A method of making a coated abrasive article, the method comprising: providing dispensable magnetizable abrasive particles and a distribution tool, wherein the distribution tool is configured to receive the magnetizable abrasive particles therein, and wherein the distribution tool comprises a plurality of cavities configured to impart at least one of a predetermined orientation and alignment of the magnetizable abrasive particles; dispensing the magnetizable abrasive particles into the cavities of the distribution tool and applying a force F2 to retain the magnetizable abrasive particles within the cavities; inverting the distribution tool such that the force F2 retains at least some of the magnetizable abrasive particles against the force of gravity; positioning (i) a backing adjacent to the distribution tool and spaced therefrom by a gap, wherein the gap is at least as large as a maximum dimension of the magnetizeable abrasive particles; and (ii) a magnet below the backing; using the magnet, applying a magnetic field to at least the backing and a portion of the gap between the backing and the distribution tool to exert a first magnetic force F1 on the magnetizable abrasive particles to influence transfer of the magnetizable abrasive particles from the cavities of the distribution tool to the backing; and removing or changing the force F2 prior to or simultaneous with transfer of the magnetizable abrasive particles from the plurality of cavities; transferring the magnetizable abrasive particles from the distribution tool to a first major surface of the backing, wherein the magnetic field is applied during the transfer of the magnetizable abrasive particles. providing dispensable magnetizable abrasive particles and a distribution tool, wherein the distribution tool is configured to receive the magnetizable abrasive particles therein, and wherein the distribution tool comprises a plurality of cavities configured to impart at least one of a predetermined orientation and alignment of the magnetizable abrasive particles; dispensing the magnetizable abrasive particles into the cavities of the distribution tool and applying a force F2 to retain the magnetizable abrasive particles within the cavities; inverting the distribution tool such that the force F2 retains at least some of the magnetizable abrasive particles against the force of gravity; positioning (i) a backing adjacent to the distribution tool and spaced therefrom by a gap, wherein the gap is at least as large as a maximum dimension of the magnetizeable abrasive particles; and (ii) a magnet below the backing; using the magnet, applying a magnetic field to at least the backing and a portion of the gap between the backing and the distribution tool to exert a first magnetic force F1 on the magnetizable abrasive particles to influence transfer of the magnetizable abrasive particles from the cavities of the distribution tool to the backing; and removing or changing the force F2 prior to or simultaneous with transfer of the magnetizable abrasive particles from the plurality of cavities; transferring the magnetizable abrasive particles from the distribution tool to a first major surface of the backing, wherein the magnetic field is applied during the transfer of the magnetizable abrasive particles.