Magnetic transfer method and system

A magnetic transfer system in which a magnetic transfer master carrier having a magnetic layer at a surface portion of a substrate having an information signal is brought in close contact with an associated slave medium and a transfer magnetic field is applied to the slave medium, which comprises:

• initial d.c. magnetization means for previously applying a magnetic field to said slave medium in a track direction to initially d.c. magnetize said slave medium in said track direction, and
• transfer magnetic field application means for applying a transfer magnetic field to said initially d.c. magnetized slave medium in said track direction while said magnetic transfer master carrier is brought in close contact with said initially d.c. magnetized slave medium, wherein an angle of inclination of said transfer magnetic field is variable, and wherein said initial d.c. magnetization means comprises means for generating a magnetic field having a magnetic field intensity profile which has a magnetic field intensity portion exceeding said coercive force Hcs of said slave member at at least one position in said track direction, at a part of said track direction and rotating said slave medium or said magnetic field in said track direction.