We are pleased to announce the release of the Flexible Heater Routing Tool!

We are pleased to announce the release of the Flexible Heater Routing Tool!

We are pleased to announce the release of the Flexible Heater Routing Tool!

If you are a heavy prototyper or working on a multi-board project, you might be leaving money on the table. Most people think one stencil equals one PCB design—but if your boards are not too big, why pay for three stencils when you only need one?

At JLCPCB, we want to help you optimize your workflow and keep your costs down. One of our most useful features is the ability to combine multiple different PCBs onto a single stencil frame.

How to set it up:

1. Find the Option: On the stencil order page, look for the "Multiple PCBs on one stencil" option.
2. Select "Yes": This alerts our engineers that you are panelizing different designs together.
3. The "Secret Sauce": Don't forget to add a stencil remark. Describe your panelization or specific placement requirements so our team can ensure the apertures align perfectly with your various boards.

🚀 Ready to Optimize Your Next Build?

At JLCPCB, we support your custom designs with flexible manufacturing options that make your assembly faster, cheaper, and more precise.

We've all been there: you spend weeks perfecting a PCB layout, only to have the entire project sidelined by a bridge or a dry joint during reflow. Most of the time, the problem isn't your oven or your paste - it's the stencil.

If you're tired of "good enough" results and want professional-grade assembly without the professional-grade price tag, here is how JLCPCB Stencils are designed to help you succeed:

Precision That Actually Matters

We don't just "cut holes". We use over 30 high-precision laser cutting machines to ensure every aperture is burr-free and razor-sharp.

• The Material: We use premium 304 HTA stainless steel.
• The Accuracy: We maintain tolerances as tight as ±0.003mm. This level of precision is the difference between a clean solder "brick" and a messy smear that leads to shorts.
• Pro Upgrades: Need even better release? Our electropolishing and nano-coating options significantly improve paste transfer efficiency and reduce bridging on fine-pitch components.

Speed That Keeps Up with Your Ideas

In the world of prototyping, time is your most valuable resource.

• 12-Hour Production: Our fully automated lines can have your stencil ready in as little as 12 hours.
• 24-Hour Shipping: Most orders are out the door within a day of confirmation.
• Unbeatable Value: Professional precision starts at just $3 (100 × 100mm). You get tier-1 manufacturing quality on a maker's budget.

Your Design, Fully Supported

Every project is unique, so we don't limit your options. Whether you need a framed stencil for a production line or a frameless one for your bench, we've got you covered.

• Advanced Options: From custom outlines and thicknesses to step stencils and ultrasonic-resistant adhesives, we support the complex modifications you need to turn your vision into a physical reality.

🚀 Upgrade Your Next Build for Less

At JLCPCB, were committed to helping you build faster and better. Don't let a low-quality stencil be the bottleneck of your next great invention.

Whether you are starting a fresh project or realizing you forgot a stencil for an old board, we’ve made the ordering process incredibly flexible.

Depending on where you are in your design journey, here are the 3 easy ways to get your high-precision stencils:

Option 1: The "All-in-One" (PCB + Stencil Together)

This is the most popular choice for new projects. After you’ve configured your PCB parameters on our order page, simply scroll to the bottom and check the "Stencil" option. This ensures your stencil and PCBs are produced and shipped together, keeping your project perfectly synchronized.

Option 2: The "Stencil-Only" Sprint

Already have your boards but need a new stencil? No problem. Head to our website, click "Instant Quote," and select "SMT Stencil" from the top menu. You can upload your Gerber files and customize your stencil (Electropolished, Nano-coated, Frameless, etc.) in seconds.

Option 3: The "Oops, I Forgot!" (From Order History)

We've all been there—you ordered bare PCBs, and then realized hand-soldering those 0402s was a bad idea. Just go to your PCB Order History, find your previous order, click "Show all," and select "Need Stencil." We’ll generate a matching stencil for that exact board layout instantly.

🚀 Bring Your Designs to Life Faster & Better

At JLCPCB, we support your custom designs with the precision and convenience you need to succeed.

Precision assembly shouldn't break the bank. Whether you are finishing a complex high-density project or just starting a new prototype, we want to help you get professional-grade results for less!

For a limited time, we are giving away $11 Stencil Coupons to the community. This is your chance to experience the speed, precision, and convenience of JLCPCB stencils at an unbeatable price.

Click the link to grab your coupon and start your most efficient build yet.

A high-precision PCB stencil is an investment in a frustration-free assembly. But even the best electropolished stencil will fail if it's warped or clogged with dried-up paste. If you want to extend your stencil's lifespan and guarantee consistent, professional-grade printing every time you hit the bench, maintenance is non-negotiable.

Here are the industry-standard practices to keep your stencils in "day-one" condition:

Never Let Paste Sit 🧼

Don't allow solder paste to accumulate. Clean your stencils immediately after each use. Dried paste in the apertures—especially for fine-pitch components—is incredibly difficult to remove and is the #1 cause of "clogged" apertures during your next build.

Use the Right Solvents 🧪

Always use specified cleaning solvents (like IPA or dedicated stencil cleaners). Avoid harsh, non-approved chemicals that can degrade the surface tension of the metal or damage specialized nano-coatings. Using the correct cleaning solution protects the aperture integrity.

Store it Flat or Suffer the Warp 📏

Metal has a memory. Always lay your stencils flat when not in use. Storing them upright or leaning them against a wall can lead to subtle warping. A warped stencil won't sit flush against your PCB, leading to "smearing" and messy solder bridges.

🚀 Pro-Level Stencils for Your Next Project

At JLCPCB, we support your custom designs with high-precision manufacturing. Whether you need a standard laser-cut stencil or a premium nano-coated finish, we bring your designs to life so your assembly is faster and better.

We've all been there: your PCB design is perfect, your components are ready, but after reflow, you're met with a nightmare of solder bridges and dry joints. Often, the culprit isn't your placement—it's a stencil that failed to meet the precision your design demanded. When you're dealing with fine-pitch components, a few microns are the difference between a working prototype and a pile of scrap.

Here is a technical breakdown of why precision is the heartbeat of stencil manufacturing:

The Need for High Precision

High precision in stencil manufacturing is vital for several reasons:

1. Accurate Solder Paste Deposition: Precise apertures ensure the correct amount of solder paste is deposited, which is crucial for forming reliable solder joints.
2. Minimized Solder Bridging: Accurate apertures reduce the risk of solder bridging between pads, which can cause short circuits.
3. Consistent Quality: High precision stencils contribute to consistent quality across multiple boards, reducing defects and rework.

Example: JLCPCB Stencil with Small Pitch Components

To illustrate the importance of high precision in stencil manufacturing, we ordered a PCB stencil from JLCPCB designed for a board with small pitch components. We will compare the desired dimensions of the stencil apertures with the actual manufactured dimensions using a digital microscope camera.

Measuring Precision with a Digital Microscope Camera

Using a digital microscope camera, we can capture high-resolution images of the stencil apertures and measure their dimensions. This allows us to verify the precision of the stencil manufacturing process.

Desired Dimensions vs. Actual Dimensions

For our example, we used a part MHPA0606RGBDT, which is a small LED with a pad size of 0.3mm x 0.3mm. Using a digital microscope camera, we will compare the desired dimensions of the stencil apertures with the actual manufactured dimensions.

Desired Dimensions:

· Pad Size: 0.3mm x 0.3mm

We will measure the actual dimensions of the stencil apertures for the MHPA0606RGBDT LED to ensure they match the desired specifications.

Results and Analysis

After capturing the images and measuring the apertures with the digital microscope camera, we found the following actual dimensions:

Actual Dimensions:

· Pad Size: 0.3098mm x 0.2980mm

These results show that the actual dimensions are very close to the desired dimensions, with only minor deviations. The deviations are within acceptable tolerances, demonstrating high precision in the stencil manufacturing process. This level of precision ensures accurate solder paste deposition, which is critical for the reliable performance of the assembled PCB.

🚀 Bring Your High-Density Designs to Life

At JLCPCB, we invest in the latest laser-cutting technology and inspection systems to ensure your custom designs are executed with microscopic accuracy. Whether you're working on 0201s or ultra-fine pitch ICs, we provide the precision you need to make your assembly faster and better.