Good looking PCBs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: robotix3
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 03:54:58 pm
content: Is there a reasonably priced low-volume PCB manufacturer that I can get PCBs that look like this?I've been looking at too many teardowns and now I need my projects to look like this lol... Been using PCBway, oshPark and Seeed. They're great and all but none come close to these sort of PCBs. Is this a high-volume only thing? I'm interested in the soldermask texture/color btw.

author: rea5245
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 04:03:59 pm
content: Several manufacturers, including PCBWay and Seeed, offer black soldermask - usually for an extra $10 or so. As always, go toPCBShopper.com, enter your board's specs, specify the soldermask color you want, and see prices and delivery times from up to 27 different PCB manufacturers. (Disclosure: I run PCBShopper.)- Bob

author: robotix3
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 04:39:35 pm
content: PCBWay and seeeds black soldermask is too opaque compared to the image I posted, as well as not being matte. And the image I posted is more grey.

author: ar__systems
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 06:37:42 pm
content: We ordered black mask boards from Elecrow. They are fine, although silkscreen is rasterized.

author: ar__systems
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 06:40:06 pm
content: Quote from: robotix3 on September 24, 2016, 04:39:35 pmWell now that's just being ridiculousIt is nice to have pretty looking boards, but at the end of the day that does not affect functionality in any way.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2016, 09:28:06 pm
content: I wasn't thrilled with how the matte boards I ordered from elecrow turned out after the extra $20 charge. The silkscreen wasn't nearly as bright and was a bit choppy though elecrow did make it right by adding some credit to my account for my next order. You can get their shiny black for no extra charge and it looks very nice, but is shiny.

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2016, 06:12:20 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on September 25, 2016, 12:23:17 amReally? My experience with boards that have black soldermask is that the solder seems to "stick" to the soldermask. Like if you sweep over the surface with a soldering iron which has solder in it you will get a streak of solder on the soldermask. It will come off easily and hasn't seemed to affect the reflow process but just something I noticed. These boards are not low cost chinese ones btw., don't know how much difference between manufacturers there is.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2016, 06:50:31 am
content: Quote from: robotix3 on September 24, 2016, 04:39:35 pmWas that regular black or matte black specified? Matte black is available at pcbway but is more expensive than regular one.

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2016, 07:14:01 am
content: Yegods, I hate black solder mask. Can't wait for this goofy trend to run its course.

author: Foxtrot_Bravo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 27, 2016, 02:32:19 am
content: Quote from: robotix3 on September 24, 2016, 03:54:58 pm5pcb.com -- both shiney and flat black, no extra charges.We've been using them for many years, including paste masks, and recently trying them out on assembly. Very good value, fast, good plating ( each order includes an encapsulated cross section of inspection).I also prefer the black or blue masks.FrankSent from my B1-770 using Tapatalk

author: technotronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2016, 01:33:51 pm
content: PCBWay is good, you may find it there. Also you can check here.http://www.technotronix.us/pcb-design.htmlCustomized PCB manufacturer have over more than 40 years of experience in pcb manufacturing and assembly.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2016, 04:21:12 pm
content: Here are some PCBs that I ordered fromhttp://www.silvercircuits.comprototype run. You can only specify a black mask for their production boards.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2016, 11:10:42 pm
content: Quote from: KE5FX on September 25, 2016, 07:14:01 amTrend? It must be a *very* long running trend, because I've seen matte black boards in gear since at least the mid-80's!Compaq, 1987:

author: TheRevva
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 08:29:17 pm
content: Quote from: timb on November 16, 2016, 11:10:42 pmThat's NOT black... It's just VERY VERY VERY dark white!!! <Grins>

author: richardlawson1489
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2017, 06:50:51 am
content: Have you tried to find out good looking PCB from pcbshoppers? Also, you can contact any PCB Manufacturer with your requirements.