Laser Toner Transfer Newbie Seeks Assistance
2005-06-07 by alterscape2002
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.
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.