A method for forming a plated layer. There is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a masking frame employed for masking frame plating a masking frame plated layer within the masking frame, where the masking frame is fabricated to provide an overhang of an upper portion of the masking frame spaced further from the substrate with respect to a lower portion of the masking frame spaced closer to the substrate. Finally, there is then plated the masking frame plated layer within the masking frame. The method is useful for forming masking frame plated magnetic pole tip stack layers with enhanced planarity dimensional control within magnetic transducer elements.