introCheap and Easy Toner Transfer for PCB Making
There are lots of people mentioned about using Inkjet Glossy Paper to do
Toner Transfer. It can be done. But it is not easy to remove it after
ironing. You have soak the PCB in hot water for more than ten minutes.
It is quite time consuming. If you cannot remove the coating completely.
It cannot be etched.
I have tried to use Konica Minolta Photo Quailty Matte Paper. Then
design your own circuit and print it on the Matte Paper. Remember,
before printing it. You need to mirror board. Otherwise, the circuit
will be inversed.
step 1Start to Iron It.
Face the Toner Side of Matte Paper towards to the Copper Side. Turn On
your Iron. Unlike the Glossy Paper, you have to turn to maximum
temperature. You don't need it this time. I turn the iron to medium
temperature (becoz the paper is not very thick.. Heat is easy to
Transfer to Copper and Toner). Firstly, Iron the side of PCB. After 30
seconds, you will find the Matte Paper will stick to Copper firmly. It
means it is successful. Then Iron the whole PCB. Depends on the Size of
PCB, I use around 2minutes for this Copper Board (Around 3cm x 4cm).
If some area cannot stick, it means your copper board is not clean
enough. Remove the Paper and Use Acetone and Sand Paper to Clean it.
I had ZERO success with ANY toner transfer methods until I tried these two things together:
1) After scrubbing the copper board, drop it into the etching solution for a few seconds. Remove and rinse. Be careful not to touch the copper after it is dipped/rinsed. It roughens up the surface and makes the toner stick much better. It also removes any deep-down dirt that the scrubbing missed.
2) When repairing traces with a "sharpie", roast the board on your iron for about 20-30 sec. to make sure the "sharpie" ink is completely dry, then etch.
I use a beat-up HP Laserjet 6L, press-n-peel blue with my iron on about 3/4 full heat and moderate pressure, and get great results. Your millage will vary. Experiment a bit. It is probably different with photo paper, but try the above tricks. Good luck!
I have used 'recycled' CD-label backing paper with success. Just remove all the remaining adhesive-backed labels and everything else from the waxy paper it was stuck to. Then use the waxy side for the transfer. The wax isn't enough to interfere with the circuit traces. Didn't seem to harm my old LJ2100 either.
http://www.mgchemicals.com/index.html
this is the actual company that i ordered from
http://www.alliedelec.com/Default.asp