PCB Artwork Transfer Paper

[jaycee]

I use Kodak "Ultima" printer paper, which is based on real gloss photographic paper. I only ever have a problem on large areas eg ground planes, and thats probably simply that the iron i use doesnt get hot enough (it was a crap one bought from a car boot sale!)

I'm using a Brother HL-1040 laser printer to do it. I started off after reading Tom Gootee's article on it The thing is, the Ultima paper works so well, that you dont need to soak it - instead you pull it off fairly carefully and the toner stays put.

[MJL21193]

Staples basic photo paper as recommended by Tom. Cheap - $30.00 for 100 sheets.
Printer is an HP 3050 laserjet.

I tried better photo paper like jaycee, and it came off much cleaner but I had to us a sheet of plain paper between it and the iron as it would stick to the back. Also took a lot more pressure because the paper is so thick.
I tried glossy magazine paper and this works but not good for fine detail. Also hard to see your print.

[jaycee]

Yep, I also have to use a sheet of paper so the iron doesnt stick, and the paper isnt too cheap (still cheaper than press-n-peel! though!). It works well though so i'm reluctant to change.

I couldn't find the Staples paper here in the UK - they're not quite as big a company here.

I have debated getting some kind of cheap health grill affair and modifying it so that it has 2 flat hot plates, and will clamp the board in the middle - sort of like a laminator on steroids!

[Steerpike]

Press-n-Peel is my favourite - it works very well, but is SO expensive here.
I get good results with magazine covers - the very shiney / glossy covers (e.g., the Oprah magazine - 'borrow' it from your wife!, or the catalogues from tour companies), but large copper fill areas don't fill well; it's great for thin tracks, less than 20mil.
But large areas are easy to touch up anyway.

I soak it in sodium hydroxide solution to get the paper off before etching in ferric chloride.

You should switch the printer's seting to things like 'economy mode = off' and 'print density = max'.

[AndrewT]

Originally posted by jaycee


I couldn't find the Staples paper here in the UK - they're not quite as big a company here.

http://www.multimap.com/clients/brow...ch&scale=50000

[jaycee]

Originally posted by AndrewT

http://www.multimap.com/clients/brow...ch&scale=50000

I live near Norwich City centre, so that is miles away
I did get my first pack of Kodak Ultima paper cheap because the idiots in Partners Stationers mis-labelled it though