A method of separating a coated substrate, the method comprising: directing an infrared laser beam onto a first surface of the coated substrate wherein: the coated substrate comprises a coating layer disposed on a transparent workpiece; a plurality of defects is disposed within the coated substrate, extending into both the coating layer and the transparent workpiece and disposed along a contour line that divides a primary region of the coated substrate from a dummy region of the coated substrate; and the infrared laser beam projects an infrared beam spot onto the first surface of the coated substrate; and characterized by: translating at least one of the coated substrate and the infrared laser beam relative to each other such that the infrared beam spot traces an oscillating pathway, wherein: the oscillating pathway follows an offset line in a translation direction and oscillates between an inner track line and an outer track line; the oscillating pathway is disposed on the dummy region of the coated substrate; and the infrared laser beam applies thermal energy to the plurality of defects disposed in the coated substrate and inducing separation of the coated substrate along the contour line. directing an infrared laser beam onto a first surface of the coated substrate wherein: the coated substrate comprises a coating layer disposed on a transparent workpiece; a plurality of defects is disposed within the coated substrate, extending into both the coating layer and the transparent workpiece and disposed along a contour line that divides a primary region of the coated substrate from a dummy region of the coated substrate; and the infrared laser beam projects an infrared beam spot onto the first surface of the coated substrate; and characterized by: the coated substrate comprises a coating layer disposed on a transparent workpiece; a plurality of defects is disposed within the coated substrate, extending into both the coating layer and the transparent workpiece and disposed along a contour line that divides a primary region of the coated substrate from a dummy region of the coated substrate; and the infrared laser beam projects an infrared beam spot onto the first surface of the coated substrate; and characterized by: translating at least one of the coated substrate and the infrared laser beam relative to each other such that the infrared beam spot traces an oscillating pathway, wherein: the oscillating pathway follows an offset line in a translation direction and oscillates between an inner track line and an outer track line; the oscillating pathway is disposed on the dummy region of the coated substrate; and the infrared laser beam applies thermal energy to the plurality of defects disposed in the coated substrate and inducing separation of the coated substrate along the contour line. the oscillating pathway follows an offset line in a translation direction and oscillates between an inner track line and an outer track line; the oscillating pathway is disposed on the dummy region of the coated substrate; and the infrared laser beam applies thermal energy to the plurality of defects disposed in the coated substrate and inducing separation of the coated substrate along the contour line.