First, prices can vary significantly depending on the materials used. PCB production involves numerous raw materials, such as substrates, inks, and auxiliary materials like electroplating chemicals. For example, there are well-known brands like Taiguang, Taiyao, Shengyi, and KB, as well as many lesser-known brands. Prices vary significantly between brands. For example, Shengyi substrates of the same specifications are approximately 20% more expensive than KB substrates, and significantly more expensive than lesser-known brands. This indicates that differences in substrate material contribute to significant price differences in PCBs.
Second, differences in process technology also affect PCB prices. For example, the copper plate process and the black hole process are simple, time-efficient, and easy to control, saving labor and increasing production capacity. The copper plate process is more complex, taking approximately four times as long as the black hole process, difficult to control, and with relatively lower production efficiency. However, products using the copper plate process offer significantly better performance and a higher price.
Of course, it's not necessarily the most expensive, but the best. The best is what suits you best. If a customer's purchasing strategy is price-driven and their budget is limited, they may lower standards for raw materials and processes based on their product positioning (for example, choosing lower-priced materials, but only if they meet product requirements). If the PCB is used in a high-end product, high-performance materials should be selected. This is because the PCB's value in the overall product is relatively small. If the material causes the PCB to be incompatible with the product or the product is scrapped, it will cause immeasurable losses to the company.
