What Determines Printed Circuit Board Cost?

The cost of a Printed Circuit Board(PCB) is not fixed, and there are several factors that decide it. Knowing these factors can help you find low-cost printed circuit boards without compromising the quality. We will introduce the key elements that influence PCB expense below:

Material Costs

When the PCB designer is selecting materials for the PCB, it is very essential to consider how the material will impact the overall cost. Let us find the key factors for this:
Substrate Materials: There are different types of substrate material you can choose, like Fr4, Aluminum, Ceramic, copper, etc. Each one the price will be different, so the substrate material can significantly affect the costs, especially for mass production.

• Substrate Material Brand: The supplier of the substrate material also influences the cost. For example, FR4 from different suppliers like ShengYi, Kingboard, and Guoji may vary in price.
• Board Thickness: The thickness of the board normally ranges from 0.2mm to 3.0mm, and the thicker board will cost more.
• Copper Thickness: Copper thickness can range from 0.5oz to 3oz. Due to the higher material usage and processing requirements, the thicker copper layers usually increase the cost
• Soldermask: The type of soldermask used also impacts the cost. Standard thermosetting ink is more cost-effective compared to photosensitive green solder masks, which are typically more expensive.

You should be careful when evaluating these PCB material factors, and you can make informed decisions to balance performance and cost for your PCB design.

Process Complexity

SFX PCB delivers innovative, budget-friendly PCB solutions without compromising on quality.

The manufacturing process involves cutting, drilling, copper deposition, circuit patterning, soldermasking, and more. Complex processes increase PCB expense:

• Copper Foil Thickness: Options like 18um (1/2OZ) to 140um (4OZ) affect costs.
• Drilling Complexity: Smaller holes (<0.2mm) or fine traces (<4mil) increase production costs.
• Special Processes: Blind/buried vias, via-in-pad, or carbon ink printing add extra charges.

Number of Layers and Board Thickness

• Multilayer PCBs: More layers (e.g., 4-layer, 6-layer) increase circuit board cost.
• Board Thickness: Thicker boards require more materials and complex processes, raising prices.

PCB outline and size

Larger or irregularly shaped PCBs use more raw materials and may increase production difficulty, which will impact PCB expense.

Order Quantity and Lead time

At SFX PCB, we combine affordability with precision engineering to meet your PCB requirements.

• Mass Production: Reduces unit costs
• Small Batches or Custom Orders: Increases printed circuit board cost due to setup and tooling expenses.
• Lead Time: Faster turnaround may increase costs.

Design Complexity

High-density routing, fine pitch, or advanced designs raise manufacturing costs.

Surface Finish Technology

Different finishes have varying costs:

• Low-Cost Options: OSP, Leaded HASL.
• Higher-Cost Options: Lead-Free HASL, Immersion Gold, Hard Gold Plating.

Quality Standards

SFX PCB provides reliable and competitively priced circuit boards, ensuring top-notch performance.

Normally the PCB standard will be IPC Class 2,and higher standards like IPC Class 3 or military specifications increase PCB expense.

Special Requirements

Impedance control, blind/buried vias, or other custom features add to the cost.

General Price Range for PCBs

Here’s a breakdown of printed circuit board cost for common types:

1. Single-Layer PCBs:
   • Used in simple devices.
   • Prices range from tens USD per square meter.
2. Double-Layer and Multilayer PCBs:
   • Double-layer: 1.5 to 2 times the cost of single-layer.
   • Multilayer (4-layer, 6-layer): Significantly higher.
3. Special Materials and Processes:
   • Metal-core PCBs, high-frequency materials, or advanced processes cost more.

Tooling and Testing Costs

• Tooling: Mold costs for Mass production (USD100-USD300).
• Testing: Flying probe testing (USD5-USD80) or test fixtures (USD100-USD300).

How to Get Accurate PCB Quotes

1. Clarify Requirements: Specify materials, layers, sizes, and processes.
2. Compare Suppliers: Request quotes from multiple vendors for low-cost printed circuit boards.
3. Provide Detailed Information: Share design files, technical specs, and quantities.
4. Understand Market Trends: Monitor raw material prices and exchange rates.
5. Build Long-Term Partnerships: Establish relationships for better pricing and services.

Conclusion

It is essential to control the printed circuit board cost by understanding the factors affecting the price. You can find low-cost circuit boards without sacrificing quality by comparing suppliers, clarifying requirements, and optimizing design. No matter whether you need single-layer or multilayer PCBs, strong supplier relationships will always help you manage PCBs cost-effectively. Contact FX PCB today to get the price.