Press-n-Peel in Michigan (Ann Arbor/Detroit)

[vesprem1]

hey everybody--

brand new to this site as of 2 minutes ago. i was wondering if anyone knows where i can buy Press-n-Peel PCB transfer paper in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area of Michigan? I've found etchant at Radio Shack but can't find the PnP paper.

I'd REALLY appreciate any help you could give me. If anyone has a national chain store to suggest that'd be very helpful too.

Thanks for helping a newbie.
Mike.

 

[jrz126]

Hi Mike,
Welcome to the board...
I havent used the the PnP paper, but I (and many of the people here) have used the photo-paper transfer method. You just use a laser printer and some photo paper instead of the PnP (Seems like the Staple's paper is better than the others. SKU#18103-02238). Then you iron it on like regular. I guess it's the same method as the PnP, but a heck of a lot cheaper for the paper.
Also with the PnP, the amount of time ironing is critical, if you iron too long then it is ruined, but with the photo paper, you can iron as long as you want.

You may want to go out and buy some sodium persulfate for your etchant, the ferric chloride from rat shack is very messy and stains anything it touches. Also, the sodium persulfate is clear so you can see the board as it etches (easier to see when it is done, so you dont overetch it).
It also turns to a blue windex color as it etches so it gives an indication as to when it's chemicability (I think I made this word up :lol: ) is used up.
Webtronics carries the sodium persulfate for about 20 bucks for 1 kg of it.

Hope this helps,

 

[vesprem1]

Hey Jeff--thanks so much already for the help. I'm not familiar with using photo-paper...is there a thread in here that describes the process? I tried looking up the Staples SKU without success--is it standard photo paper (like HP)? I didn't know that would transfer to the board.

Lotsa questions i know, but again--thanks so much for the help. I really appreciate it.
Mike.

 

[jrz126]

Yes, it is the standard staples photopaper, it says it is for inkjet printers, but it it works
Any picture paper should do the job though.

Here's a thread that is specifically for the photo paper:
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/breath-control.12679/



Here's some old threads on the subject: (I'm just looking through my old posts on this)
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/breath-control.12679/
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/audio-amplifier-problem-bdt65b-tip142.11542/
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/a-complete-newbee_needs-advice.12451/
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/dot-matrix-board.12383/
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/would-this-h-bridge-work.12121/
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/mc3417.11687/
https://www.electro-tech-online.com/threads/controlling-an-ac-heater-using-pic-16f876.11617/
(I have started or participated in just about every thread reguarding PCB making since about september)

EDIT: Oh yeah, if you have AIM, feel free to IM me (JeffZimmerman484), I'd be glad to help.