The present invention relates to a method of preparation of formulations of gadolinium metal complexes of the macrocyclic chelator DOTA as a meglumine salt, which further comprise a small excess of free DOTA. The method uses controlled conditions such that excess gadolinium is present as a precipitate of gadolinium oxide, with filtration to remove the excess, prior to the addition of a defined excess of DOTA chelator. Also provided is a method of preparation ofMRI contrast agents based on Gd-DOTA.