapling stage, and the discharge stage is provided in the switchback transport path.