Custom PCBs: The Ultimate Guide to Designing and Ordering Your Own PCB

Custom PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) are customized circuit boards designed to meet specific requirements or applications that standard off-the-shelf PCBs cannot fulfill. They are utilized in a broad array of electronic devices and systems, serving as a base for mounting and connecting electronic components like resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, and connectors. Custom PCBs facilitate the creation of specialized and innovative electronic devices, offering the adaptability to fulfill particular functional and performance needs.  

Custom PCBs unleash innovation by rapidly and consistently bringing new products to market in a timely manner. For professional custom printed circuit board manufacturing, you need a provider with cutting-edge technology and expertise to deliver reliable and high-quality custom PCBs. This includes proper designing and layout tools, customizable material selection, single to multi-layer PCB manufacturing capabilities, a fully active production line, fast turnaround, and delivery services. JLCPCB offers all these facilities with a fully automated production line that helps minimize costs.

Types of Custom PCBs

A printed circuit board contains various circuits designed to perform single or multiple functions. Each industry has unique demands, accompanied by specific requirements and regulations that must be followed during production. The main types of PCBs are single-sided, double-sided, multi-layered, and flexible PCBs. PCB manufacturers utilize different types of PCBs to match various products. The types of printed circuit boards include:

Single-sided PCB

In the single-sided type of PCB, only one layer of the board has conductive material over which electric tracks can be routed. A suitable electrical conductor, such as copper, is used to shield one side of the substrate. The solder mask is present on the copper layer, and a silkscreen coat is typically used to mark the parts of the board. An advantage of this type of board is that it is more cost-effective because components are mounted on only one side of the board. Therefore, only SMT components can be mounted on these boards.

Double-sided Printed Circuit Boards

Unlike the single-sided printed circuit board, the double-sided printed circuit board has both of its substrate surfaces coated with conductive metal layers, with components and parts fixed on both sides. Vias and holes are used to electrically connect the layers together. This is a basic configuration of a PCB that can be easily manufactured at low prices. Both through-hole and SMT components can be mounted on these boards.

Multilayer Printed Circuit Boards

As the complexity of the circuit increased, the number of inner layers also increased to save space. Multilayer printed circuit boards serve more functions compared to double-sided printed circuit boards. Multilayer printed circuit boards can have up to 20 layers or more. Multilayer PCBs have various applications in smart devices, mobile phones, and laptops.

Flex Printed Circuit Boards

Flex PCB from jlcpcb

The flexible PCBs or FPCs are designed using a flexible substrate. Unlike rigid printed circuit boards that cannot conform to desired shapes, flexible printed circuit boards excel in this aspect. They offer significant advantages over rigid boards because of their flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

What are the advantages of custom PCBs?

Custom PCBs offer several advantages, making them a preferred choice for specialized and high-performance electronic applications. Custom PCBs allow for aesthetic and functional enhancements, such as the use of various solder mask colors, branding elements, and other specific design features. Some of the highlighted advantages include:

• Space-saving: The design can be customized according to space requirements, allowing for the use of complex and dense designs to save space.

• Automated production reduces labor costs and increases repeatability, accuracy, and quality.

• Easy Repair: Self-designed boards are easy to troubleshoot and repair in case of any damage or component burn.

Custom PCBs can also incorporate unique materials and layer configurations, enhancing durability, thermal management, and overall reliability. This is particularly crucial in applications that require high reliability, such as aerospace, medical devices, and industrial equipment. Ultimately, custom PCBs offer a competitive advantage by enabling innovative design solutions that are optimized for specific applications and operational environments.

What are the disadvantages of custom PCBs?

Custom PCBs, while offering significant advantages in terms of design flexibility and optimization, also come with several disadvantages. One of the primary challenges is the increased cost, particularly for low-volume production or prototypes, as the design, setup, and manufacturing processes can be more expensive compared to standard, off-the-shelf PCBs. Some main difficulties are listed below:

● High research and development time.

- It is difficult to revise multiple times.

● Requirement of proper tools and calculation software.

Errors in PCBs are difficult to identify and troubleshoot.

● PCB technology changes so rapidly that, within two years, components in a PCB design can become obsolete and expensive to repair or replace.

Custom PCBs may also have longer lead times because they require more intricate design validation and testing phases to ensure functionality and reliability. Additionally, the need for precise specifications and detailed documentation can lead to increased design and development time, potentially causing delays in project timelines.

Based on their pros and cons, custom PCBs are well-suited for high-volume applications that do not change frequently. Once the initial design and tooling are completed, production can be very cost-effective, and you can be assured that each PCB will be identical.

How to design your own custom PCB?

For the designing of custom PCBs, proper schematic and layout making tools are required. Some open-source tools are available offline, but they may not have the latest footprint and schematic symbol support. Therefore, the online tool can be used for designing PCBs. To design your custom PCB, follow the steps given below:

1. Schematic Design: The schematic capture is simply the graphical representation of a circuit. A schematic contains the wiring diagram and component data in a block diagram format. Below is a basic schematic diagram for reference; the circuit can be modified according to specific requirements by consulting various component datasheets.

2.Schematic to Layout: The actual PCB connections and parts are imported from the schematics, and after placement, routing can be done. Single to multilayer PCBs can be easily created using this online tool. Here is what the PCB looks like after routing:

3. DRC Check: After completing the PCB design, a Design Rule Check (DRC) tool is used to identify errors in PCBs. Users can customize the tool according to their requirements.

4. Obtain PCB Gerber file: Gerber files are used to place orders with manufacturers. These files contain all the essential information such as holes, vias, tracks, layers, and stackup required for the manufacturing process.

Stack-up Decision for Custom PCBs

Choosing the right stack-up configuration for custom PCBs is a critical decision in the design process, impacting the board's performance, manufacturability, and cost. The stack-up refers to the arrangement of the layers in a PCB, including the number of conductive layers, the type of substrate materials, and the placement of ground and power planes. A well-designed stack-up can improve signal integrity by reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk between signals, which is especially important for high-speed or high-frequency circuits. It also aids in effective thermal management and can provide structural integrity to the board.

Factors such as the complexity of the circuitry, the need for controlled impedance, and the physical constraints of the final product influence the stack-up choices. Proper stack-up design ensures that the PCB meets electrical, mechanical, and thermal performance criteria while optimizing cost and manufacturability. Below are some basic PCB stack-ups for reference, which can be modified according to the user’s application.

The basic PCB stack-up for a 6-layer PCB with EMI/EMC considerations:

• Signal Layer

• Ground plane

• Signal Layer

• Power Plane

• Ground Plane

• Signal Layer

The basic PCB stack up for 4 layer PCB with EMI/ EMC consideration for audio applications:

• Signal Layer

• Ground plane

• Ground Plane

• Signal Layer

The basic PCB stack-up for a 4-layer PCB designed for embedded solutions

• Signal Layer

• Ground plane

• Power Plane

• Signal Layer

Order your Custom PCB from JLCPCB in just 3 steps

Upload : Upload your designed Gerber file to get an instant quote on PCB.

Select: Select the base material, quantity, thickness, PCB colour, silk screen and PCB surface finishing according to the requirements.

Add the PCBs to your cart and place the order. Our streamlined process from ordering to PCB prototyping enables you to iterate, enhance, and receive the PCBs on time.

Get your custom PCBs assembled directly from the manufacturer.

PCB Assembly (PCBA) is the process of mounting and soldering electronic components onto a printed circuit board (PCB) to create a functional electronic assembly. JLCPCB offers both Through-Hole Technology (THT) and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) component assembly. This service, only offered by specialized companies, involves several key steps such as applying solder paste to the PCB, placing components using pick-and-place machines, and soldering the components in place, typically through reflow or wave soldering techniques. Additional processes like inspection, testing, and quality control ensure the reliability and functionality of the assembled PCBs.

The benefits of using a professional PCBA service include access to advanced equipment and expertise, faster turnaround times, and improved quality and consistency in the final product. These services are essential for companies aiming to efficiently bring electronic products to market with high quality. Professional PCBA services handle the intricate and precise work of component assembly, enabling designers and manufacturers to concentrate on development and innovation.

Colorful Custom PCB Service from JLCPCB

JLCPCB offers a "Colourful Custom PCB" service, which allows customers to choose from a variety of solder mask colors for their custom PCBs. This service provides options beyond the traditional green solder mask, including colors like red, blue, white, black, and yellow. By selecting different colors, designers can enhance the aesthetic appeal of their products and use color coding to differentiate between various types of boards or highlight specific areas of a circuit.

The availability of multiple color options caters to both functional and branding needs, allowing for greater creativity and customization in electronic design. JLCPCB's service ensures that these colorful options are available at competitive prices, making it accessible for hobbyists and professionals alike to add a personalized touch to their PCBs.