- Introduction: There are two main methods for the hobbyist to make PCB's. The first is how most people start, by laying down special etch resistant transfers onto clean copper board and then etching the board in a bath of ferrous chloride solution. The second is to produce the artwork (foils) for the PCB layout using a PC software application, and then to transfer the track pattern to the copper board using a technique similar to developing and printing a photograph. Both methods are quite straightforward, but the latter method, which is more expensive but quicker, produces better results and allows more dense population of the PCB.
- Method: There are six main steps to making a PCB, which are shown in the graphic below. Clicking on each of the steps will provide more information. At the foot of this page is a downloadable version of these pages.
I will only provide a summary of the steps involved in making the PCB on this site, but will make available a document for download in due course that will provide more details of each stage of the process.
