The disclosure is directed to a method for creating a remnant magnetization on a magnetic tape medium. The magnetic tape is first substantially demagnetized, e.g., erased, by an erasure unit having multiple magnetic elements of alternating polarity. The erased magnetic tape is then passed by a bias magnet that creates a remnant magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remnant magnetized magnetic tape is then passed through a servo write head that writes servo patterns to the remnant magnetized magnetic tape. The bias magnet may be housed within the erasure unit or within a bias unit, and the distance between the bias magnet and the tape path of the magnetic tape may be adjustable to create the desired remnant magnetization on the magnetic tape. The remnant magnetization created on the magnetic tape may be greater than 20 percent to reduce defects in the servo pattern written to the magnetic tape.