PCB & PCBA Manufacturer
Flexible PCB Board – Flex Circuit PCB Supplier
A flexible PCB board (also known as a flex circuit or FPC) is a printed circuit board made from thin polyimide material that can bend, fold, and twist – unlike rigid FR4 boards that crack under stress.
As a flex circuit PCB supplier, we specialize in manufacturing custom flexible PCBs for customers worldwide. From simple 1-layer flex circuits for wearables to complex 6-layer FPCs for medical devices and aerospace applications, we build to your exact specifications.
What is a Flexible PCB Board?
| Feature | Rigid PCB | Flexible PCB Board (FPC) |
|---|---|---|
| Base material | FR4 (glass epoxy) | Polyimide (Kapton) |
| Thickness | 0.6mm – 2.4mm | 0.1mm – 0.4mm |
| Bendability | None – cracks if bent | Yes – designed to bend |
| Copper type | ED copper (standard) | RA copper (rolled annealed) |
| Surface protection | Solder mask | Coverlay (polyimide film) |
| Weight | Heavier | Very lightweight |
Why Choose a Flex Circuit PCB Supplier?
| Aspect | General PCB Supplier | Specialized Flex Supplier (Us) |
|---|---|---|
| Core competency | Rigid PCB | Flexible PCB (FPC) |
| RA copper | Sometimes (upcharge) | Standard – always included |
| Bend radius expertise | Limited | Deep expertise – DFM included |
| Coverlay knowledge | May confuse with solder mask | Coverlay standard for flex |
| Stiffener design | Limited options | FR4, polyimide, metal |
| Dynamic flex experience | Limited | Extensive – thousands of cycles |
| Engineering support | Basic | Specialized flex DFM review |
What We Offer as Your Flex Circuit PCB Supplier
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Custom layer stackup | 1 to 6 layers (8 on request) – any arrangement |
| Board thickness | 0.1mm to 0.4mm (up to 0.6mm with stiffeners) |
| Copper type | RA copper standard – rolled annealed |
| Copper weight | 0.5 oz or 1 oz – your choice |
| Min trace width/spacing | 3 mil / 3 mil (0.075mm) – 2 mil available |
| Coverlay | Polyimide – yellow, black, or white |
| Stiffeners | FR4, polyimide, metal (aluminum, steel) |
| PSA adhesive backing | 3M or equivalent – for mounting |
| EMI shielding | Silver ink, copper layer, shielding film |
| Surface finish | ENIG (preferred), HASL, Immersion Silver, OSP |
Flexible PCB Board – Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Our Capability |
|---|---|
| Layer count | 1 to 6 layers (8 on request) |
| Board thickness (no stiffener) | 0.1mm to 0.4mm |
| Board thickness (with stiffener) | 0.2mm to 0.6mm |
| Copper weight | 0.5 oz or 1 oz |
| Copper type | RA copper standard |
| Min trace width/spacing | 3 mil / 3 mil (2 mil available) |
| Min drill size (mechanical) | 0.15mm |
| Min drill size (laser) | 0.10mm (microvia) |
| Min coverlay opening | 0.2mm |
| Max board size | 250mm x 600mm |
| Stiffener thickness | 0.05mm to 0.5mm |
| Stiffener materials | FR4, polyimide, aluminum, steel |
| Surface finishes | ENIG, HASL, Immersion Silver, OSP, Hard Gold |
| Coverlay colors | Yellow, black, white |
Flexible PCB Board – Key Benefits
| Benefit | How Flexible PCB Delivers |
|---|---|
| Saves space | Folds into 3D shapes – replaces multiple rigid boards |
| Reduces weight | Thin polyimide construction – no heavy connectors |
| Eliminates connectors | One continuous board instead of rigid + cable + rigid |
| Dynamic flexing | Withstands thousands of bend cycles (hinges, moving parts) |
| Higher reliability | Fewer interconnects = fewer failure points |
| Lower assembly cost | One board instead of multiple PCBs + cables + connectors |
Applications for Flexible PCB Board
| Industry | Typical Applications | Why Flex is Required |
|---|---|---|
| Wearables | Smartwatches, fitness bands, hearing aids | Conforms to body, thin, lightweight |
| Medical | Endoscopes, patient monitors, sensors | High reliability, small size |
| Consumer | Smartphones, foldable phones, cameras | Fits tight spaces, dynamic flex |
| Automotive | Sensors, lighting, battery management | Vibration resistance, tight spaces |
| Industrial | Robotics, sensors, dynamic cabling | Dynamic flexing, rugged |
| Aerospace | Avionics, satellite harnesses | Lightweight, high reliability |
| Defense | Portable radios, ruggedized equipment | MIL-spec, shock/vibration resistance |
Flexible PCB Board vs. Rigid PCB – Comparison
| Feature | Rigid PCB | Flexible PCB Board |
|---|---|---|
| Base material | FR4 | Polyimide (Kapton) |
| Thickness | 0.6-2.4mm | 0.1-0.4mm |
| Bendability | None | Yes |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Copper type | ED copper | RA copper |
| Surface protection | Solder mask | Coverlay |
| Connectors needed for multiple sections | Yes | No (flex connects sections) |
| 3D packaging capability | No | Yes |
| Typical lead time (prototype) | 3-7 days | 7-10 days |
| Typical cost (per board) | Lower | Higher |
Why Choose Us as Your Flex Circuit PCB Supplier?
| Feature | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Specialized flex manufacturer | Flex is our core competency, not an afterthought |
| RA copper standard | No upcharge – always included |
| Free DFM review | Flex-specific check (bend radius, vias, coverlay) |
| No MOQ for prototypes | Order as few as 5 pieces |
| Fast turnaround | Prototypes in 7-10 days |
| Any layer count | 1 to 6 layers (8 on request) |
| Full traceability | Lot-level tracking for quality |
| Engineering support | Bend radius, stackup, material selection |
| ISO9001 & UL certified | Quality guaranteed |
Order Process for Flexible PCB Board
Send your design files – Gerber RS-274-X preferred
Free DFM review – we verify bend radius, vias, coverlay, stackup (24 hours)
Receive quotation – within 24 hours
First article (recommended) – 5-20 pieces for validation
Production – built to your specifications
100% electrical test – including flex continuity
Secure shipping – worldwide delivery
New to flexible PCB? We recommend starting with a prototype (5-10 pieces) to validate your design before mass production. Free DFM review included.
