DIY toner transfer pcb | 5 methods tested

In this video I test the top 5 methods I found for the toner transfer technique when creating your own ciruit boards.

Diy pcb

Here are the links to the original creators

The toner transfer technique.
Too many to list

Vinyl backing

Acetone cocktail

Spray paint

[gppl]

The point in heat transfer and acetone transfer is to completely soak paper in the water, so it nearly turns into pulp. Hot water works the best. Then you just gently rub it off. This way there's no pulling and thus no traces, even the tiniest, have a chance to come off (granted you've properly prepped the board).

[murraymadness]

This video was just hilarious! I tried most of them also, and none really worked well but eventually I found that the backing of UPS labels worked the best but still unreliable.
I tried the uv photoresist recently but it seems my photoresist had some flaws which made traces have flaws too. I always end up patching them with a fine felt tip pen.
I am now working on a cnc method to either scrap off paint/resist or draw the traces, or use uv laser to activate the photoresist instead of a transparency print which also can have flaws.
btw, I send my boards to china to be made, and finally got them after I changed the design 3 times using my self made boards and now sent the good design to china to wait 3 or 4 weeks to get them because china has lots of holidays when nobody works.
I've also been working on modifying a laser printer to print directly to the pcb board. The original hack 10 years ago used a lexmark printer which I found for $5, but I'm now trying to get a Brother printer I got for free to do it, the paper feed was not working right, so it was free and I don't need a paper feed...

[chrome]

What temp and time did you use for the transparency film? My local paper home office store prints really good resolution onto their transparencies but am having s difficult time nailing down the time temp for them.

[andydelle]

I have been making home PCB's for about 40 years using the positive photo resist method. But now days you can't get the resist coated boards or the chemicals anymore. MG Chemicals made the best stuff but they no longer sell it. I also have a large 8 x 12 solder pot where I dip the boards coated with liquid flux just like industry did in the 1960s before solder mask became the norm.. I find that DIY tin plating solution breaks down after a few years. I too tried many of the YouTube toner transfer techniques including professional transfer paper with the same poor results you got. One YouTuber, Mr. Carlson's Lab, makes really good SMD PCB's with toner and a low cost modified laminating machine. I guess it's practice, practice, practice, until you come up with a good process. I hear you can get the photo resist products from Europe? PCBway is great and I use them a lot. But often I just need a simple single sided board.

[SlowfingerJC]

For the Toner Transfer technique, 5:10 what film did you use and what printer? Thanks in advance.

[bgorveatt]

Using an iron requires more than a few minutes. Having a paper towel over the paper, press and move the iron around and keep going until you see the toner appear through the paper. Once that's done, rinse in warm water, let sit until the paper is totally saturated, until it bubbles or looks like it is lifting. It should just rub off as a pulp. DO NOT USE Brother laser printers! Their toner does not stick during the heat process. I've used this method successfully many times.

[วิทรูเตชกุลพงศ์กร]

Would you mind making an in-depth guide of the Transparency film method? That would be great thanks.

[nadienone]

Hi, can you tell me more about the final test? you mentioned transfer for 3d printing... what material do you use there, whats these transfer film??

[johnalbu]

Just look at all the comments below!
It’s not worth all the expense and time. In addition I tried UV film and presensitized UV PCB’s. The amount of time you will spend on timing the exposure and time in solutions it incredible. At least a month!

HERE IS THE ANSWER:
Spend a few days with free software provide by PCB manufacturers and let them send them to you. Money and time saved. I know you want it quick!
I still pay an extra $20 to have them shipped by DHL Express an get them in a week or less.

[eross]

what is the toner transfer 3d printing technique your briefly mention in the video?