Your Glowforge Helper, with Glowforge Answers!

• If the lid doesn't close all the way, ensure the machine is level
• Make 20 of the hold down push pins. Use more push pins than you need. Always. They will break from time to time - just print more on small scraps that are otherwise unusable
• When you put new material in the machine and close the lid, ensure there is not very bright lights right above the machine. it will alter the ability for the camera to focus well
• Use "Set Focus" before modifying any cut or engrave settings, and change the focal height to "auto". If you have not Set Focus first, the "Auto" will revert to an arbitrary number.
• Alignment is a relative term. Read the "Understanding Alignment" How To
• When engraving, you want the image to be as wide as possible, and it may benefit from you turning the project. The machine engraves right to left, and moves forward and back. If the machine can travel further side to side during the engrave process, it spends more time engraving, and less time slowing down or changing directions. 

After closing the lid and going into your GF Dashboard (In this order):

• Ensure proper material is selected. (thickness and ply vs hard) It may or may not register the QR code if you use Proofgrade material, and also, you may have put the QR to the back side if you are engraving over that area as the thick sticker does effect engrave quality
• Go to the 3 dots (top, right) and "Set focus" to the Middle of the area that you will be running the job (if using a portion of a full size panel.) If you are using a full sheet, use the center area of the sheet. If you are using a smaller piece, put the piece under the camera.
• Now where you place your design will be accurate. Place your designs where none of it is grey, which means it is outside of machines usable area) and where they do not touch over overlap each other. Engraving can use less area, the machine needs a buffer to slow down.
• If something no longer "fits" that used to fit - it may be because your speeds are higher now. Higher speeds results in more room needed as a "buffer" for the mechanics to slow down, so it makes the workable area smaller, especially on engraves.
• Always test new material. If you run a design, check the pieces before you remove any of your hold down pins. If you use a vacuum to suck it out or a piece of tape, and the piece does not come out easily - it is fine to run a second pass as long as you don't move anything. 
• Your test cut should be a small star or something with some detail. A circle will skew results.