Abstract: Systems and methods for making sliders having larger roll off shapes and smaller pole tip recessions on the overcoat areas of air bearing surfaces (ABS) are provided. In certain example embodiments, at least one row bar may be positioned on a lapping machine's mounting fixture. Each row bar may include at least one slider, and each slider may include a side having a thin-film element formed thereon. A dummy bar may be positioned on the mounting fixture such that the dummy bar is lapped before any of the row bars. Then, the mounting fixture may be used to bring the surface of each row bar into contact with the lapping table's lapping surface. The row bar may be rotationally lapped such that for each row bar, the side having the thin-film element is lapped first. Thus, sliders having small pole tip recessions and larger roll off shapes may be produced.