PCB Manufacturing Checklist

PCB manufacturing checklist before fabrication or assembly

Use this checklist before sending a board to JLCPCB, PCBWay, an Indian PCB manufacturer, or a PCBA vendor. It is designed for KiCad users, students, startups, and embedded teams preparing a production-ready PCB package.

Fabrication files

• Gerber files exported for every copper, mask, paste, silkscreen, and board outline layer.
• Excellon drill files exported and checked for plated and non-plated holes.
• Board outline is closed, unambiguous, and visible on the correct mechanical layer.
• Stackup, copper weight, board thickness, solder mask color, and surface finish are specified.

Assembly files

• BOM includes manufacturer part numbers, quantities, values, footprints, and approved alternates.
• Pick-and-place file includes reference designators, X/Y coordinates, rotation, and board side.
• Polarized components, connectors, LEDs, IC pin 1 marks, and orientation-sensitive parts are reviewed.
• Assembly notes explain do-not-populate parts, special handling, and manual soldering steps.

Review before ordering

• DRC and ERC are clean or every warning has been intentionally accepted.
• Critical footprints match the datasheet land pattern and the intended package.
• Test points are available for power rails, programming, communication buses, and bring-up signals.
• Enclosure, connector access, mounting holes, and cable clearance have been checked.