PCB manufacturer that allows for full color image silkscreens. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 06, 2023, 03:15:22 pm
content: I remember reading about this a few years ago, but I've been unsuccessful in finding it. I'd like to do more than a basic silkscreen in an upcoming project. Other than having it manufactured without a silkscreen and then taking the board to a shirt printer, what options do I have?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2023, 10:29:13 pm
content: https://hackaday.com/2020/12/19/bringing-full-colour-pcb-art-to-production/https://hackaday.com/2018/02/26/successful-experiments-in-multicolor-circuit-boards/

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 01:46:04 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on March 06, 2023, 10:29:13 pmThank you. Going through those links showed me what I had originally seen. This is not going to happen.

author: trophosphere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 06:30:05 am
content: I'm sure if you ask and tell them you are willing to pay through the nose for the unusual requirement you will likely get an offer.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 06:47:47 am
content: Yeah the PCB manufacturer can simply send the board trough the silkscreening step multiple times to get multiple colors. I seen some PC montherboards use that to get fancier visual designs on them.The issue is that you will have to make a rather big order with the PCB manufacturer for them to be worth dealing with this. All the cheep low volume ones are optimized around a standard workflow and combining multiple boards into giant panels.The UV printing mentioned above sounds like the best bet. But if you want to try something DIY you could try the laser printer toner transfer method (usually used to etch PCBs at home) to transfer a color print into white silkscreen. Tho the problem with laser printer toner is that strong solvents might wash it off, so careful with cleaning the flux from such a board.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 07:38:29 am
content: Good grief, that PCB image of Widlar looks awful.Unless he actually was an undead, brain eating, rotting zombie - in which case, good work!

author: srb1954
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 07:58:48 am
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on March 07, 2023, 07:38:29 amHe was reportedly a very heavy drinker so that may have taken a toll on his health and appearance

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 08:29:54 am
content: Yep, its so unusual they wont have it listed on their website. You have to ask.Not full color though, just every solder mask color they offer.They will quote a price high enough to justify that you are asking for something abnormal that they have to go to some trouble to arrange.

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 03:49:02 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on March 07, 2023, 08:29:54 amYes, that's what I've come to find as well. Thank you. It's a nonstarter. It's a cool idea, but money is tight and I cannot afford to waste it on this.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2024, 07:46:02 am
content: Bumping old thread with thishttps://jlcpcb.com/blog/653-multi-color-silkscreen-pcbwith the knowledge that it's a possible april's fools, but the options are therenot that i'm going to use easy eda for this.

author: Jackster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2024, 10:07:39 am
content: They have been testing the full colour for a few months now.Looks like general availability is here now.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2024, 11:23:38 am
content: Eurocircuits has offered this since 2014 IIRC. It’s the “Pixture editor” option on their online PCB pricing tool.JLCPCB just introduced it.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2024, 11:26:39 am
content: Quote from: JPortici on April 03, 2024, 07:46:02 amAdded www to URL to make it appear; not sure why the forum is hiding the link without it.