Some embodiments relate to a die that has been formed by improved dicing techniques. The die includes a substrate which includes upper and lower substrate surfaces with a vertical substrate sidewall extending therebetween. The vertical substrate sidewall corresponds to an outermost edge of the substrate. A device layer is arranged over the upper substrate surface. A crack stop is arranged over an upper surface of the device layer and has an outer perimeter that is spaced apart laterally from the vertical substrate sidewall. The die exhibits a tapered sidewall extending downward through at least a portion of the device layer to meet the vertical substrate sidewall.