How to Order PCBWay Projects Online: PCB Instant Quote, Shared Projects

User question

how to order PCBWay projects online

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

To order a PCBWay project online, you normally use one of two workflows:

1. Order an existing PCBWay Community / Shared Project
   Search the project, click Add to Cart, choose Only PCB or PCB + Assembly, verify the parameters, then pay after PCBWay review.

2. Order your own PCB design
   Go to PCB Instant Quote, enter PCB parameters or use Quick-order PCB, upload Gerber files, optionally upload BOM and centroid files for assembly, wait for engineering review, then pay.

PCBWay’s current ordering flow includes Calculate → Save to Cart → upload files → engineering review → Awaiting Payment → checkout. PCBWay states that standard PCB orders are typically reviewed in about 5–10 minutes, excluding SMT, advanced PCB, and special orders. (pcbway.com)

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Detailed problem analysis

1. If you want to order an existing PCBWay Shared Project

This is the easiest method if someone has already published the design on PCBWay Community.

Step-by-step process

1. Go to PCBWay Community / Shared Projects

   • Search by project name, category, or keyword.
   • Open the project page.

2. Read the project notes carefully

   • Check the designer’s instructions.
   • Look for required board thickness, copper weight, solder mask color, edge connector finish, castellated holes, gold fingers, impedance control, etc.
   • Do not rely only on the pictures. PCBWay notes that project images are for reference; the actual board is manufactured from the production files on the project page. (pcbway.com)

3. Choose the correct service

   • Only PCB: you receive bare boards only.
   • PCB + Assembly: PCBWay fabricates the board, sources components, and assembles the board, if assembly files are available.

   PCBWay’s current guidance says shared projects can offer both Only PCB and PCB + Assembly, and you should select the correct option before ordering. (pcbway.com)

4. Click Add to Cart

   • PCBWay’s Shared Projects guide says open-source project PCBs can be ordered by clicking Add to Cart and setting customized parameters. (pcbway.com)

5. Verify PCB parameters Check at least:

   • Quantity
   • PCB thickness
   • Number of layers
   • Board color
   • Surface finish: HASL, lead-free HASL, ENIG, etc.
   • Copper weight
   • Special requirements such as gold fingers, impedance control, slots, or panelization

6. Check whether the project needs multiple PCBs This is important. PCBWay states that the Community currently allows only one Gerber file set per project page, so projects containing multiple different PCBs may be split across several project pages. If you need a complete kit, make sure you add every required PCB to your cart. (pcbway.com)

7. Wait for PCBWay review

   • The order may enter an Under Review or similar status.
   • After approval, it moves to Awaiting Payment or Pass, Payment.

8. Before payment, verify the final production preview PCBWay recommends checking the final production files before completing payment. For PCB orders, use the order page preview/thumbnail view where available. For assembly orders, review the BOM quotation sent by PCBWay or your sales representative. (pcbway.com)

9. Checkout

   • Add or select your shipping address.
   • Choose courier/shipping method.
   • Apply coupons if available.
   • Select payment method.
   • Pay.

10. Track fabrication and shipment

    • After payment, PCBWay starts manufacturing.
    • Track order status in your PCBWay account.

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2. If you want to order your own PCB design

Use this method if you designed the PCB in KiCad, Altium, EasyEDA, Eagle, Fusion, Proteus, or another EDA tool.

Files you normally need

For PCB fabrication only, prepare:

• Gerber files
• NC drill files
• Board outline layer
• Optional readme or fabrication drawing for special notes

Usually these files are zipped into one archive.

For PCB assembly, also prepare:

• BOM: Bill of Materials
  Includes designators, quantity, value, package, manufacturer part number, and supplier part number if possible.

• Centroid / CPL / Pick-and-place file
  Includes reference designator, X/Y position, rotation, and component side.

• Optional assembly drawing, polarity notes, test instructions, firmware notes, or special soldering instructions.

PCBWay’s official ordering guide states that if Assembly Service is selected, you need to upload the Gerber file, BOM file, and centroid file; other assembly-related documents can be uploaded under assembly other files. (pcbway.com)

Step-by-step process

1. Open PCB Instant Quote

   • Select PCB as the service type.
   • If you need assembly, enable Assembly Service.

2. Enter PCB parameters Typical parameters include:

   Parameter	Typical prototype value	Engineering note
   Layers	2 layers	Most hobby and simple commercial boards
   Thickness	1.6 mm	Standard FR-4 thickness
   Copper	1 oz	Standard external copper
   Solder mask	Green	Usually lowest cost and most reliable
   Silkscreen	White	Standard with green solder mask
   Surface finish	HASL / lead-free HASL / ENIG	ENIG is better for fine-pitch ICs, BGAs, edge connectors
   Quantity	5 or 10 pcs	Common prototype quantity

3. Alternatively use Quick-order PCB PCBWay’s current help page says Quick-order PCB lets you upload the Gerber file first and automatically detects parameters to simplify ordering. (pcbway.com)

4. Click Calculate

   • PCBWay calculates the manufacturing price based on your board size, layers, quantity, and process options.

5. Select build time and shipping method

   • Faster build time costs more.
   • Express shipping is faster but more expensive.

6. Save to Cart PCBWay’s flow is to calculate the quote, choose build/shipping options, and then Save to Cart. (pcbway.com)

7. Log in or create a PCBWay account

8. Upload files

   • If you did not already upload Gerbers through Quick-order, upload them from the cart/order page.
   • For assembly, upload Gerber, BOM, centroid, and any extra assembly files.

9. Wait for engineering review PCBWay’s help page says uploaded orders go through audit/review, and normal PCB reviews are typically completed in 5–10 minutes, excluding SMT, advanced PCB, and special orders. (pcbway.com)

10. Resolve engineering questions if any PCBWay may ask about:

    • Missing board outline
    • Incorrect layer count
    • Ambiguous drill files
    • Slot/plated slot clarification
    • Trace/space below capability
    • Missing BOM data
    • Component polarity or rotation
    • Unavailable components for assembly

11. Pay only after the order passes review Once the status changes to Awaiting Payment or Pass, Payment, proceed to checkout and payment. (pcbway.com)

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Current information and trends

As of PCBWay’s current 2026 help information:

• PCBWay supports Quick-order PCB, where you upload Gerbers and the system detects some order parameters automatically. (pcbway.com)
• If you choose assembly, PCBWay requires BOM and centroid / pick-and-place files in addition to fabrication files. (pcbway.com)
• PCBWay says assembly service does not require you to separately order an SMD stencil, because they provide it for assembly. (pcbway.com)
• For Shared Projects, PCBWay recently emphasized that images are only references, parameters are the customer’s responsibility, and multi-board projects may require ordering from multiple project pages. (pcbway.com)

From an engineering standpoint, the trend in online PCB ordering is toward:

• Automatic Gerber parsing
• Online DFM checking
• Integrated PCB + assembly quoting
• BOM-based component sourcing
• Shared/open-source hardware ordering
• More automated production-file previews before payment

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Supporting explanations and details

Important difference: “PCB only” vs “PCB + Assembly”

Option	What you receive	What you must do yourself
Only PCB	Bare printed circuit boards	Buy components, solder components, test board
PCB + Assembly	Assembled PCB, depending on project/files	Possibly program firmware, final test, enclosure assembly

If you are new to electronics and the board uses many small SMD parts, PCB + Assembly is usually easier. If the board uses large through-hole parts or you want to save money, Only PCB may be enough.

Surface finish guidance

• HASL: low cost, good for many through-hole and general prototypes.
• Lead-free HASL: RoHS-friendly version.
• ENIG: flatter finish, better for fine-pitch ICs, QFN, BGA, edge connectors, and long shelf life.
• Gold fingers: needed for card-edge connectors, but must be specified correctly.

Common beginner mistakes

• Ordering the shared project as Only PCB when you expected a fully assembled board.
• Forgetting that a project may need several different PCBs.
• Leaving board thickness at 1.6 mm when the project requires 0.8 mm or 1.0 mm.
• Not selecting ENIG/gold fingers for edge connector projects.
• Uploading incomplete Gerbers without drill files.
• Supplying a BOM without exact manufacturer part numbers.
• Missing polarity marks for diodes, electrolytic capacitors, LEDs, ICs, and connectors.

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Practical guidelines

Before you place the order, use this checklist.

For a Shared Project

• [ ] Read the project description.
• [ ] Check whether it is Only PCB or PCB + Assembly.
• [ ] Verify thickness, finish, color, and quantity.
• [ ] Check whether more than one PCB page must be ordered.
• [ ] Confirm that the project is actually suitable for your application.
• [ ] Review production preview before payment.
• [ ] For assembly, review the BOM quotation carefully.

For Your Own Design

• [ ] Run DRC in your EDA software.
• [ ] Export Gerber and drill files.
• [ ] Open the Gerbers in an independent viewer.
• [ ] Confirm board outline is present.
• [ ] Confirm all holes, slots, and cutouts appear correctly.
• [ ] Confirm solder mask openings.
• [ ] Confirm silkscreen is readable and not over pads.
• [ ] For assembly, check BOM and centroid file.
• [ ] Mark pin 1 and polarity on the PCB.
• [ ] Wait for PCBWay engineering review before paying.

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Possible disclaimers or additional notes

PCBWay Community projects are uploaded and maintained by individual designers; they are not necessarily official PCBWay products. PCBWay specifically recommends reviewing the project’s functionality and feasibility before ordering. (pcbway.com)

Also, once an order is paid, changes become more difficult. PCBWay’s older placing-order guidance notes that after payment, address and order details generally cannot be changed through the normal flow, although you may contact your sales representative for help. (pcbway.com)

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Brief summary

To order from PCBWay:

1. For a shared project: open the project, read notes, choose Only PCB or PCB + Assembly, add to cart, verify parameters, wait for review, then pay.
2. For your own design: use PCB Instant Quote or Quick-order PCB, upload Gerbers, add BOM/centroid for assembly, wait for engineering review, then checkout.
3. Always verify thickness, surface finish, quantity, and whether the project needs multiple PCBs before payment.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.