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Single-sided PCB: a buyer's guide.
What a single-sided PCB is, how it is made, which material to choose and what decides the price. From the team at Sara Circuits, a single-sided PCB manufacturer in Barwala, Haryana.
What is a single-sided PCB?
One copper layer
A single-sided PCB has copper tracks on one side of an insulating base. Through-hole parts sit on the plain side with their leads soldered on the copper side; SMD parts mount on the copper side.
Also called
Single-layer PCB, single side PCB or 1-layer PCB. All mean the same board.
Where it is used
Mobile chargers and adapters, SMPS, LED bulbs, DOBs, emergency lights, LED drivers, fan regulators, appliance controls, remotes and automotive lamps. Industries
Why it is so common
It is the lowest-cost PCB to make in volume, and most power and lighting circuits fit on one layer.
How a single-sided PCB is made.
The main steps on our line, from your Gerber file to a tested board.
1. CAM check
Engineers check the Gerber for track width, spacing, creepage, hole sizes and panel layout.
2. Your PDF approval
You approve a PDF of the final artwork before any board is made.
3. Circuit printing
The track pattern is printed onto the copper-clad laminate.
4. Etching
Unwanted copper is etched away, leaving the tracks and pads.
5. Solder mask and legend
Solder mask protects the tracks; the legend prints component outlines and marks.
6. Punching, routing or V-cut
Boards are punched on a blanking die for volume, CNC routed, or V-cut into strips.
7. Bare board testing
Every lot is tested for opens and shorts and checked by an independent QC team.
8. Dispatch
Packed and dispatched with a job number that traces back to the process records. Full process
Single-sided vs double-sided PCB.
Layers
Single-sided: one copper layer. Double-sided: copper on both sides, joined by plated holes.
Cost
Single-sided costs less: fewer process steps, no hole plating, and it can be punched in volume.
Design
Single-sided needs all tracks on one layer, sometimes with jumper wires. Double-sided allows denser routing.
When to choose single-sided
Power supplies, chargers, LED lighting and appliance controls, where cost and volume matter and the circuit fits on one layer.
Single-sided PCB materials.
A starting point. We confirm the choice after seeing your design. Full material guide
| Material | Build | Typical use | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR1 | Paper phenolic | Remotes, toys, simple controls and low-power adapters away from heat | Lowest cost; punches cleanly |
| CEM1 | Paper core with glass-epoxy surface | Most chargers, adapters, LED drivers, SMPS and appliance controls | The standard for punched boards; stronger than FR1 |
| CEM3 | Non-woven glass core | Hotter drivers and SMPS in closed housings, low-power LED battens | Handles heat better than CEM1, costs less than FR4 |
| FR4 | Woven glass epoxy | Battery chargers, automotive, industrial and higher-power boards | Best strength, heat and moisture resistance |
| Aluminium MCPCB | Copper on a dielectric over an aluminium base | LED bulbs, DOBs, panels, battens, street lights, DRLs | Carries heat away from LEDs |
Advantages and limits.
Advantages
Lowest cost per board, simple process, punchable in large panels, quick to tool with ready dies, easy to inspect and repair.
Limits
One routing layer, so very dense or high-speed designs need double-sided or multilayer boards instead.
What decides the price of a single-sided PCB?
We price per design after a CAM check. These are the factors that move the price.
Material
FR1 is the lowest cost, then CEM1, CEM3, FR4 and aluminium MCPCB.
Copper thickness
35 µm (1 oz) is standard; 70 µm (2 oz) costs more.
Board area and panel use
Price follows area. Board sizes that fit the panel well waste less laminate.
Quantity per design
Larger quantities spread set-up and tooling. We supply production volumes from 40 m² per design.
Profiling
Punching needs a blanking die. If your size matches one of our 21 ready dies, there is no tooling charge. Ready dies
Finish, mask and testing
Mask colour, HASL or OSP finish, and test requirements all play a part.
Questions? Answers.
What is a single-sided PCB?
A printed circuit board with copper tracks on only one side of an insulating base such as FR1, CEM1, CEM3, FR4 or aluminium.
Is a single-layer PCB the same as a single-sided PCB?
Yes. Single-layer, single-sided and single side PCB all describe a board with one copper layer.
What is the price of a single-sided PCB in India?
It depends on material, copper thickness, board area, quantity, profiling and finish. We quote each design after a CAM check: send the Gerber and quantity through the quote form or WhatsApp.
Which single-sided PCB material is cheapest?
FR1 (paper phenolic). For boards near heat, relays or mains, CEM1 or better is recommended.
Who manufactures single-sided PCBs in India?
Sara Circuits makes single-sided PCBs in volume at Plot 233, HSIIDC Industrial Estate, Barwala, District Panchkula, Haryana, with 10,000 m² of monthly capacity.
What is the minimum order at Sara Circuits?
40 m² of board per design (part number), not 40 pieces. That is about 430 sq ft, or about 16,000 pcs of a 50 × 50 mm board. For regular customers only, designs below 40 m² can be run with a ₹2,500 development charge.
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Send us your design.
Attach the Gerber, tell us the material and quantity, and we will come back with a price.