Rigid PCB Manufacturing

Q: Are rigid PCBs suitable for aerospace and defense programs?

Yes. Rigid and multilayer boards are standard in avionics, radar, and mission systems. AdvancedPCB supports these programs with ITAR registration, AS9100D and MIL-PRF-31032 certification, CMMC Level 2, and IPC-6012 Class 3 fabrication.

Q: How do I choose between single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer PCBs?

Start with circuit complexity. Single-sided boards suit simple, low-density circuits. Double-sided boards add routing room and component space. Multilayer boards are the right choice when a design needs dense routing, fine-pitch BGAs, controlled impedance, or dedicated power and ground planes.

Q: How many layers can a rigid PCB have?

Rigid PCBs range from one copper layer to high-layer-count builds. Current maximum layer counts by facility are listed on our Manufacturing Capabilities page .

Q: What files do I need to request a rigid PCB quote?

Send Gerber or ODB++ files, an NC drill file, and a fabrication drawing that lists the stackup, material, finish, copper weight, IPC class, and quantity. Our engineers will flag any DFM questions during the quote review. Quote online here.

Q: What is the difference between a rigid PCB and a flex PCB?

A rigid PCB is built on a stiff substrate such as FR-4 and cannot bend. A flex PCB uses a thin, flexible material such as polyimide so the circuit can fold or move in use. Rigid-flex boards combine both in one assembly.

Q: What materials are rigid PCBs made from?

Most rigid PCBs use FR-4, a woven fiberglass and epoxy laminate. High-Tg FR-4, low-loss laminates, and Rogers or PTFE materials are used when a design needs higher thermal performance, better signal integrity, or RF performance.

Single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer rigid printed circuit boards built in the U.S. for prototype and production programs.

This page explains AdvancedPCB's rigid PCB manufacturing capabilities and helps engineers and buyers choose the right rigid board construction for a design. Below, we cover what a rigid PCB is, the three main rigid PCB types (single-layer and single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer), a side-by-side comparison, where to find our manufacturing capabilities, laminate materials and surface finishes, the industries we serve, and answers to common rigid PCB questions.

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CMMC Level 2

AS9100D

IPC-6012 Class 3

ISO 9001:2015

ITAR Registered

MIL-PRF-31032

What Is a Rigid PCB?

A rigid PCB is a printed circuit board built on a solid, inflexible substrate, most often FR-4 glass-reinforced epoxy laminate, that holds its shape for the life of the product. Copper conductors are etched onto one or more layers of that substrate, then protected with solder mask and identified with a silkscreen legend.

Rigid boards are the most widely used PCB construction because they offer predictable mechanical stability, straightforward assembly, and a mature material supply chain. When a design needs to bend or fold in use, flex or rigid-flex construction is the better fit. When it needs to stay flat and dimensionally stable, rigid is the default.

Types of Rigid PCBs

Rigid PCBs are grouped by how many copper layers they carry and how those layers connect. The right type depends on circuit complexity, component density, signal requirements, and budget.

Single-Sided PCBs

One copper layer on one side of the substrate, with all routing on that side. The lowest-cost rigid construction for simple, low-density circuits.

Explore Single-Sided PCBs

Double-Sided PCBs

Copper on both sides of the substrate, connected through plated through holes. More routing area and component space without the cost of a multilayer stackup.

Explore Double-Sided PCBs

Multilayer PCBs

Three or more copper layers laminated together with core and prepreg materials. Supports high component density, controlled impedance, and dedicated power and ground planes.

Explore Multilayer PCBs

Designs that require microvias, via-in-pad, or multiple sequential lamination cycles move into HDI territory. Learn more about our HDI PCBs.

Single-Sided vs Double-Sided vs Multilayer PCBS

	Single-Sided	Double-Sided	Multilayer
Copper Layers	1	2	3 or more
Layer Interconnect	None	Plated through holes	Plated through holes, blind and buried vias
Routing Density	Low	Moderate	High
Component Placement	One side	Both sides	Both sides
Power and Ground Planes	No	Limited	Dedicated internal planes
Relative Cost	Lowest	Low to moderate	Moderate to high; rises with layer count
Typical Applications	Power supplies, LED lighting, simple controls	Industrial controls, automotive modules, instrumentation	Aerospace and defense, medical, data center, telecom

Rigid PCB Capabilities

Detailed specifications for rigid PCBs, including board thickness, copper weights, trace and space, drilling, and impedance tolerances, are listed on our Manufacturing Capabilities page. Capabilities can be viewed by facility.

View Manufacturing Capabilities

Laminate Materials

Standard FR-4 for multi-purpose rigid boards
High-Tg FR-4 for lead-free assembly and elevated operating temperatures
Halogen-free laminates
Low-loss and high-speed laminates for signal integrity
Rogers and PTFE materials for RF and microwave designs
Hybrid constructions combining FR-4 and RF laminates

Learn more about laminates >

Surface Finishes

ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold)
ENEPIG (Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium Immersion Gold)
HASL and lead-free HASL
Immersion silver and tin
OSP
Hard gold for edge connectors

Industries We Serve

Aerospace & Defense

High-reliability PCBs for mission-critical aerospace, defense and space applications.

AI, Data Centers & High-Speed Computing

High-performance PCBs for AI, servers, storage and high-speed computing infrastructure.

Industrial & Robotics

Reliable PCBs for robotics, automation, industrial controls and intelligent machines.

Medical Technologies

Precision PCBs for diagnostic, monitoring, imaging and advanced medical technologies.

Telecommunications & Networks

High-speed, high-frequency PCBs for wireless, optical and network infrastructure.

Automotive & Advanced Mobility

Advanced PCBs for EVs, autonomous vehicles, eVTOL and intelligent transportation.

Why Engineers Choose AdvancedPCB for Rigid PCBs

Six U.S. Manufacturing Facilities

AdvancedPCB operates facilities in Aurora, CO; Chandler, AZ; Santa Clara, CA; Anaheim, CA; Orange County, CA; and Maple Grove, MN. That footprint gives customers capacity, redundancy, and domestic supply for regulated programs.

Prototype to Production

Quick-turn prototypes move into volume production without changing suppliers or requalifying a new fabricator. The same engineering team supports the design from first article through recurring orders.

DFM and Stackup Engineering

Our engineers review files for manufacturability before fabrication begins. Stackup and impedance modeling is available for multilayer and controlled impedance designs.

Defense-Ready Quality

AdvancedPCB is ITAR registered and certified to AS9100D, ISO 9001:2015, and MIL-PRF-31032, with CMMC Level 2 certification. Boards are built and inspected to IPC-6012 Class 2 or Class 3.