PCB etching question

[blanik]

when you print on PNP (or any other transfer material):

1- does it work only with laser and has anyone ever tried passing the sheet twice in the printer in the hope of getting more toner? (given it's a good printer that doesn't shift too much)

2- do you have to transfer the toner on the copper board right after the print (while the toner is still "fresh") or can you wait a couple of days after the PNP is printed before "ironing" it to the copper board?

R.

[KerryF]

1- It only works with a laser printer.

2- You can wait a few days.  I print out a page full of the layouts and cut out 1 at a time when I etch them.

[Cardboard Tube Samurai]

I have a couple of sheets of PNP printed up with different designs and I just cut them out and use them as I need them, so it doesn't matter how long you leave them. Yes, it only works with toner (laser or photocopy). I guess you would get a better layer of toner if you passed it through twice, but it really isn't worth it in my opinion... you run the risk of losing print alignment and wasting PNP, toner and time!

[blanik]

thank guys! 

i got some etchant and copper boards... i'm getting on the train! lol

[KerryF]

good luck, post pictures.

what I like to do after I iron on the design is to go over all of the traces and circles with sharpie so that the traces are guarenteed to stay good.

[rockgardenlove]

No need to go over it all.  IMO if anything this makes it worse as the pen can scrape off some of the toner.  This will only happen if you have a very bad transfer though anyways.  Just iron it on, and if certain parts don't stick at all, then use the pen.  With proper board prep you should get a great stick every time though.

[$uperpuma]

a well ironed graphic won't need touched up. check and see if your printer has a light/dark option... set it to the darkest.. that will get maximum toner on there...but I've never noticed a difference between the regular and dark settings...

[markm]

a well ironed graphic won't need touched up.

Totally agree!

check and see if your printer has a light/dark option... set it to the darkest.. that will get maximum toner on there...

Don't overdo it, too much toner can squish and make for sloppy traces.
All printer/copiers are different though.