A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium or the like and an applicator device for applying a coating to manufacture a magnetic recording medium resulting in the production of a recording medium having a uniform coating of magnetic liquid without streaking. In one embodiment, the flow index A expressed by an equation (1) below and in which L, V and .gamma. denote the length of the liquid on the surface of the doctor edge portion in the direction of movement of the carrier along the surface of the doctor edge portion, the mean speed of the flow of the liquid on the surface of the doctor edge portion, and the shearing speed of the liquid on the surface of the doctor edge portion, respectively, is 100 or more: ##EQU1##