Homebrew PCBs

The best instructions for the foil method:
http://www.techniks.com/how_to.htm

The second place is:
http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/jun99/jayc.html

The only difference is the FOIL type. Instead of using the "PnP PCB 
Blue" foil sheets, you use ANY foil that is meant for hot or cold 
transfer.

The foils for "cold" transfer are similar, but the release agent is 
not necessarily needed to be heated. It will still work.

Why it works: the toner is actually same as "hot-glue", but in powder 
form. If the "hot-glue" is placed on a non-stick surface first (like 
on a label backing material), then it can be transfered to another 
surface that has better adhesion proprties (like paper or copper) by 
heating and pressing it to the new surface.

The "foil" is a multi layer coated material. Best place to check out 
is the Crown Foil website (as indicated in my previous post). They 
specialize in making ALL kinds of foils for heat transfer.

The backing material for these foils is usually a very thin Milar 
sheet. A release material (ie. wax) is then deposited on one surface. 
Then a colour or a metal is deposited on top of the release material. 
This is an extremely thin layer which may be as thin as one molecule. 
A backing is sprayed on top of the colour.

Milar
wax
colour
backing(gray)

That is all that is needed for our purposes.
We print the laser image (toner) on to the "backing" side. 
We then take the printed sheet and place it down on the copper.
Laser printed image touching the copper.
Apply hot iron to the Milar side.
Lift Milar sheet.

What is left on the copper:
toner PCB pattern(black)
backing (gray)
colour (whichever colour you chose)
bit of wax

That makes up for a good etch resist.
The metallic colour part (if used in the foil)will etch a bit, BUT! 
the gray backing makes an excellent toner sealer.

I will try to make some photos of the process, but make NO promises...

The other thing that can be done is printing front panels and other 
objects in colour and metallic as well. The transfer can be done onto 
any surface, metal or plastic as well as paper.


John Myszkowski...
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