An apparatus for forming a magnetic transition pattern in a magnetic material by contact printing, comprising: (a) a stamper having an imprinting surface comprising a plurality of projections and depressions arranged according to the magnetic transition pattern, the stamper being formed of at least one high saturation magnetization, high permeability magnetic material; (b) means for supporting a workpiece such that a surface thereof comprised of the magnetic material is in contact with the imprinting surface; (c) magnet means for applying a unidirectional re-alignment magnetic field to the stamper and workpiece to effect selective re-alignment of magnetic domains of portions of the magnetic material facing the depressions of the imprinting surface, such that the pattern of selectively re-aligned magnetic domains forms a pattern replicating the pattern of projections and depressions; and (d) means for applying sufficient pressure to the stamper and workpiece to overcome magnetic attraction between the stamper and the magnet means to thereby maintain full contact therebetween.