#Electronics Guide to Etching at Home - By splud

<splud> Lay out PCB in EDA, print mirror image to transfer paper (using laser printer), ensure copperplate is clean, apply transfer paper to face of copper, iron on, peel transfer paper away from PCB.  Put PCB into container with your etchant of choice (I use cupric chloride, but have Ferric Chloride too - cupric is just so much nicer to use, refreshable, and more easily neutralized if you need to dispose).  After etch complete, extract PCB, rinse,
<splud> then wipe off solder mask with some acetone.
<splud> Optionally, make up a batch of tinning solution and immerse the PCB in that for several minutes.
<splud> Both etchant and tinning solution work more rapidly if the solutions are warm.