Finishing options comparison
| Feature | Raw | Vegetable Oil | Paraffin Oil | Hard Wax | Lacquer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Engraving | Best engraving contrast 🏆 |
Clearly visible | Clearly visible | Clearly visible | Clearly visible Interesting 3D effect with full color |
| Price | – | 💰 | 💰💰 | 💰💰💰 | 💰💰💰💰 |
Food Contact |
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Application | For further finishing by customer | Cutting boards | Cutting boards |
|
Restaurants, hotels, heavy use |
| Cleaning | Damp cloth, no soaking | Re-oil every 2–3 washes | Re-oil every 2–3 washes |
|
Easy to clean, water resistant |
|
Water Resistance  |
❌ wood absorbs water | 🔶 basic internal protection | 🔶 basic internal protection | ✅ surface protection (beading) | 🏆 highest, durable coating |
| Stain Resistance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | 🔶wipe spills immediately | ✅ |
| UV Protection | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
|
Fiber Raising Protection 
|
❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Aroma | None | Vegetable oil scent Possible bad smell after some time when oil oxidate. |
None | None | None |
|
Marks on Packaging  |
✅ none | ❌ leaves marks, shrink-wrap recommended | ❌ leaves marks, shrink-wrap recommended | ✅ none | ✅ none |
BRAND OWNERS
If you want to offer customers cutting boards or decorative trays:
- packaged with paper bands or bulk packs
- packaging without plastic
- product finished with food-grade oil/wax
- you do not need to instruct customers about the natural fiber-raising effect of oak when in contact with water
Chechk wood rising fiber effect in bigger photo.
Recommendation: HARD WAX
PERSONALIZATION COMPANIES
If laser contrast on wood matters to you, choose a RAW FINISH.
Remember:
- Instruct your customers to treat the product with vegetable or paraffin oil.
FOR HOME – CUTTING BOARDS
When purchasing cutting boards, choose the most natural finish: ANY
- raw
- oiled with paraffin or vegetable oil
- sealed with hard wax
- do not purchase lacquered boards – recognizable by a distinct shine (often imported from the Far East)
Remember:
- oak boards – after first contact with water, a natural fiber-raising effect may occur; watch this video for tips to remove it
- regularly treat boards with paraffin or vegetable oil
- even if a board or tray is sealed with hard wax, you can refresh it later with paraffin oil
FOR HOME – WOODEN TRAYS & DECOR
When purchasing trays or decorative items, choose the most natural finish:
- Raw – beautiful, but will fade over time from sunlight 👎
- Oiled with vegetable oil – not recommended; vegetable oil isn’t suitable for decor, it will go rancid and become sticky 👎
- Oiled with paraffin oil – a good choice but low stain resistance 👍
- Sealed with hard wax – a good choice; stain and UV resistant, food safe, but not stain-proof—wipe spills immediately 👍
- Lacquered – easiest to maintain, stain and UV resistant; do not place food directly on it 👍
RESTAURANT KITCHEN BOARDS
Recommendation: ANY
- raw
- oiled with paraffin or vegetable oil
- hard wax – a slightly better choice, but under heavy use the finish will wear off, so oiled boards are sufficient
BOARDS & TRAYS FOR SERVING FOOD
If you mind easy use and durablility: Matt Lacquer
- Easy to wipe coffee stains
- Serve food on the board separated by parchment paper - hygenic
If you mind natural look: paraffin oil
- Serve food on the board separated by parchment paper - hygenic
- Product is not coated by outer layer - remember about regular cleanining and oiling, no stains protection
