The color of a PCB typically refers to the hue of the solder mask on the board’s surface. PCB board staining pigments are a type of hardened resin, with the primary resin being colorless or nearly transparent. Зеленый, as with other colors, is achieved through the addition of pigments.
We employ silk-screen printing to apply colors onto the PCB. PCBs come in various colors such as green, черный, синий, yellow, purple, красный, and brown. Some manufacturers have ingeniously developed PCBs in multiple colors like white and pink.
Physical Properties of PCB Colors
When selecting a PCB color, one must consider the physical properties of the PCB material. Typically composed of fiberglass and epoxy resin, PCB materials have densities, thermal conductivity coefficients, coefficients of thermal expansion, tensile strengths, and other physical attributes that directly impact performance and reliability. Different-colored PCBs may utilize varied production processes and materials, thereby exhibiting differing physical properties.Chemical Properties of PCB Colors
In addition to physical properties, the color of a PCB also influences its chemical characteristics. PCB boards undergo heating and chemical treatments during production, and PCBs of different colors may require distinct chemical processes. This affects properties such as annealing temperature, acid and alkali resistance, and corrosion resistance. Some colored PCBs may employ more complex production processes and materials, resulting in enhanced chemical corrosion resistance.
Characteristics of Different Colored PCBs
- Green PCB
- White PCB
- Yellow PCB
- Blue PCB
- Red PCB
- Black PCB

How pcb colors are made
The color of a PCB (Печатная плата) is primarily achieved by applying a layer of special solder mask during the manufacturing process. Here are the general steps involved in producing PCB colors:- During the manufacturing process of a PCB, a thin layer of copper foil is first laid on the substrate, forming the conductive layer of the PCB. If producing a double-sided or multilayer board, both sides or multiple layers of the PCB substrate will be covered with copper foil.
- Следующий, the designed PCB circuit pattern is “printed” onto the metal conductor using a technique called subtractive transfer. In this process, the entire surface is covered with a layer of copper foil, and excess copper foil is removed through etching techniques to form the desired circuit pattern.
- After forming the circuit pattern, to separate the soldering and non-soldering parts of the PCB during soldering and prevent copper oxidation (pure copper surfaces quickly undergo oxidation reactions when exposed to air, and oxidized copper becomes a poor conductor of electricity, greatly damaging the electrical performance of the entire PCB), engineers apply a layer of solder mask on the surface of the PCB. This solder mask layer blocks the contact between copper and air, protecting the copper layer from oxidation.
- The color of the solder mask can be adjusted as needed. Since small text needs to be printed on the PCB, engineers typically add various colors to the solder mask to create different PCB colors. Например, черный, красный, синий, dark green, and dark brown are common PCB colors.
- After applying the solder mask, a series of post-processing steps such as hot air leveling, milling the outline, electrical testing, final inspection, и т. д., are required to ensure that the quality and performance of the PCB meet the requirements.

Why are most PCB green now?
The prevalence of green PCBs stems from several factors:- Glass Epoxy Resin Material:
- Historically, green was the standard color for the solder mask made from glass epoxy resin, which is commonly used in ПХБ производство. While other colors have been introduced, green remains the preferred choice.
- Contrast with White Printed Text:
- Green PCBs offer simplicity and time efficiency for assembly workers, as scanning them is straightforward and quick due to their familiarity with the color. Кроме того, green creates less eye strain during scanning compared to other colors and provides contrast with white printed text on the circuit board.
- Military Applications:
- Military standards have a significant influence on the preference for green PCBs. Many believe that green is highly effective for military purposes, leading to a demand for green PCBs from suppliers who also serve other clients. Следовательно, green PCBs become surplus products for military suppliers, further reinforcing their acceptance.
- Exposure Rate of Solder Mask:
- While other colors like blue, white, or brown exist, they may not offer a higher solder mask exposure rate compared to green. Darker colors tend to have higher pigment deposition, resulting in darker solder masks. White and black solder masks have high exposure rates, but green provides adequate shading for worker exposure and design tolerances.
- Better Machine Recognition:
- During PCB manufacturing processes such as board fabrication and surface-mount component soldering, visual inspection is crucial. Green PCBs offer better visibility in yellow-lit environments, aiding machine recognition and calibration for tasks like solder paste application and automated optical inspection (Аои).
- Comfort for Workers:
- In some manual inspection processes (although increasingly replaced by automated testing), workers may observe PCBs under strong lighting. Green PCBs are more comfortable for the eyes in such conditions.
- Cost Reduction:
- Green PCBs have widespread use, enabling economies of scale in production and procurement. Standardizing on one color reduces production line costs, as bulk purchasing of the same-color solder mask lowers procurement costs. Следовательно, green solder mask is advantageous in terms of manufacturing costs and lead times.
- Relative Environmental Friendliness:
- Green PCBs are relatively environmentally friendly, as they do not release toxic gases during high-temperature recycling of waste boards. Other PCB colors, such as blue and black, contain cobalt and carbon, which pose risks of short circuits due to weaker conductivity.