Stiction failure of a magnetic recording medium is reduced by forming a lubricant topcoat having a first thickness over the landing zone greater than a second thickness over the data zone, with a sharp transition step having an angle of at least about 70° with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface. Embodiments include depositing a lubricant topcoat at a substantially uniform thickness and reducing the thickness of the lubricant topcoat over the data zone by about 20% to about 80% employing a laser light beam to volatilize the lubricant.