SMT Stencil Knowledge,Design Rules&Printing Techniques

Stencil Technology

How to Choose an SMT Stencil

What is an SMT stencil? SMT Stencil is a thin metal sheet used in the soldering process for SMT (Surface Mount Technology) and it plays an essential role in the SMT soldering process. Smt Stencil allows the direct placement of solder paste onto the SMD pads of PCB, which can help prevent errors and defects during the reflow soldering process. This results in a precise amount of tin coverage once the work is completed. Types of SMT Stencils Depending on the application of solder paste, there are three ......

Jan 30, 2024

Stencil Manufacturing

Custom Cut Stencils for PCB Assembly: How to Cut, Use and Choose the Right PCB Stencil

Custom-cut stencil and Solder paste printing are two of the most vital processes in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) PCB assembly, concerning solder joint quality, electrical performance, and product reliability over time. SMT stencils are used to deposit solder paste in accurate amounts onto PCB pads, or for depositing and compressing adhesive pastes which are arranged in the form of a column on components such as connectors and sockets. While PCB designs have seen a trend toward increased density, fin......

Jan 31, 2026

Stencil Manufacturing

Custom Stencil Maker: How Custom SMT Stencils Are Designed, Made, and Used

Custom stencils and solder paste printing are two of the most critical processes in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Assembly, which directly affect the quality, reliability, and performance of electronic products. Before a component is placed on it, the SMT stencil is responsible for controlling how much and where solder paste is applied onto PCB pads. A well-defined stencil leads to less variation in joint geometry and size, as well as producing better production yield. To reach that level of accuracy......

Jan 30, 2026

Stencil Technology

Order Custom Stencils for PCB Assembly: How to Make, Buy, and Choose the Right Supplier

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) stencils are essential tools in modern PCB assembly. They are thin sheets of metal, usually stainless steel, with precise cut-outs that allow solder paste to be applied accurately to PCB pads. The quality of the stencil directly affects solder paste deposition, which in turn impacts the reliability of the final assembled PCB. Engineers often need to order custom stencils instead of relying on generic options. Every PCB design has unique pad layouts, component densities, ......

Jan 30, 2026

Stencil Technology

Surface Mount Stencil: A Practical Guide for SMT Printing and Solder Paste Application

It starts with a slim piece of metal, slipped in early during assembly. Before any part lands in place, before heat ever touches the board, that layer shapes the flow. Where the paste spreads comes down to its design. How thick it is, how it's cut - those details decide what sticks and what washes away. For engineers looking for reliable stencils, JLCPCB provides high-precision SMT stencils that integrate seamlessly with PCB production workflows. Down goes solder paste, slipping through narrow cuts in......

Jan 29, 2026

Stencil Technology

Custom Stencils for PCB Assembly: Design, Ordering, and Usage Guide

Have you ever faced solder bridging or insufficient solder issues that ruined an entire production batch? In many cases, the problem is not the pick-and-place machine, but the very first step of the process: solder paste printing. This is where custom stencils make the difference between a reliable product and one that requires extensive rework. Unlike rigid standard stencils, a custom SMT stencil gives engineers full control over solder paste volume, allowing precise adjustment to match increasingly ......

Jan 30, 2026

Stencil Manufacturing

Choosing the Right Stencil Maker for PCB Assembly

Surface mount technology assembly relies on controlled solder paste deposition across dense PCB pad layouts. SMT stencil makers regulate paste volume through apertures that match copper land patterns. A stencil maker machine influences solder joint geometry, electrical continuity, and reflow consistency. Laser cut stencil maker systems achieve aperture accuracy and stencil flatness for automated printing. Stencil makers exist as local stencil maker near me services and scalable online stencil maker pl......

Jan 30, 2026

Stencil Technology

Stencil in PCB: A Comprehensive Guide to PCB Stencil Design, Fabrication, and JLCPCB Solutions

Figures 1 Solder paste application using a stainless steel stencil to achieve high-precision results. In PCB assembly based on Surface-Mount Technology (SMT), precision is a key factor that determines the final quality of electronic products. One critical element that strongly influences soldering accuracy is the stencil. The stencil functions as a physical template that controls the distribution of solder paste onto PCB pads before components are placed. Accurate solder paste application produces rel......

Jan 27, 2026

Stencil Manufacturing

Understanding SMT Stencil Printers for Accurate PCB Solder Paste Printing

Stencil printing is a critical process in SMT (Surface Mount Technology) assembly, significantly impacting the quality and reliability of solder joints on PCBs. The crucial machine for implementing this is the SMT Stencil Printer, which applies an appropriate measure of solder paste to each pad of the PCB board before it goes to the placement of components. For those of you looking to work out what a stencil printer is and why it matters in manufacturing, you've come to the right place. This is the ba......

Jan 25, 2026

Stencil Manufacturing

Stencil Cutting Machine Guide: Choosing the Best Solution for PCB Stencil Manufacturing

In the PCB assembly process using Surface-Mount Technology (SMT), precision plays a critical role in determining the final quality of a market-ready product. One of the most crucial stages in SMT is the solder paste printing process, which is the first step in the SMT production line. In this process, the stencil functions as the medium that distributes solder paste onto each component pad. At this stage, the stencil cutting machine plays a vital role in determining the overall success of the assembly......

Jan 23, 2026

Stencil Technology

Laser Cut Stencil for PCB Assembly: Materials, Machines, and Key Advantages

Modern surface mount assembly relies on precise solder paste transfer across dense PCB pad arrays. Inconsistent paste volume produces opens, solder bridges, and unstable joints during reflow. PCB stencils control paste deposition through apertures that match copper land patterns, ensuring accurate and repeatable printing. Laser cut stencils achieve high dimensional accuracy with uniform aperture walls, which improve paste release for fine pitch components. These stencils handle prototype and productio......

Jan 23, 2026

Stencil Technology

Why PCB Stencil Are Key to High-Quality SMT Assembly

PCB(Printed Circuit Board) stencil is a critical component of Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly. It plays a vital role in ensuring the accuracy and consistency of SMT assembly results, which directly affects the functionality and performance of the final product. PCB stencil also called SMT stencil, Circuit Board stencil is used to apply solder paste to the PCB, which is then used to attach SMT components to the board. Without the use of PCB stencil, it becomes challenging to achieve high-qualit......

Jul 28, 2023

Stencil Manufacturing

What Are Laser Cut Stencils？ A Guide for PCB Assembly

Traditional PCB assembly processes require the manual placement of electronic components before soldering. However, the increasing complexity of electronic printed circuit boards, combined with the need for miniaturisation, necessitates mechanical assembly and solder paste application using SMT stencils. Placing and soldering many small components on a small circuit board is no longer practical.Stencils replace the hand soldering of surface mount components and the inconsistencies caused by hand solde......

Dec 27, 2025

Stencil Technology

How does Electropolishing Work in PCB Stencil

To ensure optimum solder paste release, PCB stencil producers must offer superior finishes. One method for enhancing the functionality of stencils is electropolishing. How does electropolishing improve PCB stencils, and what is it? The continuous application of laser beams during the PCB stencil-making process causes the opening or aperture wall to become rough. This occurs as a result of the sheet material being melted by the laser beam, which causes certain surface irregularities. Electropolishing i......

Dec 27, 2025

Stencil Technology

Types of Solder Stencils: Laser-Cut, Electroformed and Etched

I had covered a lot of stencils in the past, they are awesome tools for an electronics designer. At this point everyone knows they are a simple thin piece of steel which acts as a mask for soldering paste. Once applied we can put the components and heat them. And we have our PCB ready! Too simple. Although there are some steps which we have to look into such as soldering paste thermal profile and heating process of the PCB. If heated in the wrong way components can also be damaged. Today we are not go......

Dec 29, 2025

Stencil Technology

SMT Stencil Design Tips for Improving Solder Paste Deposition

Solder paste deposition through stencil is a method to mass produce the units. Even with advanced placement machines and reflow profiles. Defects like bridging - tombstoning and insufficient solder joints can often be traced back to poor stencil design. Proper stencil design helps in achieving consistent and high-quality solder joints. As component sizes continue to shrink and circuit densities increase, JLCPCB provides high-precision stencils with options like step designs, electropolishing, and nano......

Dec 26, 2025

Stencil Manufacturing

SMD Stencils in Prototyping vs Mass Production

SMD stencils are known for mass production and easy solder paste dispensing. They are widely used in the industry. The stencils are very useful when you are mass-producing a unit. Today, we are not going into physics or manufacturing but talking about the different use case scenarios. However, the stencil requirements for prototyping are quite different from those in mass production. In mass production, we need yield, the better the yield more efficient the production. For these needs, JLCPCB offers c......

Dec 22, 2025

Stencil Technology

When to Choose Electroformed Stencils

A high-quality PCB stencil is necessary for accurate solder paste application. Ordering PCB stencil is simple with JLCPCB, no matter whether you're working on small-scale production or prototypes. The method of electroforming involves depositing atoms one after the other to create metal, stencils, or pieces. This method turns a mandrel or master surface into an extremely exact duplicate. Another notable feature of electroforming is its repeatability. With 0.01-mil increments, electroform stencils can ......

Dec 24, 2025

Stencil Technology

Stencil Cleaning Methods: Manual vs Automatic

For precise and reliable solder paste pattern application on the PCB pads in Surface Mount Technology (SMT) printed circuit board assembly, stencils are utilized. To keep the print quality high and avoid mistakes, it's important to clean the cutouts often. Although automatic stencil cleaners are frequently used in manufacturing, hand cleaning is recommended when assembling prototype PCBs or in smaller quantities. Because it determines the process's yield and return on investment, stencil cleaning is a......

Dec 25, 2025

Stencil Technology

How Nano Coatings Affect Stencil Performance in SMT Printing

The undersides and edges of solder paste stencils are treated with a thin layer of nano coating, which is oleophobic (oil repellent) and hydrophobic (water resistant). This makes the surface non-stick, which lowers the number of cleaning cycles needed for the printing process using solder paste. The less than 5 nanometer coating does not alter the stencil's size or shape upon application; instead, it forms a tiny bond with the stencil foil.JLCPCB offers nano-coated stencils that leverage this technolo......

Dec 20, 2025

Stencil Manufacturing

Design Guidelines for Industry-Standard Solder Stencil

Solder paste printing is one of the most important processes in PCB assembly, and the design of a stencil directly affects the quality of solder paste application. In a previous article, we discussed stencils and their types in detail. JLCPCB’s advanced stencil options, including step-up/step-down and nano-coated stencils, help engineers achieve higher printing accuracy and assembly reliability. In electronics hardware design, following proper design rules is just as crucial as having the right tools.......

Dec 19, 2025

Stencil Technology

A Beginners Guide to Step-Up and Step-Down Stencils

As everyone knows, companies are moving down to 2nm, and electronics are at their peak right now. The component sizes of a PCB likewise drastically shrink during a ten-year period. From 1206, BGAs have shrunk to 0402, 0201, and even smaller. Due to the small size of the components and the requirement for high throughput, defects such as tombstoning, bridging, or poor connections may occur during the soldering process. To address these challenges, specialized stencil technologies such as step-up and st......

Dec 19, 2025

Stencil Manufacturing

The Importance of High Precision in PCB Stencil Manufacturing

PCB stencils play a crucial role in the manufacturing process, especially when dealing with small pitch components. High precision in stencil manufacturing ensures accurate solder paste deposition, which is essential for reliable and high-performance electronic assemblies. In this article, we will highlight the importance of high precision in stencil manufacturing using an example from JLCPCB. We will also demonstrate the exact manufactured dimensions compared to the desired dimensions using measureme......

Jul 11, 2024

Stencil Technology

Nano-Coatings in PCB Manufacturing: How They Outperform Traditional Stencils

Nano coating is a thin hydrophobic (water repellent) and oleophobic (oil repellent) treatment used on the undersides and edges of solder paste stencils. With this the surface becomes non-stick which reduces the number of cleaning cycles required for the solder paste printing process. Upon application, the less than 5 nanometer coating bonds with the stencil foil at the microscopic level, which does not change the size and shape of the stencil. Nano coating is an industry proven process which shows imm......

Aug 15, 2025

Stencil Manufacturing

Unlocking the Secrets of Nano-Coated Stencil Manufacturing

Nano-Coated Stencil Manufacturing Process The manufacturing of nano-coated stencils involves a series of precision engineering steps including design and drafting, laser cutting, polishing, nano-coating deposition, and quality inspection. Below is a detailed description of each process stage: 1. Design and Drafting (1) Data Acquisition: Accurate data is obtained from customer-supplied design files (e.g., Gerber files, PCB layouts) or physical product samples. This includes stencil dimensions, pad layo......

Apr 21, 2025

Stencil Technology

SAM vs Ceramic: Choosing the Right Nano-Coating for Your PCB Stencil

As SMT designs evolve, tighter pitches and smaller components are introduced in electronics. Traditional stencil services can be used for bigger SMD pads but as the innovation goes on nano coated stencils comes to the market. Nano coatings are hydrophobic and oleophobic and repel water, oil and solder paste flux. Some benefits of using these coatings are improved transfer efficiency, reduced need (or frequency) of underside cleaning, and reduced bridging after print. There are two types of Nano-coatin......

Aug 29, 2025

Stencil Technology

Reducing Solder Bridging and Cleaning Costs with Nano-Coated Stencils

The ongoing trend for miniaturization of electronic devices ensures that the surface mount assembly process will continue to provide new challenges. Components and stencil apertures are getting smaller and tighter in pitch. The demands on the solder paste printing process require improvements in technology. Nano-coatings for stencils have been available for many years. The coatings are supplied in two common forms. The most common form is a multiple step liquid coating which is applied by wiping onto ......

Aug 29, 2025

Stencil Technology

The Essential Guide to SMT Stencils in PCB Assembly

Introduction In the dynamic world of electronics manufacturing, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) plays a crucial role in achieving efficiency and precision in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. Central to the SMT process is the SMT stencil, an indispensable tool for the accurate application of solder paste. This ensures solid electrical connections between components and PCBs. This guide delves into the specifics of SMT stencils, examining their types, materials, manufacturing methods, advantages, ch......

Dec 30, 2025