Blog

PCB design, for makers

Tutorials, honest tool talk, and notes from building Protoboard Designer.

How to Design and Order Your First PCB — a Beginner's Walkthrough

The complete path from empty canvas to a padded envelope of real boards: layout, DRC, Gerber export, and exactly which options to pick on the fab's order page.

July 8, 2026 · 8 min read

How to Etch a PCB at Home from a PDF Mask

No fab, no waiting. Print a mirrored toner-transfer mask or a UV exposure mask straight from your layout and etch a working board on your kitchen table.

July 8, 2026 · 7 min read

KiCad vs Protoboard Designer: Which One for Your First Board?

An honest comparison — including the cases where KiCad is clearly the right answer, and the ones where a lightweight WYSIWYG editor gets you to a finished board faster.

July 8, 2026 · 6 min read