I have had success doing this.
use transfer paper print your art work using laser printer.
don't forget to mirror your image.
then iron on to the pcb.
if its a single sided pcb what I have done is give it a quick spray of clear lacquer paint makes it look pretty.
try not to let paint go over onto the solder side.
I also read 1 article where you would print to a transfer paper with an ink jet in color then transfer to the pub.
hope this helps
victor Faria
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2001 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Print on top of the pcb
In a message dated 06-Dec-01 10:10:12 Central Standard Time, thor918@... writes:
Does anybody know how to print on top of the pcb.
Thor: This is done by "silk-screening". A photographically-made "screen" (once made only of silk, but I think, nowadays, some tougher polyester is used?) is used as a stencil, and PAINT is "squeegied" onto the board. The screen is liquid-tight in areas where you do NOT want the paint, and only the "screen" (open weave of the "silk" cloth) is clear, allowing paint to squeeze through. This is an "art" which is used in more than just PCB work! All kinds of posters, signs, labels, etc., are made by the familiar "silk-screen" method.
HOWEVER! If you just MUST have some labelling on the "top" of a PCB, but wanna make only ONE, and NOT spend all that for the frame, silk-screen stock, developer, squeegie-tool, paint, etc., you can use IMPRESSION lettering and/or patterns. Good art-supply stores will have more than just letters in that stuff! You want white or maybe yellow, but NOT black, etc., as those colors hardly show on a FR-4 board. Once you have "rubbed off" your entire pattern, words, labels, etc., then SPRAY the top with clear enamel or lacquer. AFTER you have etched! And be careful not to get any of that on the "copper side"! It will look as nice as your steady hand can do that! I have done this countless times! Also, for making "professional looking" panels! Dial-numbers, ON/OFF, etc. Just SPRAY it after all the rubbing-off/on is done!
Jan Rowland
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