Frequently Asked Questions

What is this all about?

Pad2Pad makes designing and ordering customer printed circuit boards a breeze! Pad2Pad is a remarkable service that gives you the power to make one or 100,000 PCBs. Pad2Pad provides free design software you download. The software checks your board and computes a price instantly. You can conveniently place your order online.

 Is the software easy to learn?

Yes, we designed the software from the ground up to be easy to use both for professional PCB designers and for amateurs. Informative messages and the real-time visualization will guide you along. In case of any questions we are ready to help you.

What if I am a novice in PCB design?

The Pad2Pad intelligent software automatically locates errors in your design at the click of a button. You don't have to be a professional and you don't have to wait hours or even days for a specialist to review your job.

I don't want to learn another CAD program...

If you are familiar with a popular CAD program it's understandable why you might not want to learn another. However the Pad2Pad program is much easier to learn than most. It's common for users to draw their first board in less than an hour! Spend a few minutes to discover a remarkably powerful new way to design and order custom boards. You'll be glad you did!

Can you assemble boards with components?

Yes, we now offer boards with assembled components from our stocked parts. See the software download for the current list. 

Can you help with engineering and design problems?

Occasionally we will give some design oriented feedback after receiving an order but we don't get involved in design engineering normally.

How are your prices?

Prices are low because: the software performs many of the functions normally performed by people; our processes are highly efficient; and due to our processing volume. Our savings are passed on to you whether you order one board or one million.

How much does it cost?

The cost depends on board area, number of holes, layers used, etc. You can download the software and draw a "dummy" board to get approximate pricing quickly.

Can I get pricing variations?

Yes, by giving you pricing immediately you can try as many design changes as you wish to optimize your price.

What payment methods do you support?

Pad2Pad accepts all major credit cards, checks and money orders.

Does your system provide lead time information?

Yes, the software provides manufacturing time and price at the click of a button. Also you may track status of your orders on the site.

Can I cancel my order?

Once your order is placed, we immediately start manufacturing, especially for quick turn orders. Most often we cannot cancel your order unless you inform us immediately after placement. A cancellation may incur charges.

Do you only support Windows?

Yes.

What type of documentation is provided?

Pad2Pad includes easy-to-read on-line help, which you can also print.

Will you keep my design confidential?

We respect your privacy and address confidentiality in the license agreement.

Do I have to be online when designing?

No - you can use the software offline to design your boards. You will need to connect to the Internet only to place your orders and to get the latest pricing file.

What are your business hours?

Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST.

Which third-party file formats are supported for custom manufacturing?

Pad2Pad supports Gerber 274X format. To get a custom quote please send us your file.

See also:

Manufacturing FAQ

Technical FAQ