Introduction
When designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs), the silkscreen layer is an important part of the process. The silkscreen layer is used to add text, logos, and other markings to the board, making it easier to assemble and troubleshoot. Silkscreen layer can be applied in different colors, and white and yellow are the most commonly used. In this blog post, we will compare white and yellow silkscreen and provide a factual and unbiased comparison to help you decide which one is best for your PCB application.
White Silkscreen
White silkscreen is the most commonly used color for PCBs. It is a good all-round color that can be used for various PCB applications, providing sufficient contrast against most PCB colors. In addition, White Silkscreen can produce high-quality images that are easy to read.
Yellow Silkscreen
Yellow silkscreen is a less commonly used color for PCBs. However, it has some benefits that make it extremely useful in certain PCB applications. Yellow silkscreen can be used in combination with darker PCB colors to produce high contrast, making it easier to read text on the PCB. It can also be used to produce a more natural look when designing PCBs with an earthy or organic theme.
Comparison
To help you decide between white and yellow silkscreen for your PCB application, we have summarized their differences in the table below:
| Silkscreen Color | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| White | Good all-round color, provides a high contrast against most PCB colors, produces high-quality images that are easy to read | Can appear stark or bright, producing glare that could make it difficult to read at certain angles |
| Yellow | Provides high contrast when used with darker PCB colors, produces a more natural look when designing PCBs with an earthy or organic theme | May not provide sufficient contrast when used with lighter PCB colors, can be difficult to read when used with some background patterns or images |
As you can see from the table, both silkscreen colors have their pros and cons. The choice of color will ultimately depend on the specific requirements of your PCB design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both white and yellow silkscreen have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. While white silkscreen is the most commonly used color, yellow silkscreen can be particularly useful in certain PCB applications. Whether you choose white or yellow silkscreen will ultimately depend on the specific requirements of your PCB design.
References
- "PCB Silkscreen: White or Yellow?" - Altium, 2022, https://www.altium.com/solution/pcb-silkscreen-white-or-yellow
- "White silkscreen or yellow?" - EEVblog, 2018, https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projec...creen-or-yellow
- Ayers, Jason. "What is Silk Screen Printing in PCB Design?" - Sierra Circuits, 2020, https://www.protoexpress.com/blog/the-basics-of-silk-screen-printing-in-pcb-design/