Are green PCBs cheaper?

Introduction to PCB Colors and Pricing

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an essential component in virtually all modern electronic devices. PCBs provide the connections and pathways that allow electricity and signals to flow between components. While PCBs serve a utilitarian purpose, they are available in a variety of different colors.

The most common PCB color is green. However, PCBs can be manufactured in many other colors including red, yellow, blue, black, and white. The color of the PCB is determined by the color of the solder mask, which is the protective layer applied over the copper traces.

So are green PCBs actually cheaper compared to other colors? Let’s take a closer look at the factors that impact PCB color pricing.

Factors That Affect PCB Color Pricing

Several key factors come into play when it comes to the cost of different colored PCBs:

Solder Mask Color

The solder mask is a thin layer of polymer applied over the copper traces on a PCB. Its primary purpose is to prevent solder bridges from forming between traces during assembly. The solder mask gives the PCB its signature color.

Green is by far the most common solder mask color. This is because the green solder mask ink was one of the first developed when PCBs started being mass produced decades ago. Green solder mask ink is inexpensive and widely available.

Other solder mask colors like red, yellow, blue, black, and white are less common. The inks for these colors tend to be more expensive and produced in lower quantities compared to green. This drives up the cost for PCBs with these specialty solder mask colors.

Order Quantity

Like most manufactured goods, PCBs get cheaper in bulk. Due to economies of scale, the more boards you order, the lower the per-unit price will be. And with green being the default color for most PCB orders, manufacturers can offer even better bulk pricing on green boards.

Since colored solder mask inks are produced in lower volumes, it’s more difficult for manufacturers to get bulk pricing on specialty colors, even at higher order quantities. Pricing breaks happen at much higher volumes for non-green boards.

Complexity and Layers

More complex PCB designs with a higher layer count also impact color pricing. Adding more layers means more cycles of applying and curing the solder mask. With specialty color inks being more expensive, those costs can really add up on complex multilayer boards.

Highly complex designs may also require a certain solder mask color for practical reasons like inspection, leading to higher costs. Simpler 1-2 layer boards are easier to produce in different colors cost-effectively.

Supplier and Region

PCB color pricing also varies depending on the specific supplier and their geographic region. PCB manufacturers in China and Southeast Asia, where a huge percentage of global electronics are produced, tend to have the lowest prices on green PCBs.

Manufacturers in North America and Europe usually have higher costs in general, so their pricing on colored boards is higher as well. Basically, regions that do higher overall PCB volumes can offer better pricing on the most common green boards.

Cost Comparison: Green vs Other PCB Colors

To get a sense of the actual cost difference between green and other colored PCBs, let’s look at some price quotes from various suppliers. These prices are for a standard 2-layer board design at a relatively low quantity of 100 units.

Supplier	Region	Green	Red	Yellow	Blue	Black
PCBWay	China	$0.80	$1.20	$1.20	$1.20	$1.20
JLC PCB	China	$1.00	$1.50	$1.50	$1.50	$1.50
OSH Park	USA	$1.20	$2.40	$2.40	$2.40	$2.40
EuroCircuits	Europe	€1.00	€2.00	€2.00	€2.00	€2.00

As you can see, green is consistently the cheapest option across different suppliers and regions. Red, yellow, blue, and black are usually at least 50-100% more expensive than green for the same design.

Keep in mind that these price differences can scale significantly with higher volumes and more complex PCB designs. For very high volume orders, the price gap may shrink, but green is still usually the most economical choice.

When to Use Colored PCBs

Despite the higher costs, there are still scenarios where using a PCB color other than green makes sense:

Branding and Aesthetics

For consumer-facing products where the PCB is visible, using brand colors can provide a unique look. Many PCBs in commercial electronics use black or white solder masks. Colored boards are also popular for artistic PCB designs.

Inspection and Assembly

Certain solder mask colors provide better contrast for inspection and assembly processes. Yellow is a popular choice for this as it makes it easier to see problems. White also offers good visibility.

Prototyping and Low Volume Production

If you’re just making a few prototypes or a small production run, the total cost difference between PCB colors may not be that significant. It could be worth paying slightly more for colors that match your project’s aesthetic goals.

Military and Aerospace

Some military and aerospace applications may require specific PCB colors for practical or regulatory reasons. The cost is less of a factor compared to meeting strict specifications.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use green or colored PCBs depends on your specific needs and budget. But in most cases, green offers the best value, especially at production volumes.

Green PCBs: The Industry Standard

Green has been the default color for PCBs for decades now. It’s become an iconic look that’s instantly associated with electronics. There are a few key reasons why green PCBs have become so ubiquitous:

Cost-Effectiveness

As we’ve seen, green solder mask ink is the most affordable and widely available. Manufacturers can keep costs low by using green for the vast majority of their PCB output. Green boards provide excellent value for cost-conscious electronics projects.

Proven Reliability

Green solder mask formulations have been used successfully for many years. They have a proven track record of durability and do an excellent job protecting the copper traces. Newer colored mask formulations may not have the same extensive reliability data.

Identification and Inspection

The green color provides a good amount of contrast for identifying components and conducting visual inspections. Assemblers are very used to working with green boards. Automated optical inspection (AOI) systems are also commonly optimized for green PCBs.

Availability and Turnaround Time

Since green is by far the most common PCB color, suppliers keep plenty of green solder mask and laminate materials in stock. This helps speed up production times. Boards with specialty colored masks may have longer lead times depending on material availability.

While PCB color choices have increased a lot in recent years, green still dominates the electronics industry. For the majority of designs and products, green delivers the right mix of cost, performance, and speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes green PCBs cheaper than other colors?

Green PCBs are cheaper primarily because green solder mask ink is inexpensive and produced in huge volumes. This allows manufacturers to keep material costs low and pass savings on to customers. Inks for other colors are more expensive and less readily available.

Do different solder mask colors affect PCB performance?

In general, solder mask color does not have a significant impact on the electrical performance of a PCB. However, some specialty solder masks, like high-temperature or UV-curable formulations, may offer improved durability. Color choice is mostly an aesthetic preference.

Can I get a PCB with different colors on each side?

Yes, PCB manufacturers can use different solder mask colors for each side of a board. However, this will usually increase the cost even more compared to a single color board. The top and bottom masks must be applied separately.

Are there any downsides to using green solder mask?

There are no major technical downsides to using industry-standard green solder mask. From a design perspective, some may find the green color clashes with the overall device aesthetics. Green boards can also have an unfinished or prototype-like look in consumer products.

How much would colored PCBs increase my project cost?

It depends on the specific design, quantity, supplier and other factors. But in general, you can expect non-green boards to increase your PCB Costs by 50-100% or more. The price difference is more significant at higher volumes. It’s best to compare quotes to determine the impact on your particular project budget.

Conclusion

In the end, green PCBs dominate the electronics industry because they offer the best overall value. Green boards are cost-effective, widely available, and well-suited for most applications. While other colors have become more accessible for custom designs, they still cost significantly more in most cases.

Whether you choose green or another color for your PCB design will depend on your budget and project requirements. Artistic designs or branded products may benefit from a non-green color palette. But if you need reliable, quick-turn, volume production, green is likely your best bet.

As PCB manufacturing continues to evolve, more color options may become cost-competitive with green. But for now, green reigns supreme as the default choice for most PCB designs. Ultimately, the best PCB color is the one that achieves your project’s technical and aesthetic goals at a price point that fits your budget.