PCB manufacturer capability comparison
Question this page answers
How do I compare PCB manufacturer capabilities fairly?
How to compare PCB factory capability tables without mixing product series, advertised maximums and subcontracted processes into one misleading number.
The mistake to avoid
A single “maximum capability” cell is usually assembled from the best number a factory has ever published for each parameter. Those numbers rarely belong to the same process. An advertised 40-layer test board and a 3 mil line width on a different product line cannot be ordered together.
Compare per product series
Build your comparison table around the board you actually need. For each supplier, record:
| Dimension | What to write down |
|---|---|
| Layer range | The range for this series, with its source |
| Line width and spacing | Minimum for this series, not the company best |
| Drill and via | Mechanical versus laser, and aspect ratio |
| Materials | Named laminate systems qualified for this series |
| Impedance | Target tolerance and how it is verified |
| Certification | File number, holder name and site address |
| Subcontracting | Steps performed outside the factory |
Give each cell a source and a date
A number with no source cannot be audited. On ChinaPCB profiles, capability claims carry an evidence level — official sources reviewed, manufacturer reported, independently reviewed or unclaimed — plus the date of the last check. Treat a manufacturer-reported figure as a starting point for questions, not as a qualification.
High layer count is a separate question
For very high layer counts, ask for the stack-up drawing, the lamination cycle and a reference build, and confirm which production line runs it. Quick-turn prototype capability and stable volume yield are different things.
Sources and review
The public registries and certification databases named on this page are the primary sources we use. Every fact on a ChinaPCB factory profile is accompanied by its source and the date it was last checked. Where a claim could not be checked, the field is left unconfirmed instead of being filled with an estimate.
Related
About the author
ChinaPCB Editorial. ChinaPCB.org is an editorial directory operated by Weis Technology Co., Ltd.. Its operating entity and correction channel are published openly, and every factual claim on a factory profile carries an evidence level and review date.