An overview of digital printing for advanced interconnect applications

Purpose To review the concept of digital imaging for PCB manufacturing, with a specific focus on ink‐jet printing technologies. Design/methodology/approach This paper has been written to provide a review of digital imaging in the PCB industry. The application of ink‐jet printing in PCB manufacturing and the basic technology behind ink‐jet printing is described. Findings Ink‐jet printing in PCB manufacturing is a new technology, whose benefits and liabilities are still being determined. Although the concept of digital imaging fits a need in the industry for better control over registration, there are still many issues to be addressed for the technology to become widely adopted. Originality/value The value of the paper lies in educating the industry in the concepts of ink‐jet printing and the potential benefits it can deliver towards yield improvement and reduced costs in an ever‐more demanding and price sensitive market.