How to Select PCB Surface Finish

If your project requires a specific PCB Surface Finish, you can select it during the online quote process. This page explains both where to choose the Surface Finish in the quote form and how to decide which finish is more suitable for your PCB application.

Quick Summary

  1. Open the PCB online quote page.
  2. Select the required PCB Layers first.
  3. Go to the PCB Basic Specification section.
  4. Open the Surface Finish dropdown menu.
  5. Select the Surface Finish option that matches your requirement.
  6. Continue the quote process with the selected finish.
Important: PCB Surface Finish is selected in the PCB Basic Specification section through the Surface Finish dropdown menu.

How to Choose the Right PCB Surface Finish

Selecting PCB Surface Finish is not only a form operation. It is also an engineering decision. The correct finish should be based on the actual assembly and application requirement.

  • Assembly Method: through-hole, standard SMT, fine-pitch SMT, BGA, or CSP
  • Pad Flatness Requirement: some fine-pitch parts need flatter pads than HASL can provide
  • Reliability Target: storage condition, handling control, and assembly requirement matter
  • Contact Wear Requirement: edge contacts and gold fingers usually need Hard Gold
  • Wire-Bond Requirement: some bonding applications may require ENEPIG
  • Compliance Requirement: lead-free or RoHS requirement may affect your finish choice
  • Cost Target: the best finish is the one that fits the job, not simply the most expensive one
Important: If the customer drawing, assembly requirement, or project specification already defines the finish, that requirement should be followed first.

Step 1: Open the PCB Online Quote Page

Start from our PCB online quote page:

Open PCB Quote Page

This is where you begin entering the PCB specification before moving to pricing.

Step 2: Select the PCB Layers First

Before choosing the Surface Finish, please select the required PCB Layers. The Surface Finish option appears in the PCB specification area after the basic board setup begins.

Note: Select the board layer count first, then choose the Surface Finish option.

Step 3: Find “Surface Finish” in PCB Basic Specification

After selecting the PCB layers, go to the PCB Basic Specification section. In that area, find the field labeled Surface Finish.

This is where you select the finish process that matches your PCB requirement.

Step 4: Open the Surface Finish Dropdown Menu and Choose the Required Option

Click the dropdown menu on the right side of Surface Finish and choose the option that best matches your project requirement.

Surface Finish dropdown menu showing PCB finish options in PCB quotation form
Screenshot example: open the Surface Finish dropdown menu and choose the finish option that matches your PCB requirement.
Note: The default option is usually HASL - Hot Air Solder Leveling, but other finish options may be available depending on your project requirement.

Step 5: Continue the Quote Process

After selecting the required Surface Finish, continue filling in the remaining PCB specifications and proceed with the normal quote process.

Please confirm: the selected finish is shown in the Surface Finish field before you continue.

Common PCB Surface Finish Options

The Surface Finish dropdown menu may include options such as:

  • HASL - Hot Air Solder Leveling
  • RoHS Lead Free HASL
  • RoHS Electroless Nickel / Immersion Gold (ENIG)
  • ENEPIG (if available for the project)
  • RoHS Immersion Silver
  • Immersion Tin (if available for the project)
  • RoHS OSP - Organic Solderability Preservatives
  • Hard Gold for edge contacts or special wear surfaces

Please choose the option that matches your design, assembly, reliability, compliance, and contact-use requirement.

Best Surface Finish by Application

The following table is a practical selection guide for common engineering situations.

Application or Requirement Recommended Finish
General low-cost PCB project HASL or Lead Free HASL
Fine-pitch SMT, 0.4 mm BGA, CSP, flat pad requirement ENIG or ENEPIG
RF / high-frequency / controlled impedance projects ENIG or Immersion Silver
Wire-bond requirement ENEPIG
Edge fingers, card edge contacts, repeated insertion wear Hard Gold
Cost-sensitive SMT project with flat pad preference OSP
Fine-pitch SMT in suitable controlled process Immersion Tin
Note: This is a general selection guide. Final finish selection should still follow the customer drawing, component requirement, assembly method, and your actual project specification.

Quick Surface Finish Recommendation Table

If You Need Usually Consider Reason
Lower cost general PCB HASL / Lead Free HASL Widely used and economical for general applications
Flatter SMT pads ENIG / OSP / Immersion Silver / Immersion Tin These finishes are flatter than HASL in general use
Fine-pitch BGA or CSP ENIG / ENEPIG Better flatness and advanced assembly compatibility
Wire-bond compatibility ENEPIG Suitable for advanced bonding-related applications
Wear-resistant contact pads Hard Gold Better for repeated contact and insertion wear
RF signal related project ENIG / Immersion Silver Commonly considered for flat surface and suitable electrical performance

PCB Surface Finish Selection Summary

Stage What to Do
Quote setup Open the PCB online quote page
Layer selection Select the required PCB Layers
Specification section Go to PCB Basic Specification
Finish selection Open the Surface Finish dropdown menu
Engineering check Confirm the finish matches assembly, reliability, and compliance requirement
Continue quote Proceed with the remaining PCB quote steps

Need Help?

If you are not sure which PCB Surface Finish is suitable for your order, please contact us before placing the quote or order.

Contact Support Start PCB Quote
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