Thank you for your purchase and for supporting a small business! Below you’ll find helpful hints and tried and true tricks I’ve learned myself and picked up from fellow crafters over the years. I’ve been painting for more than 20 years, and one thing I’ve learned is that craft painting is a journey. Some techniques click right away, while others take a little time to master. What works beautifully for one person might not be the perfect fit for another, and that’s completely okay. I myself have changed the tools and techniques I’ve used over the years. These tips aren’t the only way to paint — they’re simply a starting point.

I encourage you to experiment, explore, and discover what works for you. Enjoy the process and have fun creating!

Laser‑Cut Wood Basics

We use birch face ply for all of our laser‑cut items to ensure crisp, precise pieces. 

Burn marks, a light smoky smell, and a bit of gummy residue from scoring or engraving are all normal parts of the laser‑cutting process.

Use a baby wipe or give the wood a quick sanding to remove marks, residue, and any lingering scent.

About warping: Wood warps when moisture changes unevenly inside the wood, causing one side to expand or shrink more than the other and this can happen, before, during or after painting and sealing. Slight warping in 1/8″ wood is common and normal, but we never knowingly ship pieces with severe warping. In most cases, a small curve won’t affect your project, but it can be more troublesome in larger pieces. Please also understand, that the warping may have happened AFTER we shipped the item to you. If you feel the piece you received isn’t usable due to warping, please reach out so we can make it right. 

Wood Prep

Some painters seal the wood before painting and some do not. Here are some points to consider when deciding whether or not to seal your wood. 

Sealing Before Painting

  • Pros: Smoother application and fewer coats, prevents the wood from absorbing the paint.
  • Cons: Adds extra work, the cost of the sealer and the wood will have to be sanded before painting.

Not Sealing First

  • Pros: Saves time and works well with most paints.
  • Cons: Wood absorbs more paint, light colors may need extra coats, and you may need to sand in between layers.

Whichever option you choose, sanding your wood before painting will give you a smoother, more even application. For raw wood or wood that has been sealed, I use a 120–180 grit paper or sanding block. For sanding between paint coats, use 220–320 grit or a brown paper bag. Always remove sanding dust before applying paint so your finish stays clean and smooth.

Pro Tip! To sand multiple small/tiny pieces all at once, secure them on painter's tape and then lightly sand the tops using a sanding block.

Base Coating

Base coating is usually done in one of three ways: with a brush, a roller, or a makeup sponge. As a general rule, the smaller the piece, the smaller the tool you’ll want to use. For larger projects like door hangers or porch leaners, a roller (think 4″ paint roller) or a wider brush (I use a 1″ brush) works well. For smaller items such as shelf sitters and ornaments, a smaller brush or makeup sponge gives you more control.

No matter which tool you choose, expect to apply multiple coats to achieve the coverage you want — especially with lighter colors. Use thin, even layers and allow each coat to dry before adding the next.

Pro tip! When base coating around engraved areas, use a makeup sponge. Use small amounts of paint and tap or bounce lightly so it doesn’t get down into the engraving. Build up the color with several thin coats.