Part 1 – Solder Mask
That question comes up regularly when preparing quotations for PCB manufacturing — especially when our offer is compared with cheaper options from Asian suppliers, particularly from China
Many customers wonder whether a higher PCB price really translates into quality, since competitors seem to offer the same thing for less. Our role — as a high-quality PCB manufacturer — is not just to deliver the board itself, but to help customers make an informed purchasing decision. One that takes into account not only project budgets, but also the real technological and quality consequences.
Where to Look for savings in PCB Manufacturing?
The most common approaches are to adjust lead time, production volume, or technology.
But even if these parameters stay the same, one question always remains:
Can the price still go lower — and if so, how?
The answer? Yes. But only if you know what it will cost you.
The goal of this article series is to discuss specific technological and material aspects that have a hidden yet significant impact on the functionality and durability of a finished PCB. We’ll start with the solder mask — the protective layer many associate only with color (green, red, black, etc.) or type (LE600, KSM-S6189, SD 2491 SG-TSW).
A Real-World Example – Lighting Industry
Project: Base PCB for an LED light source Customer’s goal: Reduce cost — even though the supplier claimed the current price was already “minimum.” Negotiation result: Cost reduced by USD 3.75 per m², without changing the mask type (LE600) or base materials. Success? Let’s see.
Same project. Same factory. Same laminate (FR4 1.6 mm 35/0 Cu). Same solder mask type (LE600).
The only difference? Solder mask thickness:
- Board A: 25 μm
- Board B: 10 μm
That’s enough to reduce material usage — and thus, the purchase price of the PCB.
However, this “minor” modification comes with major unwanted consequences of such “savings”:
- Rapid drop in reflectivity — maintaining even 60% of the nominal value over time would be an achievement.
- Color degradation — shifting toward yellow.
- Risk of cracking and delamination of the solder mask, which can ultimately scrap the PCB — and, more importantly, the final product.
Testing the Impact – How Mask Thickness Affects Reflectivity To verify the effect of solder mask thickness on reflectivity, we measured the luminous flux emitted by lamps using example boards
Both boards were assembled with the same diode bin, same diffuser (30% attenuation) was used, and test conditions were identical for both cases. The result: over 3% difference in luminous flux during the first hours of operation — and this gap is going to increases with time.
Can You Lower the Price? Always.
The real question is: Can you afford to lose control over quality?
At Central Point, we believe that technological awareness is the foundation of good partnership. That’s why we share our experience openly — showing how purchasing decisions directly affect the final product
Who Is This Article For?
- Electronics engineers and designers,
- Quality managers,
- Quality managers,
- Anyone influencing production decisions
This article was created in cooperation with RGB Pro (https://rgbpro.pl, module assembly) and the Lighting Research & Development Center (https://cbiro.pl measurements).
Stay tuned for the next parts of the series — we’ll continue to share practical examples that help you make informed, quality-driven decisions in PCB production.