Components on a Card, Using Conductive Ink

Firstly you want to start off with getting your kit. This is available at www.workingink.co.uk. The name of the kit is called Components on a card and there is 2 different types of kits. 1 is specificity for scrap booking and the other is for Christmas/ birthday cards

Which is what I’m going to be doing today.

The kits come with LEDS, switches and batteries. These are all SMD components.

You're going to need conductive ink which is also available on the same website. (some of the best ink on the market at a good price.

Supplies

List of materials

that you're going to need.

1. Components on a card kit.

2. Conductive ink. (FWG)

3. A knife of some sort.

4. Ruler

5. Paint brush (You can also use a stirrer

to apply the paint)

Step 1: Getting to Know the Components.

So now you want to

prepare your kits contents, so you know what your going to be dealing with. (don't worry it's simple)

You just want to get used to what the components look like.

On the battery you will see a positive and a negative,

this is important to remember when you're actually setting up your circuit because your LEDS have to go the same way as the battery.

Such as negative to negative and positive to positive.

(And a little secrete to remember is that if you connect your LEDS in parallel, you will be able to connect upto 4 LEDS. But I haven’t tried more than that. So give it a go!!)

Step 2: Preparing Your Card.

Step 3. Now you want to prepare your card.

I would recommend that you lay your components down so you have a guide to draw your circuit. I would use a graphite pencil so that you have a guide to follow before you start actually painting your circuit. (refer to the video) (this helps with keeping your circuit neat) before you stick your components down.

Step 3: Painting Your Circuit With Conductive Ink.

So now you have your

outline of the circuit that you're going to paint,

its now time to actually start painting with the conductive ink.

I would take it slow, just to make sure that you keep your circuit neat and tidy.

I would also recommend that you wait for the paint to dry then add another coat.

To airdry, it takes around 20-30 minutes but you can blast it with a hair-dryer and a low setting.

This will take around 2-3 minutes. (maybe longer)

The reason I recommend 2 coats is because if the paint is too thinthis could cause the circuit to not work properly. So it is just a precaution too do 2 coats.

Step 4: Start Adding Your Components.

Now you have your circuit completed, its time to start adding your components.

I would take it slow just to make sure that all the components are stuck down properly, and in the correct places.

Just like before you started to paint your circuit, you want to make sure that the components are going to be in the right places.

Once you're certain that everything is in the correct places its time to peel the sticky off the back,

too stick them down properly.

(one thing to mention, if your peeling the sticky off the back of the LED. It could be possible that you might break the joint between the LED and the copper,

How to fix this is very simple, all you want to do is realign the LED into the right place.

Then just add a very small drop of conductive ink to each point either side, This should solve any problems with the joints breaking.)

Step 5: Completing Your Circuit.

Now all your

components are stuck down to where they need to be, It's time to connect the circuit up.

All you have to do is to put conductive ink to both points of the copper on all components, which then connects to the circuit that you have painted beforehand.

Again I would recommend to put 1-2 layers on each point,

But wait in-between coats to dry.

Like I said in the first part of the video. You can make a plate to hide the circuitry and neaten up the card.

Step 6: You're Finished!

There you have it, A completed circuit using only card and ink and card to power an LED. (Awesome)

This would make a great Christmas card for someone,

This would be great for any occasion that would require a card.

Keep an eye out for the workingink channel if this interests you, Because i'm almost finished with the painted 555 circuit. which is going up on the channel.

Leave a comment specifying that you came from instructables for a shout out!