Pink PCB: Custom Color Options for Unique Projects

When a client first asked me about ordering boards in pink, I’ll admit I was skeptical. But after seeing the finished product—a custom controller board for a boutique audio company—I understood why pink PCB has become one of the most requested custom colors in the maker community. It wasn’t just about standing out; it was about creating something that matched their brand identity perfectly.

If you’re considering pink solder mask for your next project, this guide covers everything from where to source it, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for your specific application.

What is a Pink PCB?

A pink PCB is a printed circuit board with a pink-colored solder mask applied to its surface. The manufacturing process is identical to standard green boards—the only difference is the pigment used in the liquid photo-imageable (LPI) solder mask. Some manufacturers call their specific shade “Sakura Pink” (referencing Japanese cherry blossoms), while others simply offer “pink” as a custom color option.

Functionally, pink solder mask performs identically to green, blue, or any other color. You get the same protection against oxidation, the same prevention of solder bridges, and the same electrical insulation properties. The base epoxy formulation meets the same thermal and chemical resistance standards as traditional solder masks.

Pink PCB has gained significant traction over the past few years, driven largely by maker community demand and brand differentiation needs. PCBWay, JLCPCB, and other major fabricators added pink to their color offerings specifically because customers kept requesting it. The market for specialty colors like pink is growing at roughly 6-7% annually, with particular strength in consumer electronics and IoT applications where visual identity matters.

Why Choose Pink Solder Mask?

Brand Differentiation and Identity

The most compelling reason to choose pink PCB is brand alignment. If your company uses pink in its logo, packaging, or product design, matching your circuit boards to that identity creates a cohesive product experience. Customers opening devices with transparent cases or removable panels notice when every element—including the PCB—reflects consistent branding.

Several boutique electronics companies in the audio, gaming peripheral, and wearable spaces have adopted pink boards specifically for this purpose. The color immediately distinguishes their products from competitors using standard green.

Maker Community and Creative Projects

Pink PCB has become popular among makers, hobbyists, and creative technologists who want their projects to express personality. Open-source hardware projects, art installations, educational kits, and personal projects all benefit from the visual appeal that pink brings.

For gift projects—custom electronics made for friends or family—pink adds a personal touch that standard colors can’t match. Wedding guest counters, baby monitors, and commemorative devices often use pink for obvious reasons.

Product Visibility and Photography

Pink solder mask photographs well, creating eye-catching images for product listings, crowdfunding campaigns, and social media. In a sea of green PCB photos, pink immediately stands out and grabs attention. For makers launching Kickstarter campaigns or selling through Etsy, the visual differentiation can genuinely impact engagement.

Revision Identification

Using distinct colors for different board revisions prevents mix-ups during development. Pink works well as a revision marker—prototype v3 in pink is immediately distinguishable from v2 in blue and v1 in green, reducing the risk of building with outdated boards.

Technical Specifications for Pink PCB

Pink solder mask meets the same performance standards as traditional colors:

The manufacturing process follows standard LPI procedures: the pink solder mask ink is applied via screen printing or spray coating, exposed to UV light through the solder mask layer artwork, developed to remove unexposed areas, and thermally cured. Pigment selection and dispersion are the only differences from standard colors.

Pink PCB vs Standard Colors: Comparison

Pink offers a unique combination of visual appeal and reasonable functionality. While it doesn’t match green’s inspection characteristics, it provides much better trace visibility than black while delivering the distinctive appearance that custom projects require.

Silkscreen Options for Pink PCB

Choosing the right silkscreen color significantly impacts readability on pink boards:

White silkscreen on pink creates excellent contrast and clean readability. The light pink background allows white text and component markings to stand out clearly, making assembly and debugging straightforward. Some designers choose black silkscreen for a bolder aesthetic, though contrast is slightly lower than white.

Where to Order Pink PCB

Not all PCB fabricators offer pink solder mask. Here are manufacturers currently providing this option:

PCBWay

PCBWay added pink to their Advanced PCB options in 2021 after significant customer demand. Pink is available with various silkscreen colors and surface finishes. Expect pricing to be higher than standard colors, and orders go through their Advanced PCB quoting system rather than the standard quick-quote.

JLCPCB

JLCPCB offers pink as a custom color option, though availability may vary. Contact their support team to confirm current availability and pricing for your specific board specifications.

HoYoGo

This manufacturer specifically promotes pink PCB capability and has produced boards ranging from simple 2-layer designs to complex 6-layer ENIG-finish boards. They’ve invested in optimizing their pink solder mask process.

PCBBUY

PCBBUY launched their “Sakura Pink” color option, marketing it as an industry innovation. They support both conventional and special processes with pink solder mask.

Specialty and Custom Fabricators

Many regional fabricators can mix custom colors including pink, though setup fees may apply. Bittele Electronics, PCB Prime, and similar manufacturers offer custom color services with advance ordering requirements.

Cost Considerations for Pink PCB

Pink solder mask typically costs more than standard colors. Here’s what to expect:

Prototype and Small Batch (1-10 boards):

• 15-30% premium over green for same specifications
• Some fabricators charge setup fees of $50-200 for custom colors
• Minimum order quantities may apply (typically 5-10 panels)

Medium Volume (50-500 boards):

• 10-20% premium over green
• Setup fees become less significant per board
• Color consistency becomes a consideration

Production Volume (1,000+ boards):

• Premium drops to 5-15% as volume increases
• Per-unit cost approaches standard colors at high volumes
• Batch-to-batch color consistency requires specification

The cost premium comes from several factors: pink pigments are specialty items not stocked in the same quantities as green, production lines require cleaning between color changes, and lower demand means less optimization of the pink solder mask process.

Lead Time Impact

Expect pink PCB orders to take longer than standard green:

The extended lead time results from material sourcing (fabricators may not keep pink in stock), production scheduling (pink orders may be batched together), and additional quality control for color consistency.

For time-sensitive projects, confirm lead time with your fabricator before committing to pink. Some manufacturers offer expedited service for custom colors at additional cost.

Read 12 types of Solder Mask colors:

Black PCB: Benefits, Drawbacks & Best Applications

Blue PCB: Advantages, Cost & When to Choose Blue Boards

Brown PCB: Understanding Brown Solder Mask Applications

Green PCB: Why It’s the Industry Standard & When to Use It

Matte Black PCB vs Glossy Black: Which Finish is Better?

Matte Green PCB: Finish Options & Professional Look

Orange PCB: Visibility, Safety & Specialty Uses

Pink PCB: Custom Color Options for Unique Projects

Purple PCB: Unique Benefits of Purple Circuit Boards

Red PCB: Is Red Solder Mask Right for Your Project?

White PCB: Complete Guide to White Solder Mask Boards

Yellow PCB: Pros, Cons & Visibility Benefits Explained

Best Applications for Pink PCB

Consumer Electronics with Visible Boards

Products designed with transparent or translucent enclosures—gaming controllers, LED displays, portable devices—benefit from pink’s distinctive appearance. The color creates immediate visual differentiation from competitors.

Boutique and Artisan Electronics

Small-batch audio equipment, custom synthesizers, and handcrafted electronics often use pink to signal craftsmanship and attention to detail. The unusual color suggests intentional design choices throughout.

Crowdfunding and Launch Products

Pink PCB photographs exceptionally well for product launches. Kickstarter campaigns, Indiegogo projects, and product announcement imagery benefit from the visual impact pink provides.

Educational Kits

STEM education kits targeting diverse audiences sometimes use pink to counter the perception that electronics is a male-dominated field. The color choice makes kits more appealing to broader demographics.

Art and Installation Projects

LED art pieces, interactive installations, and decorative electronics frequently use pink for aesthetic purposes. The boards themselves become part of the visual design.

Special Occasion Projects

Custom electronics for weddings, baby showers, and commemorative gifts often use pink for obvious symbolic reasons. One-off projects justify the cost premium through personal significance.

Manufacturing Considerations

Color Consistency

Custom colors like pink can vary between batches. Factors affecting consistency include:

• Pigment lot variations
• Copper density differences across the board (more copper = different shade)
• Curing time and temperature variations
• Different fabricator formulations

For production runs where color matching matters, request sample boards before committing to full volume, and specify color tolerance requirements in your fabrication notes.

Inspection Challenges

Pink solder mask provides moderate trace visibility—better than black or white but not as good as green. For complex boards with fine-pitch components, ensure your assembly partner can inspect pink boards effectively. Most modern AOI systems handle pink well, but confirm compatibility if you’re using older equipment.

Solder Mask Dam Width

Some custom colors require wider solder mask dams between pads than green. While green can achieve 8-mil dams in optimized processes, pink may require 9-10 mils depending on the fabricator’s formulation. Verify minimum dam width requirements before finalizing your design.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pink PCB

Does pink solder mask affect electrical performance?

No. Pink solder mask provides identical electrical performance to green or any other color. Dielectric properties, insulation resistance, and thermal characteristics are determined by the base epoxy formulation, not the pigment. Color choice is purely aesthetic and has no impact on circuit functionality.

Is pink PCB more difficult to manufacture?

Not inherently. The manufacturing process is identical to other colors. However, because pink is produced in lower volumes, fabricators may batch pink orders together or require advance scheduling. This logistical difference—not technical difficulty—is why lead times are longer.

Can I get pink PCB with ENIG, HASL, or other surface finishes?

Yes. Pink solder mask is compatible with all standard surface finishes including HASL, lead-free HASL, ENIG, immersion silver, immersion tin, and OSP. Specify both your solder mask color and surface finish when ordering.

Why is pink PCB more expensive than green?

The cost premium comes from lower production volumes, specialty pigment costs, production line changeover requirements, and reduced process optimization compared to green. As pink becomes more popular, pricing may decrease, but it currently remains a specialty option.

Will the pink color fade over time?

Quality pink solder mask is formulated for UV stability and should not fade under normal operating conditions. However, extended exposure to direct sunlight or extreme UV environments may cause some color shift over years of use—the same is true for any solder mask color.

Useful Resources for Custom Color PCB Projects

Design Software

• KiCad (Free, Open Source): www.kicad.org
• Altium Designer: www.altium.com
• Eagle (Autodesk): www.autodesk.com/products/eagle
• EasyEDA (Free, Web-based): easyeda.com

Industry Standards

• IPC-SM-840: Qualification and Performance Specification for Permanent Solder Mask
• IPC-A-610: Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies
• IPC-2221: Generic Standard on Printed Board Design

PCB Fabrication Services Offering Pink

• PCBWay: pcbway.com – Pink available in Advanced PCB section
• HoYoGo: hoyogo.com – Specializes in custom colors including pink
• PCBBUY: pcbbuy.com – Offers “Sakura Pink” option

Community Resources

• Hackaday.io: Project inspiration and technical discussions
• r/PrintedCircuitBoard: Reddit community for PCB design help
• EEVblog Forum: Electronics engineering discussions

Making Your Decision: Is Pink PCB Right for Your Project?

Pink PCB makes sense when:

• Brand identity or product aesthetics require pink specifically
• Visual differentiation provides genuine value (crowdfunding, retail products)
• The project is personal or commemorative
• You’re willing to accept longer lead times and higher costs
• The board will be visible in the final product

Stick with standard colors if:

• Cost and lead time are primary constraints
• High-volume production requires maximum cost optimization
• Trace inspection is critical and you need the best possible visibility
• Your assembly partner hasn’t confirmed pink compatibility

The pink solder mask market continues to grow as more makers and product designers discover the value of visual differentiation. What started as an unusual request has become a standard offering at major fabricators—a testament to the community’s desire for customization options beyond traditional green.

For projects where appearance matters as much as function, pink PCB delivers something that standard colors simply can’t: a circuit board that looks as intentional and designed as every other element of your product.