What Is a Barebones PCB? Features, Benefits & How to Use It

If you’ve spent any time waiting for prototype boards to arrive from overseas, you know the frustration. Two weeks between design iterations can kill momentum on a project. That’s exactly why I started using barebones PCBs about five years ago, and honestly, it changed my entire prototyping workflow.

A barebones PCB is a stripped-down circuit board that contains only the essential copper traces and pads on an FR4 substrate. Unlike standard PCBs, it skips the solder mask, silkscreen, and other finishing layers. This simplified manufacturing process allows for incredibly fast turnaround times—often just 24 hours—making it the go-to choice for engineers who need to validate designs quickly without burning through their budget.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about barebones PCBs: what makes them different, when to use them, and how to get the most out of them in your projects.

What Makes a Barebones PCB Different?

When you order a standard PCB, the manufacturer applies multiple layers: copper traces, solder mask (that green coating), and silkscreen (the white text showing component labels). Each layer adds processing time and cost.

A barebones PCB eliminates most of these steps. You get the FR4 fiberglass substrate with etched copper traces and plated holes—nothing more. The board comes out with a distinctive yellow-brown color from the raw FR4, and the copper traces have a tin finish for solderability.

Think of it this way: a barebones PCB is to a standard PCB what a rough draft is to a final manuscript. It gets the job done for testing purposes, but it’s not meant for the finished product.

Key Characteristics of Barebones PCBs

Feature	Barebones PCB	Standard PCB
Solder Mask	No	Yes (green, red, blue, etc.)
Silkscreen	No	Yes (component labels)
Substrate	FR4 (0.062″ typical)	FR4 or specialty materials
Copper Weight	1 oz standard	1-2 oz typical
Surface Finish	Tin over copper	HASL, ENIG, OSP, etc.
Turnaround Time	1-2 days	5-14 days
Cost	30-50% lower	Standard pricing

Core Features of Barebones PCBs

No Solder Mask Layer

The solder mask is that colored coating (usually green) that covers most of a standard PCB. It serves two main purposes: protecting the copper from oxidation and preventing solder from bridging between closely-spaced pads.

On a barebones PCB, this layer doesn’t exist. The copper traces are exposed, covered only by a thin tin finish. This means you need to be more careful during soldering, especially with fine-pitch components. But for through-hole parts and larger SMD components, the lack of solder mask rarely causes problems.

No Silkscreen Printing

Silkscreen is the white printing on PCBs that shows component designators (R1, C2, U3, etc.), polarity markings, and other assembly guides. Without it, you’ll need to keep your schematic and layout files handy during assembly.

I always print out a 1:1 scale image of my board layout and keep it next to me when populating barebones boards. It takes an extra minute to set up, but saves confusion later.

Simplified Layer Structure

Most barebones PCB services only support 2-layer designs. The board structure is straightforward: FR4 core with copper on both sides, plated through-holes connecting the layers. This covers the vast majority of prototype designs, though it won’t work for complex multilayer projects.

Fast Manufacturing Process

By eliminating the solder mask application, curing, silkscreen printing, and multiple quality inspections, manufacturers can produce barebones PCBs in a fraction of the time. What normally takes 5-7 days can be done in 24 hours.

Benefits of Using Barebones PCBs

Rapid Prototyping Turnaround

This is the main reason engineers choose barebones PCBs. When you’re in the middle of a design cycle and need to test a circuit modification, waiting two weeks for boards is painful. With barebones, you can have boards in your hands within 3-4 days including shipping from US-based manufacturers.

I’ve done three complete design iterations in the time it would take to get one set of standard prototype boards from overseas. That speed advantage is worth the trade-offs for early-stage prototyping.

Significant Cost Savings

Barebones PCBs typically cost 30-50% less than equivalent standard boards. The savings come from reduced material usage and simpler manufacturing. For a small prototype run, this might mean spending $20 instead of $40—not a huge difference. But when you’re doing multiple iterations or larger quantities, the savings add up.

Order Size	Standard PCB Cost	Barebones PCB Cost	Savings
5 boards (2″ x 2″)	~$35-50	~$15-25	40-50%
10 boards (3″ x 3″)	~$60-80	~$30-45	40-45%
20 boards (4″ x 4″)	~$100-150	~$55-85	35-45%

Note: Prices vary by manufacturer and specifications

Design Flexibility

Without a solder mask, you can easily make modifications to the board. Need to cut a trace? Just scrape away the tin and copper. Want to add a jumper wire? Solder directly to the exposed trace. This flexibility is valuable during debugging when you discover a routing error or want to test a circuit modification.

Environmental Considerations

Barebones PCBs use fewer chemicals and materials in production. No solder mask means no mask application, development, or curing chemicals. For environmentally-conscious engineers and companies, this is a small but meaningful benefit.

Barebones PCB vs. Bare PCB vs. Zero PCB

These terms often get confused, so let me clarify the differences:

Type	Description	Use Case
Barebones PCB	Custom-designed board with copper traces, no solder mask or silkscreen	Rapid prototyping of specific designs
Bare PCB	Fully manufactured board (with solder mask/silkscreen) but no components	Standard production, ready for assembly
Zero PCB (Perfboard)	Generic board with grid of holes, no predefined traces	Breadboard-style prototyping, one-offs

A bare PCB is actually a fully finished board—it just hasn’t been populated with components yet. It has all the layers including solder mask and silkscreen.

A zero PCB (also called perfboard or dot PCB) is a generic board with holes in a grid pattern. You create circuits by soldering components and adding wire jumpers. It’s great for one-off experiments but doesn’t scale well.

A barebones PCB sits between these: it has your custom circuit layout but without the finishing layers. It’s designed for rapid iteration during development.

Typical Applications for Barebones PCBs

Prototype Development and Testing

This is where barebones PCBs shine. When you’re validating a new circuit design, you need boards fast. The 24-hour turnaround lets you test, modify, and retest designs quickly. Once the design is proven, you can order standard production boards with all the finishing layers.

Educational Projects and Learning

For students learning PCB design and assembly, barebones boards are ideal. They’re cheap enough that mistakes aren’t expensive, and the exposed traces help students understand how the circuit actually works. Many university electronics labs use barebones PCBs for lab exercises.

DIY Electronics and Maker Projects

Hobbyists and makers benefit from the low cost and fast delivery. When you’re building a one-off project for personal use, the cosmetic differences don’t matter. I’ve used barebones boards for home automation controllers, sensor nodes, and various workshop tools.

Low-Volume Production Runs

For very small production runs (under 50 units), barebones PCBs can make economic sense. If the product is for internal use or technical customers who don’t care about appearance, why pay for cosmetic finishing?

Design Specifications and Restrictions

Before designing for barebones manufacturing, understand the limitations:

Standard Barebones PCB Specifications

Parameter	Typical Specification
Layers	2 (top and bottom copper)
Material	FR4, 0.062″ (1.6mm) thick
Copper Weight	1 oz (35µm)
Minimum Trace/Space	5-6 mil (0.127-0.15mm)
Minimum Hole Size	0.010″ (0.254mm)
Minimum Board Size	1.0″ x 1.0″ (25mm x 25mm)
Maximum Board Size	10″ x 16″ (254mm x 406mm)
Surface Finish	Tin over copper
Hole Plating	Plated or non-plated

Design Restrictions to Keep in Mind

No internal cutouts: Most barebones services don’t support routing internal cutouts (areas removed from the middle of the board). Stick to simple rectangular or external contour shapes.

Minimum size requirements: Boards smaller than 1″ x 1″ will typically be expanded to meet minimum size requirements. Plan accordingly if you need small boards.

No scoring or tab routing: V-scoring and tab-routed panelization aren’t available. Each board ships as an individual piece.

Hole density limits: Some manufacturers limit the number of drilled holes per square inch (typically 50 holes/sq. inch maximum).

How to Order and Use Barebones PCBs

Step 1: Prepare Your Design Files

Generate Gerber files from your PCB design software. You’ll need:

• Top copper layer
• Bottom copper layer
• Drill file (Excellon format)
• Board outline

Most CAD tools (KiCad, Altium, Eagle, EasyEDA) can export these automatically. Even though barebones boards don’t use solder mask or silkscreen, it’s fine to include those files—the manufacturer will simply ignore them.

Step 2: Choose a Manufacturer

Several PCB manufacturers offer barebones services:

• Advanced Circuits (US) – The original “BareBones” service, 1-day turnaround
• Bay Area Circuits (US) – Same-day options available
• San Francisco Circuits (US) – 24-hour bare board fabrication
• Various Asian manufacturers – Lower cost but longer shipping

For fastest turnaround, stick with domestic manufacturers. The shipping time from Asia usually negates any manufacturing speed advantage.

Step 3: Upload and Order

Most manufacturers have online quoting systems. Upload your Gerbers, select barebones/quick-turn options, specify quantity, and place your order. Double-check the specifications match your design requirements.

Step 4: Assembly Tips for Barebones Boards

Soldering on barebones PCBs requires a bit more care:

Use flux generously. Without solder mask channeling the solder, flux helps keep things controlled.

Work with a fine-tipped iron. Precision helps avoid bridges on closely-spaced traces.

Inspect carefully after soldering. Solder bridges are easier to create and harder to spot without the contrasting solder mask.

Consider solder paste stencils. For SMD work, a stencil maintains consistent paste deposits even without solder mask.

Test before powering up. Always check for shorts between power rails and ground before applying power.

Useful Resources and Tools

PCB Design Software (Free Options)

• KiCad – kicad.org – Full-featured, open-source
• EasyEDA – easyeda.com – Browser-based, beginner-friendly
• Fritzing – fritzing.org – Good for hobbyists

Gerber Viewers

• Gerbv – gerbv.github.io – Open-source viewer
• ZofzPCB – zofzpcb.com – 3D visualization
• Reference Gerber Viewer – gerber-viewer.ucamco.com – Official Ucamco viewer

Component Databases

• Octopart – octopart.com – Component search and comparison
• FindChips – findchips.com – Distributor inventory search
• DigiKey – digikey.com – Parts and datasheets

Design Rule Check Resources

• PCB Checklist – Most manufacturers provide DFM (Design for Manufacturability) guidelines
• IPC Standards – ipc.org – Industry standards for PCB design

Frequently Asked Questions About Barebones PCBs

Can I use barebones PCBs for production products?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. Without solder mask, the exposed copper is more susceptible to oxidation and physical damage. Solder bridges are also more likely during assembly. Barebones PCBs are best suited for prototyping and internal use. For customer-facing products, invest in proper finished boards.

How do I prevent solder bridges without solder mask?

Use plenty of flux, work with a fine-tipped soldering iron, and take your time. For surface-mount components, consider using solder paste with a stencil to control the amount of solder precisely. Magnification (loupe or microscope) helps catch bridges before they cause problems. Keep your soldering tip clean and properly tinned.

What’s the typical turnaround time for barebones PCBs?

Manufacturing typically takes 24 hours. Add shipping time based on your location—domestic shipping within the US is usually 2-3 days, so you can have boards in hand within a week of placing an order. Some manufacturers offer expedited shipping for even faster delivery.

Can I design my own barebones PCB?

Absolutely. Use any PCB design software (KiCad, Altium, Eagle, EasyEDA) to create your layout, export Gerber files, and submit to a manufacturer that offers barebones service. The design process is identical to standard PCB design—you’re just choosing a different manufacturing option at order time.

Are barebones PCBs suitable for high-frequency or RF circuits?

For basic prototyping, yes. However, the lack of controlled impedance options and the simplified layer stack may limit performance for demanding RF applications. If you’re working with signals above a few hundred MHz, you might need full-spec boards with proper impedance control and ground planes.

Final Thoughts

Barebones PCBs fill an important niche in the electronics development workflow. They’re not a replacement for properly finished production boards, but they’re invaluable for rapid iteration during the design phase.

The combination of fast turnaround, low cost, and design flexibility makes barebones PCBs a practical choice for prototype validation, educational projects, and DIY builds. The trade-offs—no solder mask, no silkscreen, limited layer options—are minor compared to the benefit of having working boards in your hands days instead of weeks after placing an order.

If you haven’t tried barebones PCBs in your prototyping workflow, I’d encourage you to give them a shot on your next project. The speed advantage alone might change how you approach design iteration.