Our "direct etch" product is called
The original idea behind 'direct etch' came from the realization that all toners contain plastic which is a natural "etch resist". The problem has always been, how do you get the image out of the laser printer and onto the board. Our TTS paper solves this problem beautifully!

The Toner Transfer System, (or "TTS" for short) is a letter size, light weight 5mil thick paper, coated on one side with a special Dextrin "water soluble" coating. The coating is impervious to heat so it causes no problems being run through any laser printer or photocopier.

Our "TTS" paper is different than other water-slide papers because of the type of paper we use. This paper is so thin and flexible, it can be run through the most complex of color copiers without ever causing a jam.

The technique is quite simple and will be graphically explained in detail by clicking on the next menu item down, "The 15min PCB ", but as a cursory overview.

The entire process including etching the board takes less than 15 minutes!

Here is how it all works...

  1. Print the circuit board layout onto the special TTS paper using any laser printer or photocopier. Lay the image face-down over a blank copper board.
  2. Apply heat to the back of the paper which makes the toner "refuse" and stick to the copper surface.
  3. Slip the circuit board into a tray of water. The glue coating (between the toner image and the fibers of the paper) will disolve in about one minute letting the paper float away.
  4. The toner image being rather porous is now sealed before it is etched to prevent pitted traces. A special green film is laid over the transferred black circuit image and heated again. Peel back the green film and discard. The toner image, and JUST the toner image, will now be a bright green color, fully sealed and ready to be etched.