PNP blue- locations?

[jimbob]

Other than smallbear does anyone know of any online sources? Im all out but too impatient to order from the only place I know which is Smallbear. Are there other options that work as well that may be found locally?

[Mark Hammer]

If you're in a pinch, just use glossy photo paper.  As long as the pattern/layout does not involve SMD components, or traces running between IC pins, or more than 3 traces running between rows of IC pins, photo paper works surprisingly well.

Make sure it is as glossy as you can get, and not double-sided (i.e., only glossy on one side).

[jimbob]

Thanks. Sounds interesting. I assume the non glossy side get printed on?

[MikeH]

Pedal Parts Plus has it too.

[Cliff Schecht]

If you're in a pinch, just use glossy photo paper.  As long as the pattern/layout does not involve SMD components, or traces running between IC pins, or more than 3 traces running between rows of IC pins, photo paper works surprisingly well.

Make sure it is as glossy as you can get, and not double-sided (i.e., only glossy on one side).

I've had some really good luck with photo-paper myself. I don't remember the exact type, but it was some sort of Epson glossy paper. I've actually done some fairly fine traces with this method, although I don't think down to the pitch you are referring to. I'd say something like 10 mil minimum for the Epson paper and you're fine.

[orangetones]

I am still a big fan of the magazine paper!  It works like a charm, and it's dead cheap!  Free almost!

[Mark Hammer]

Thanks. Sounds interesting. I assume the non glossy side get printed on?

NOOOOOOOO!!

The laser toner goes on the glossy side.  The glossy side is an emulsion coating the paper.  The toner sticks to it.  Happily, the toner sticks to nice shiny clean copper, when warmed up, better than the emulsion sticks to the paper backing it is sitting on.

PnP works the exact same way, except that:
a) it has a plastic acetate backing instead of paper,
b) the emulsion is a much finer-grained thinner layer of blue stuff instead of glossy coating.

In both cases you simply having something you can print a toner pattern on which will detach from the underlying surface easily enough that you can iron it onto a board, yet no so easily that it crumbles before you've had a chance to do what you need to.

The glossier the paper, the finer the grain of the emulsion and the greater the precision attainable.  Cheaper not-so-glossy paper will get you an etch but with slightly "ragged" edges along the traces.  It's analogous to the old days of dot-matrix printers when you could buy regular fanfold paper or "clean edge" paper.  The higher the gloss, the cleaner the edge.

Just remember, it does not need to be inkjet or laser paper - either is fine.  You just need to USE a laser printer when printing the pattern on.  

Some members here have had good luck using glossy pages from magazines.  Those pages are glossy because they too have a thin layer of emulsion adhered to the paper.  I'm skittish about using it for the same reasons I advised against double-sided glossy paper: you don't want the emulsion to come off on the iron when heated.

[david_kuzma]

You might want to try All Electronics (http://www.allelectronics.com); they've got Press-n-Peel in 5-sheet packs (under "Techniks 'Press & Peel' PC Board Kit").

[orangetones]

Some members here have had good luck using glossy pages from magazines.  Those pages are glossy because they too have a thin layer of emulsion adhered to the paper.  I'm skittish about using it for the same reasons I advised against double-sided glossy paper: you don't want the emulsion to come off on the iron when heated.

I just put a piece of clean white paper between the iron and the magazine paper I am transferring from.  Works well for me.  Trick is to have your transfer taped down so that you do not accidentally slide the paper and smear the toner.

[Ripthorn]

I second magazine paper.  I have gotten just as good of transfers with that as with PNP.  It does take a little practice to get the feel for it, but I like it.  And my wife got a free issue of something that now serves as a supply for the next couple dozen projects.

[Solidhex]

Yo

  regular Office Max glossy photo paper works way better for me than the blue stuff...

--Brad