For me it varies with the type of pre-cut. Jelly rolls I keep together, unless they are "utility" rolls (all white, all black, etc.). Charms and layer cakes, though, always seem to have the nicest pattern on top. Unless you buy from MSQ, where you can see everything in the pack, you generally have a few duds in the group. I pull these out and cut them into smaller pieces a la Bonnie Hunter ("if it's still ugly, you didn't cut it small enough").