PURPOSE: To lower the running cost of a device by a method wherein a test pattern used in the correction of density irregularities is recorded on the rear surface of a recording medium, and a normal image is formed on the top surface of the recording medium.

CONSTITUTION: With the reception of a request signal for the correction of density irregularities, a recording medium 2 reaches a feed roller 24 through a feed roller 22 and a guide 23, thereafter being fed onto an electrified suction belt 40. In this manner, a test pattern used in the correction of density irregularities is recorded on the surface of the recording medium 2 opposed to recording heads 1Bk, 1Y, 1M, and 1C, which is the rear side of the surface on which a normal image is to be formed. After that, the recording medium 2 is wound around a winding roller 25 rotating in a direction (e). The winding roller 25 rotates in a direction (f), and a feed roller 37 and a pick-up roller 39 rotate reverse to return the recording medium 2 to a cassette 38 through a movable guide 19. At this time, the top surface of the recording medium 2 is in an unrecorded state and can be used for a normal image recording.