We report here improvements in flatness/form aluminum alloy work material surfaces created using single point diamond turning. Unlike achievement of surface finish requirements, achievement of flatness over the entire work surface of finite sized workpiece including edge regions is a major challenge for the optics industries; relaxation of the work surface near the edges deteriorates the surface flatness significantly. Several factors such as work geometry, material condition, fixturing methods, process conditions and cutting edge effects were studied. Double-side tape mount was seen to be best method of mounting than vacuum and porous fixtures. Serendipitous experiments showed us that cutting with the side edge of the tool, where the nose radius of the cutting edge meets the straight edge, causes marked improvements in surface flatness. We attribute the flatness improvement to the wiping effect of the flank side of the cutting tool on the work surface. Tape mount, together with side cutting edge and optimized process conditions led to best flatness improvements. Copyright © (2014) by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers All rights reserved.