Making double-sided PCB (printed circuit board) at home (small workshop) - photo-method and etching

This video shows how I make PCBs for prototypes at the first round of development before I send the design to the factory manufacture to be sure that everything works as I intended.

This particular board is the mainboard for my prepared USB MIDI controller with 4x4 arcade buttons matrix and RGB LEDs for djing, finger drumming, and music production inspired by MIDI Fighter...




There are more ways how to achieve good looking functional results. In general photo method and etching is one of the two most used methods. The second one is the CNC milling.

Both methods have pros and cons.

The photo method needs manipulation with chemicals, PCB with prepared photoresist surface and usage of UV light source. In the beginning, it looks quite difficult, but if you have everything settled down it is a quick way and the results are nice looking and sharp.

CNC milling, on the other hand, is a dry process but obviously requires a CNC machine and the entire process, machine settings, and milling itself can be more time-consuming (mainly on the bigger boards).

None of these methods is better or worse, everything depends on your possibilities and available resources e.g. workspace, tools...