Finding a cheap PCB manufacturer is easy. Finding one that delivers reliable boards at low cost is harder. Price alone does not tell you everything about a supplier.
What actually drives PCB cost
- Layer count
- Board size
- Quantity
- Surface finish type
- Material choice
- Turnaround speed
How to reduce cost without hurting quality
- Use standard FR-4 when possible
- Stick with 1oz copper unless current demands more
- Choose HASL instead of ENIG if your components allow it
- Order larger batches when design is stable
- Avoid overly tight tolerances you do not need
The most expensive PCB decision is ordering from a supplier who delivers defective boards and forces a rerun. A slightly higher unit price from a reliable factory is almost always cheaper in the long run.
Related Articles
Need a PCB quote or engineering review?
Email jsdg@mayio.cloud or send your files through the quote page.