PCB Fabrication
Single-Side PCBs: simple circuits, serious economics.
One copper layer, one purpose: the most cost-effective way to put a proven, simple circuit into production at volume.
What is a single-side PCB?
A single-side (or single-layer) PCB carries all of its copper traces on one face of the board, with components mounted on the other. It is the oldest and simplest board construction — and for the right circuit, still the smartest one.
With no plated through-holes or lamination cycles, single-side boards have the fewest process steps of any PCB type. Fewer steps mean lower cost, higher yield, and faster turnaround — which is why high-volume, cost-sensitive products still rely on them today.
How it's made
01
Material preparation
Copper-clad laminate (FR-4, CEM-1, or aluminium-core for thermal designs) is cut to panel size.
02
Imaging & etching
Your trace pattern is transferred photographically and the unwanted copper is chemically etched away, leaving only your circuit.
03
Drilling & punching
Component holes are drilled or punched — no plating step, since there are no layer-to-layer connections.
04
Solder mask & legend
Solder mask protects the copper and silkscreen legend is printed for assembly reference.
05
Finish, profile & test
Surface finish is applied, boards are routed or V-scored out of the panel, and every board is electrically tested.
Where it's used
When to choose it
- Your circuit routes comfortably on one copper layer
- Unit cost matters more than board size
- You're producing at volume and yield economics dominate
- Thermal designs where an aluminium core (MCPCB) carries LED heat away
Worth considering: If routing forces you into many jumper wires, or component density is climbing, a double-side board usually costs less overall than a congested single-side design — compare both in the instant quote tool.
| Layer count | 1 |
|---|---|
| Base materials | FR-4, CEM-1, Aluminium (MCPCB) |
| Board thickness | 0.8 – 2.4 mm |
| Copper weight | 0.5 oz – 3 oz |
| Min track / spacing | 0.15 mm / 0.15 mm |
| Surface finish | HASL, Lead-free HASL, OSP, ENIG |
| Solder mask | Green, blue, red, black, white |
| Typical prototype lead time | 5 – 8 working days |
Frequently asked questions
When is a single-sided PCB the right choice?
When the circuit routes comfortably on one copper layer and cost matters — LED drivers, power supplies, appliance controls, and similar designs. It has the fewest manufacturing steps of any board type, so it is the cheapest to produce at volume.
Can single-sided PCBs handle LED and power applications that run hot?
Yes — that's exactly what aluminium-core (MCPCB) single-sided boards are for. The metal core conducts heat away from LEDs and power components far better than standard FR-4, extending component life.
What is the minimum order quantity for single-sided boards?
There is no rigid minimum — we quote from prototype quantities upward. Single-sided boards shine economically at higher volumes, where per-board pricing drops steeply; the quantity breaks are shown live in the online calculator.
Single-sided vs double-sided PCB — what's the cost difference?
A single-sided board is typically the cheaper option for the same size because it skips through-hole plating. But if a single-sided layout needs many jumper wires or a larger board to route, a compact double-sided design can win — price both configurations in seconds with the online quote tool.
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