How I make PCBs for my Prototypes

In this article I want to explain how I make PCBs for my projects.

As you can see on my articles and YouTube channel, if I build something, I always want to have the best result. Before I started to order my PCBs at a PCB Manufacturer, I etched my PCBs myself and I used many different PCB making techniques. From the toner transfer to photo positive layer technique.

At some point I was intrigued to try to order PCBs for my prototypes from a PCB Manufacturer and hoping that they look better. After researching in internet, I stumbled upon a company named JLCPCB. Here is the link: https://jlcpcb.com/DDE. We can order up to 4-layer PCBs for as low as $2 and they also offer free-SMT-assembly for us.

So I ordered small quantity PCBs and after around 2 weeks the arrived. I was surprised to see the quality of the product. They are awesome!

To draw the PCBs I use PCB designer software KiCAD. KiCAD is an open-source circuit and PCB designing software. You can export your project on KiCAD and upload the files to JLCPCB website to order your PCB. Here is the link to the KiCAD website: https://www.kicad.org/

Here are some of my PCBs from JLCPCB:

They look professional don’t they?