A transfer device includes first and second transfer members which are movable into a first transfer state on opposite sides of a first transfer plane (P1). The first transfer member includes first magnetic field sources that form a first magnetic field array for retaining the tire component with a first magnetic attraction force (F1), while the second transfer member includes second magnetic field sources that form a second magnetic field array for retaining the tire component with a second magnetic attraction force (F2) that is larger than the first magnetic attraction force (F1) at the first transfer plane (P1), wherein in the first transfer state the second magnetic field array is offset with respect to the first magnetic field array.