Abstract Metallographic preparation is an art, especially when relevant information hidden at the micro- or nano-scale has to be unraveled. In particular, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) is a technique that provides valuable information of the microstructure of bulk and coatings. Indeed, information regarding evolution of the morphology, size and orientation of grains is very relevant for the design and fabrication of new commercial coatings. Metallographic preparation for EBSD analysis of hard coatings consisting of Al 2 O 3 and TiCN layers is presented in this work. In particular, preparation timing during grinding and polishing is discussed. EBSD data is presented and correlated with the metallographic preparation parameters. The main conclusions of this work highlight the importance of systematic preparation of all the successive metallographic procedures and the understanding of the quality parameters associated with the EBSD scans and data processing.