Black PCB  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 03:42:36 pm
content: I've seen Black PCB boards around are they available to the public in general or are they custom boards?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 03:57:17 pm
content: A better question would be "Whodoesn'toffer black PCBs?". It's just another solder mask color. Everyone down to cheap ol' ITEAD has the option. Be prepared to spend a bit more though.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 04:07:20 pm
content: Elecrowoffers black soldermask at the same prices as iTead and Seeed with no up-charge for colors. I recently had a black board made and it's sexy.You can see somedetails and pictures of my board here. (Sorry, my iPad won't give me a link to a picture directly)

author: marmad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 04:07:49 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on May 17, 2013, 03:57:17 pmBut in case it's important to you, be aware of how dense a particular manufacturers black ink is. Some black solder masks are absolutely opaque - while others are translucent.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 04:15:53 pm
content: I seeElec Freakshas recently added black to their soldermask options, also at iTead and Seeed prices with no up-charge for colors other than the standard green.I have not personally used Elec Freaks so I can't speak to their quality.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2013, 04:39:06 pm
content: Thanks everyone I genuinely didn't know

author: ptricks
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 01:38:51 am
content: You can also get Black and red, yellow, green copper clad boards on ebay if you want DIY.

author: glatocha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 03:58:48 am
content: I used to make my own board and paint them with the nails paint.Looked really nice. I always paint the non cooper side (one sided boards).

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 09:07:41 am
content: Quote from: marmad on May 17, 2013, 04:07:49 pmYou can also get matt black - much less common than the normal gloss colours. One issue with it is it's impossible to see the traces underneath so makes track-hacking a bit of a challenge!

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 09:56:26 am
content: Isnt that the point of black solder mask

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 10:35:35 am
content: Quote from: Jon Chandler on May 17, 2013, 04:07:20 pmI'm planning on sending my next PCB design to them and have it made in black. Would you mind posting a picture of your boards, so I know what to expect?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 10:44:22 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 18, 2013, 09:07:41 amAs exemplified byApple's products... although some thicker traces are visible, they go the extra mile and omit the silkscreen.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 03:00:43 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on May 18, 2013, 10:44:22 amThere are 3 reasons to omit the silkscreen.1) You don't want any one to look at it from a technical P.O.V2) There is so many components in tight areas it would be unreadable3) You get charged for adding the silkscreen and work for a tight arsed companyNeil

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 03:13:34 pm
content: Quote from: Dave on May 18, 2013, 10:35:35 amThere are several pictures posted in the link in my post above. With my iPad, I can't get the URL of the pics to link them here. I'll post one here - please check out the link to see a few more.

author: Dave
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 03:44:21 pm
content: Quote from: Jon Chandler on May 18, 2013, 03:13:34 pmHeh, I rushed with my question before reading your entire post.The boards look very nice.Did they add that (what looks like internal manufacturing code) number in the middle of the DIL footprint? If yes, did you specifically ask them to hide it under there?I know iTead ignore any requests for that code placement and just slap it on the most inappropriate place on the entire board.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2013, 04:33:14 pm
content: Yes, they added the code and no, I did not make any request to have them hide it.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 07:06:44 am
content: They generally put the code on the top layer. If you don't want it to show on the good side of your board, flip/mirror the gerber files around using a gerber editor/viewer or in Eagle before exporting, so the "top" side ends up being the bottom layer