--- title: "Controlling PCB Costs: Part 2" description: PCB laminate costs can add up quickly without proper planning and utilization of resources. Learn how to control factors to keep costs down and save time image: https://www.epectec.com/images/pcb-18x24-panel-explained.jpg --- [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) [![Epec Engineered Technologies](https://www.epectec.com/images/logo.png "Epec Engineered Technologies")](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [About](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - Back - [Company Overview](https://www.epectec.com/about/overview/) - [Our History](https://www.epectec.com/about/our-history/) - [Culture](https://www.epectec.com/about/culture/) - [Industries Served](https://www.epectec.com/about/industry/) - [Acquisitions](https://www.epectec.com/about/acquisitions.html) - [Operations](https://www.epectec.com/operations/) - Back - [Operational Excellence](https://www.epectec.com/operations/) - [Quality Philosophy](https://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-philosophy.html) - [Quality Assurance Process](https://www.epectec.com/operations/quality-assurance-process.html) - [Global Operations](https://www.epectec.com/operations/global-operations.html) - [Logistics & Supply Chain](https://www.epectec.com/operations/logistics-and-supply-chain.html) - [Inventory Stocking](https://www.epectec.com/operations/inventory-stocking.html) - [Approvals](https://www.epectec.com/operations/approvals.html) - [ITAR Registered](https://www.epectec.com/operations/itar-registered.html) - [Engineering](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/overview/) - Back - [Engineering Overview](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/overview/) - [Engineering Support](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/support/) - [Design Services](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/design-services/) - [EpecDFx™](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/epecdfx/) - [Free DFM File Check](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/free-dfm.html) - [PCB Impedance Calculator](https://www.epectec.com/engineering/impedance-calculator.html) - [Products](https://www.epectec.com/products/) - Back - [Overview](https://www.epectec.com/products/) - [Battery Packs](https://www.epectec.com/batteries/) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCBS](https://www.epectec.com/flex/) - [Cable Assemblies](https://www.epectec.com/cable-assemblies/) - [Printed Circuit Boards](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/) - [CNC Machining](https://www.epectec.com/cnc-machining/) - [User Interfaces](https://www.epectec.com/user-interfaces/) - [Flexible Heaters](https://www.epectec.com/flexible-heaters/) - [EC Fans & Motors](https://www.epectec.com/fans-motors/) - [Design Guides](https://www.epectec.com/guides/) - [Design Guides](https://www.epectec.com/guides/) - Back - Resources - Back - [Articles](https://www.epectec.com/articles/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - [Webinars](https://www.epectec.com/webinar/) - [Videos](https://www.epectec.com/videos/) - [Case Studies](https://www.epectec.com/case-studies/) - [News & Events](https://www.epectec.com/news/) - [Customer Portal](https://system.netsuite.com/c.406760/site/NSlogin.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.epectec.com/contact/) - Back - [Contact Information](https://www.epectec.com/contact/) - [Our Sales Team](https://www.epectec.com/contact/our-sales-team.html) - [Office Locations](https://www.epectec.com/contact/office-locations.html) - [Career Opportunities](https://www.epectec.com/contact/career-opportunities.html) - [InstantPCB*Quote*™](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) - Back - [Overview](https://www.epectec.com/instantpcbquote/) - [Login](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/) - [Register](https://secure.epecpcb.com/epec/index2.jsp) - [Home](https://www.epectec.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.epectec.com/) - Controlling PCB Costs: Part 2 Share This Page: [LinkedIn](https://blog.epectec.com/#linkedin) [X](https://blog.epectec.com/#x) [Facebook](https://blog.epectec.com/#facebook) [Email](https://blog.epectec.com/#email) # Controlling PCB Costs: Part 2 [![Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog-Authors/al-wright.jpg "Al Wright")](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Written by [Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/author/al-wright) Posted on June 19, 2015 at 2:30 PM ![Al Wright](https://blog.epectec.com/hubfs/Blog-Authors/al-wright.jpg "Al Wright") - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## PCB Laminate Utilization - Part and Panel Size: In our [first post on controlling PCB costs](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-1), we detailed many of the common cost drivers people face and ways to avoid them. For part 2 of controlling costs, we are focusing on one example that can cost a lot of dollars: PCB laminate costs and utilization Printed circuit boards are run through the fabrication process in sheet form, typically with rows and columns of identical circuit boards or sub-panels on a single sheet, which are later cut out for shipment. One of the biggest potential cost adders in [PCB manufacturing](https://www.epectec.com/pcb/manufacturing-capabilities.html) is that of a poor-yielding PCB or sub-panel. While this is true for even the least complex PCBs, it is especially true for multilayers. [![Free Ebook Download: PCB Cost Adders To Know About ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707152/80a15e62-1bcf-4524-80fd-30a36c27e42b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707152/80a15e62-1bcf-4524-80fd-30a36c27e42b) As an example, if your fabricator can only fit two printed circuit boards per press cycle versus four printed circuit boards, your order will take twice as long to move through lamination. Aside from the up-front negative impact of the cost adder, this means a quick turn may not get through on schedule, or a large order may consume several shifts of lamination time before it can be drilled. To avoid creating such costly bottleneck situations, pay close attention to the size of both your PCB and your sub-panel. [![Good-Yielding Sub-Panels for 18X24 Sheet Stock](https://www.epectec.com/images/pcb-18x24-panel-explained.jpg "Good-Yielding Sub-Panels for 18X24 Sheet Stock")](https://www.epectec.com/images/pcb-18x24-panel-explained.jpg) *Good-Yielding Sub-Panels for 18X24 Sheet Stock* It helps to understand that most PCB fabricators use machined metal plates in their lamination process. These plates are very costly, so typically a fabricator will stock just one or two standard sizes. In the USA, the most common size by far is 18x24, with some also employing 16x21 or 12x18 plates. You need to understand that whatever size PCB or sub-panel your fabricator will be shipping to you must make efficient use of material in this size. Be aware also that the edges of the process sheet need to be left free, because they must be used for locating fabricator tooling hole patterns, test coupons, plating rails, etc. At the interior of the sheet, circuit boards which are not v-scored require that space be allocated for routing channels required to form the edges. It is therefore not a simple matter of creating a unit size that divides evenly into an 18x24 sheet. To more fully understand process sheet utilization, please refer to the included diagram. [![18X24 Diagram with Margins Required for Processing](https://www.epectec.com/images/example-pcb-sub-panels-good-yields.jpg "18X24 Diagram with Margins Required for Processing")](https://www.epectec.com/images/example-pcb-sub-panels-good-yields.jpg) *8X24 Diagram with Margins Required for Processing* See our [Controlling PCB Costs: Part 1](https://blog.epectec.com/controlling-pcb-costs-part-1) post here. --- ## Key Takeaways - **Laminate utilization impacts cost:** Poor-yielding PCBs or sub-panels can double lamination time, increase costs and delay schedules. - **Standard sheet sizes matter:** Most U.S. fabricators use 18x24 plates, so designing around this size improves efficiency. - **Margins are required:** Tooling holes, plating rails, and test coupons occupy edge space, reducing usable laminate area. - **Routing requirements affect layout:** Boards that aren’t v-scored need extra space for routing channels, impacting yield. - **Designing for yield saves money:** Optimizing PCB and sub-panel sizes to fit standard process sheets lowers waste, reduces bottlenecks, and helps meet tight deadlines. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Topics: [Printed Circuit Boards](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) --- [Next](https://blog.epectec.com/cable-assemblies-testing-after-manufacturing) | [All posts](https://blog.epectec.com/all) | [Previous](https://blog.epectec.com/epec-donates-to-american-heart-association) [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/707152/ae5c9320-de41-4e78-9fd7-9704ad087173.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/707152/ae5c9320-de41-4e78-9fd7-9704ad087173) ## Leave a Comment --- ## Related Posts --- ### Recent Posts --- ### Posts by Topic - [Printed Circuit Boards (157)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/printed-circuit-boards) - [Product Design (132)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/product-design) - [Battery Packs (118)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/battery-packs) - [Cable Assemblies (99)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cable-assemblies) - [Flex & Rigid-Flex PCB's (92)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flex-rigid-flex-pcbs) - [Electronics Industry (61)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/electronics-industry) - [User Interfaces (54)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/user-interfaces) - [Quality Solutions (32)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/quality-solutions) - [Flexible Heaters (30)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/flexible-heaters) - [Events, Training, and Support (9)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/events-training-and-support) - [RF Products (7)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/rf-products) - [CNC Machining (3)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/cnc-machining) - [Fans & Motors (1)](https://blog.epectec.com/topic/fans-motors) See All --- --- ### Need Help with A Project? 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