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I. Why white pcb board?
1. Maximum Visibility Most common PCBs we see are green. That's the color of solder mask, which protects copper traces from short circuits. On a green substrate, what colors offer the highest contrast and visibility? Black and white. So why not black? While black text on a green solder mask is legible, the contrast isn't strong enough. In low light or on densely populated boards, it becomes difficult to read and can appear smudged. Moreover, since the PCB substrate itself is dark, black text can blend in. White text offers the highest, clearest contrast against nearly any dark background—green, blue, red, or black. White pcb board text stands out like footprints on snow. This makes soldering and troubleshooting errors exceptionally convenient.
2. Process Cost Green solder mask with white text is the most widely used and technically mature combination in PCB manufacturing. Factory equipment, processes, and materials are optimized for this pairing. This translates to faster production speeds, streamlined factory operations, and reduced error rates. Since white is universally used, PCB factories maintain ample white ink inventory, have mature mixing processes, and optimize printing equipment specifically for white. Mass-scale, standardized production naturally leads to lower costs. Opting for a bright pink or fluorescent green screen print would likely require factories to custom-mix colors and clean equipment, incurring extra time and expenses.
3. Stability and DurabilityOnce cured, white silkscreen ink becomes exceptionally robust. It withstands the high temperatures and corrosive effects of flux during subsequent soldering. When components are soldered, the board undergoes intense heat. White silkscreen ink generally tolerates these temperatures well, resisting yellowing, cracking, or peeling. Unless scraped with sharp objects, white silkscreen remains sharp for extended periods, resisting blurring from daily use or storage. This is crucial for development boards and educational kits intended for long-term preservation.II. Are There Other Colors of Silk Screen?In specific scenarios, other colors appear, such as black silk screen, commonly seen on white PCBs. High-end graphics cards and motherboards often use white PCBs for aesthetic reasons, where black silk screen creates a striking contrast. Yellow silk screen is occasionally used on blue or black PCBs. Additionally, some extremely compact boards with high component density, or those prioritizing minimalist aesthetics, may omit silkscreen entirely due to lack of space or illegibility. High-end boards may also employ laser marking instead of ink printing, typically resulting in gray markings.
II. Other Screen Printing Colors In certain special cases, other colors may be visible, such as black screen printing—commonly seen on white PCBs. High-end graphics cards and motherboards often use white PCBs for aesthetic reasons, where black screen printing creates a striking contrast. Yellow screen printing is sometimes used on blue or black PCBs. Additionally, some extremely compact boards with high component density, or those prioritizing minimalist aesthetics, may omit silkscreen entirely due to lack of space or illegibility. On premium boards, laser marking may replace ink printing, typically appearing in gray.