1️⃣ Why PCB Pricing Can Be Confusing Many engineers and buyers focus on unit price first — but hidden costs from rework, delays, or poor quality can double your real spend. Understanding what drives the quote helps you get real value.
2️⃣ The Main Cost Drivers (With Real Numbers)
- Material & Finish: Standard FR4 + HASL is baseline. Switching to ENIG adds ~30-50% per board. Thicker copper (2oz vs 1oz) +15-20%.
- Layers: Double-sided is cheapest. 4-layer ~2x price, 8-layer ~4x.
- Size & Quantity: Prototype (10 pcs) unit price high. 1,000 pcs can drop 40-60%. Larger boards = higher material waste.
- Special Tech: HDI, blind vias, flex — easily +50-100%.
- Testing: Flying probe cheap for prototypes; full E-test for volume adds 5-10%.
3️⃣ Smart Ways to Save Without Cutting Corners
- Design for manufacturability early (we offer free DFM review).
- Stick to standard specs unless necessary (e.g., TG155 FR4 is enough for most projects).
- Panelize properly (3×8 or 4×6 often optimal).
- Order in sensible batches — even 500 pcs can unlock big discounts.
- Talk to your manufacturer before finalizing the design.
4️⃣ Our Approach We’ve been making PCBs in China for over 20 years and work with everyone from startups doing 100-piece prototypes to brands running 100k+ units. We focus on transparent pricing and helping you hit the sweet spot between cost and reliability — no upsell, just what your project actually needs.
5️⃣ Next Step Want to see how much your next PCB run should really cost? Send us your Gerber files — we’ll give you a detailed quote + free DFM feedback within 24 hours.