Instructions for Stencil order

1. Solder paste layer is highly recommended to include in the Gerber file.

A paste layer will be much helpful in making the production file. And once your file includes a solder paste layer, your stencil will be made based on it. So please ensure that it contains all required elements.

Note:

For items which are on the solder mask layer but not on solder paste layer, an engineering question will be raised to confirm with you. If you don't want this engineer question, you may leave an ordering remark“Please follow the solder paste layer only, and ignore the difference between the solder mask layer and solder paste layer.”

2. Apertures processing standard

As default, apertures such as IC, BGA, and capacitor/resistor of footprint 0805 and above, will be processed as default standard. If you don't need it processed as the standard, or want apertures to be exactly the same as your paste layer, please leave a remark.

Please refer to this link for our standard details of aperture processing. https://jlcpcb.com/help/article/opening-process-standard-of-stencil.

3. Stencil Thickness

There is an option of stencil thickness for you to choose from on the ordering page. You can either select a thickness by yourself, or you can just let JLCPCB engineer to select the appropriate thickness for you based on your Gerber file features.

We offer standard thickness options for free of 0.1, 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, and 0.2 mm. And special thicknesses of 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.08, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mm are available at an additional cost.

4. Valid area

The valid area of the stencil is the part where laser cutting can be processed, for both the stencil apertures and custom size.

Basically, the valid area for frame stencil is the area within the adhesive tape on back side. While for non-frame stencil, it is the area excluding that taken by the clamping device when machining, which is about 8mm on one direction. For details, please referring to the ordering option of Dimensions.

5. Customized size

If you request a custom size of a non-frame stencil, please select Yes for the 'Customized size' option. And please make sure that the custom size is within the valid area of the stencil.

6. Fiducials

If fiducials are required, please ensure that you select the 'Etched Through' or 'Etched Half' option for option 'Fiducials' and include the fiducials design in the file as well. If any inconsistency between option and design, fiducials will not be made on the stencil.

7. Stencil side of 'Top+Bottom(On Single Stencil)’

If you request the stencil side to be 'Top+Bottom(On Single Stencil)', it means that the stencil valid area should be larger than double size of the PCB. So please select the suitable dimension for the stencil to proceed correctly.

8. About typesetting for different designs in your stencil file

Some stencils may have more than one designs on single stencil.

Generally, if the stencil size is large enough to accommodate different designs, we will not alter the typesetting of your designs (for two or more designs within the same stencil file). However, if the stencil size is insufficient, we may adjust the typesetting of designs to ensure they fit on the stencil. If no changes are allowed for the typesetting, please leave a remark when placing your order.

9. About the Stencil Orientation

Generally, if there is no specific note regarding the placement or direction of the cutout on the stencil, the long side of the PCB will automatically align with the long side of the stencil.

10. Packages for nor-frame and frame stencil.

1) For non-frame stencil less than 25*25cm, it will be put in the plastic bag and then packed in flight case.

While over 25*25cm, it will be put in two wood plates first and then packed in cardboard box.

2) For frame stencils of all dimension, they will be put in the cardboard box with wood plates outside for protection.