Hi All, I'm getting started etching my own boards using laser toner transfer onto inkjet photo paper as described around the web. I prepared and printed my artwork on Staples "photo basic gloss" paper. (Staples Item #471861, UPC 7-18103-02856-1) with an HP Laserjet III. I'm using Ratshack double-sided copper-clad PCB, which I cut to size using the bandsaw in my shop. I cleaned the board with both a brillo-style sponge-pad and steel wool with soap, then rinsed it with rubbing alcohol. I cut the board artwork to size, taped it down at the edges, and set it on a 2x6, placed a piece of "regular" printer paper on top, then bore down with the iron for about 6 minutes, repositioning every 2 minutes to make sure none of the steam-holes interfered. I soaked the board under running hot water for about 10 minutes. It puffed up a bit but remained stuck where the toner had been, which I took as a good sign. I tried soaking it in a bowl of hot water for ~20 minutes while I took a walk around the neighborhood, and returned, to find it still stuck firmly in place. I then tried to seperate the layers of the paper with my fingernails, and successfully got some of the thickness of the paper free. I then started rubbing at what was left with a fingernail, and got most of it free, leaving most of the artwork. A few traces pulled up, however. I cleaned the board and tried again with another -- same problem. Can anyone suggest where I might have gone wrong? I'm guessing paper-choice might be an issue. The traces were all 0.016" width, and I'm pretty sure I ironed it enough to get the toner more or less melted onto the copper. Any assistance, thoughts, etc, would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Ryan Spicer.
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Laser Toner Transfer Newbie Seeks Assistance
2005-06-07 by alterscape2002
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