boardmake

Boardmake is a term used to describe the multidisciplinary process of designing and fabricating flat boards, with a focus on electronics boards such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) as well as other substrates used in crafts, signage, and art. The term encompasses both professional manufacturing and do-it-yourself fabrication, emphasizing customization, rapid prototyping, and accessibility.

The concept emerged from maker and hacker communities that promote open design and shared tooling. It is associated with open-source hardware practices, where design files, standards, and methodologies are circulated to enable replication and improvement. Common software tools in boardmaking include schematic capture and PCB layout programs, often paired with open file formats for interoperability.

A typical boardmaking workflow includes ideation, schematic capture, board layout, fabrication, assembly, and testing. Fabrication methods vary: electronics boards may be etched, milled, or printed with copper traces on FR-4 or phenolic substrates; non-electronic boards may be cut or engraved with laser, router, or CNC milling. Finishing steps can involve solder mask, silkscreen, coating, or varnish. Quality considerations cover trace width and spacing, insulation, impedance for high-speed circuits, and overall dimensional tolerances.

Materials used range from traditional copper-clad boards to alternative substrates like wood, acrylic, or composite laminates. The choice depends on intended use, mechanical requirements, and cost. Boardmaking supports education, hobbyist projects, and small-batch production, and it often emphasizes repairability, documentation, and community-driven knowledge sharing.

See also: PCB, KiCad, CNC milling, laser cutting, DIY electronics.