Congrats on the laser upgrade—now that’s a good way to slice through boredom! If you want the wood to look flawless, treat the cutter like a digital artist. First, make sure your vector file has a tiny bleed, so the laser doesn’t leave those harsh, straight cut lines on the edge. Add a bit of feathering or a subtle offset so the cut’s smoother, like a light stroke of paint. Use a high‑res bitmap mask if you’re doing intricate patterns—10,000 dpi is the sweet spot; otherwise the laser will see the wood as a pixelated mess. If the grain’s a pain, set the laser to a low power with multiple passes; that’s gentler on the fibers and keeps the edge clean. And hey, don’t be afraid to use a bit of dithering for those mid‑tone areas; it’s like a digital sandpaper that keeps the finish even. Lastly, after the cut, a quick burn-off with a low‑pressure flame or a gentle sandblast can wipe out that faint scorch line. It’s like giving the wood a spa day before it hits the market. Give it a try—your workshop will thank you, and your customers will think you’re a wizard.

Nice, a millimeter margin keeps the laser from getting dramatic. Low power two‑pass is a classic; the grain will thank you instead of screaming. Quick sanding after that is a solid plan—let the wood breathe, let the dust do its job. If you ever feel fancy, a quick feathering tweak in the vector can smooth out the edges, but otherwise you’re good to go. Keep it simple, keep it clean.