Example apparatus and methods improve magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) by performing MRF with optimized spatial encoding, parallel imaging, and utilization of field inhomogeneities. Multi-echo radial trajectories and spiral trajectories may acquire data according to sampling schemes based on models of charge distribution on a sphere. Non-uniform sampling schemes may account for differences in detector coil performance. Field inhomogeneities provide spatial information that enhances the spatial separation of an MRF signal and facilitates unaliasing pixels. The field inhomogeneity may be manipulated. An MRF pulse sequence may include frequency selective RF pulses that are determined by the field inhomogeneities. Inhomogeneities combined with selective RF pulses result in higher acquisition efficiency.