hi,
while scanning and reading through the forum, i noticed that the iron-on method of laying out traces on the copper surface is a good approach prior to etching (for as long as the printer is laser).
perhaps, it is not only the traces which can be iron transferred to the pcb, but reference designation as well.
i haven't tested it, but by just imagining the results, i guess it would work out.
by printing the ref des layer from any cad software in "mirror image", ironing that area on the corresponding surface would eventually cause the reference designation to appear on that area. conformal coating may be applied to protect that surface...
while scanning and reading through the forum, i noticed that the iron-on method of laying out traces on the copper surface is a good approach prior to etching (for as long as the printer is laser).
perhaps, it is not only the traces which can be iron transferred to the pcb, but reference designation as well.
i haven't tested it, but by just imagining the results, i guess it would work out.
by printing the ref des layer from any cad software in "mirror image", ironing that area on the corresponding surface would eventually cause the reference designation to appear on that area. conformal coating may be applied to protect that surface...