To make the advantages of electromagnetic forming applicable for industrial manufacturing, a three step tool design strategy is suggested. At first, simplified decoupled electromagnetic and structural mechanical simulations are used for creating a preliminary design via a systematic iterative optimization process. The selected design is verified in more accurate coupled simulations. A prototypic realization serves for further optimization, if necessary. The applicability of the approach is proved on the basis of an inductor system for magnetic pulse welding of tubes.