Custom Single-Layer Flex Circuit Fabrication
Single-Sided Flexible PCB Manufacturing
Custom single-layer flex circuits for prototype and production orders. PCBELEC manufactures polyimide-based flexible bare boards with defined copper patterns, coverlay openings, local stiffeners and specified contact features.
Send your fabrication package to sales@pcbelec.com
- Circuit Structure One Copper Layer
- Fabrication Features Coverlay, Stiffeners & Contacts
- Order Stages Prototypes to Production
Single-Sided Flex / Single-Layer FPC
What Is a Single-Sided Flexible PCB?
A single-sided flexible PCB has one patterned copper circuit layer supported by a flexible insulating film, commonly polyimide. It is also called a single-layer flex PCB or single-layer FPC.
The copper forms the required traces, pads and contact features on one conductive layer. Protective coverlay insulates designated circuit areas, while openings expose the specified soldering pads and connection contacts.
PCBELEC manufactures this construction as part of our flexible PCB fabrication service, with defined materials, reinforcement and finished interface requirements.
One Conductive Routing Layer
A direct construction when the required connections can be organized on one copper circuit layer.
Defined Flexible Spans
Specify the installed geometry and movement conditions together with the local material construction.
Supported Connection Areas
Add local reinforcement and define the thickness, exposed contacts and geometry needed by the interface.
One Copper Layer / Defined Material Construction
Single-Layer Flex Stackup and Construction
Define the copper, flexible base and protective layers together. The base laminate can be adhesive-based or adhesiveless, while coverlay and local reinforcement add their own construction details.
Illustrative Cross-Section
Adhesive-Based Base Laminate
Illustrative Cross-Section
Adhesiveless Base Laminate
- Circuit copper
- Base film
- Adhesive
- Coverlay film
Coverlay Openings Expose Pads and Contacts
Define the openings that expose the required conductive features. A flexible region does not automatically require removal of its protective layers or exposure of the copper.
Coverlay & Circuit ProtectionLocal Stiffeners Add Support, Not Circuit Layers
Reinforcement can support a contact tail or mounting area. Specify its material, side, outline and bonding details separately from the one-layer copper circuit.
Flex PCB Stiffener GuideDefine Finished Thickness by Region
The flexible span and reinforced contact area can have different finished thicknesses. Identify the measurement locations and included materials in the drawing.
Stiffener Thickness PlanningSingle-Conductor Flex Fabrication Specifications
Single-Layer Flex PCB Manufacturing Capabilities
PCBELEC manufactures single-sided flexible circuits with polyimide base materials, defined copper geometry, protective coverlay and local reinforcement. Specify the finished circuit and interface features in the fabrication package.
- Conductive Structure One Copper Layer
- Maximum Board Size 480 × 4000 mm
- Minimum Board Thickness 0.05 mm ±0.02 mm
Swipe horizontally to view all manufacturing specifications.
| Capability Item | Construction / Process | Manufacturing Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive Layers | Single-sided flexible circuit | One patterned copper layer |
| Base Materials | Polyimide laminate systems | DuPont PI / Shengyi PI |
| Maximum Board Size | Single-sided flexible PCB format | 480 × 4000 mm |
| Minimum Board Thickness | Single-sided flexible construction | 0.05 mm ±0.02 mm |
| Minimum Trace / Space | 1/3 oz or 1/2 oz copper | 0.076 / 0.076 mm |
| Minimum Trace / Space | 1 oz copper | 0.10 / 0.10 mm |
| Minimum CNC-Drilled Hole | Lower-layer-count flex drilling process | 0.20 mm |
| Minimum Slot Width | Machined slot feature | 0.50 mm |
| Coverlay Registration | Protective-film alignment | 0.10 mm registration tolerance |
| Local Reinforcement | Supported contact and mounting regions | PI / FR-4 stiffener construction |
| Surface Finishes | Specified exposed pads and contacts | OSP, HASL, ENIG, flash gold and tin finishes |
| Contact Pitch Tolerance | Adhesive-based FCCL | ±0.05 mm |
| Contact Pitch Tolerance | Adhesiveless FCCL | ±0.03 mm |
| Profile Tolerance | Outline / contour | ±0.05 mm |
| Inspection & Records | Manufactured bare circuits | Circuit inspection, electrical verification and dimensional checks |
Define the Mechanical Use and Connection Features
Bend Regions, Stiffeners and Contact Interfaces
Match the single-layer circuit to the installation and movement requirements. Define the flexible span, supported areas and finished contact geometry as separate parts of the same board.
Static Bend Regions
The circuit is bent into position during installation and remains there during normal operation. Define the final shape and the sequence used to install the circuit.
- Bend location, direction, radius and angle
- Available space and attachment points
- Local material construction and thickness
Dynamic Flex Regions
For circuits that move repeatedly, specify the copper, local thickness and conductor layout together with the motion path and required operating conditions.
- Travel, bend radius and expected cycles
- Copper type and routing through the moving span
- Support boundaries and evaluation requirements
Does the Circuit Need More Than One Copper Layer?
Use single-layer flex when the required connections fit on one conductive layer. If routing or reference requirements call for more layers, explore the corresponding construction rather than adding complexity to the single-layer layout.
Double-Sided Flex PCB
Two copper routing layers with designated plated-through connections between top and bottom features.
Explore Double-Sided FlexMultilayer Flex PCB
Additional conductive layers for designs that require more routing space or defined internal reference structures.
Explore Multilayer FlexFrom Fabrication Data to Finished Flex Circuits
Fabrication Process and Quality Records
PCBELEC combines single-layer circuit fabrication with protective-layer processing, local reinforcement and finished-board verification. Inspection follows the circuit, contact and mechanical requirements defined for the order.
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01 / MATERIALS & PRODUCTION DATA
Prepare the Build
Review the released files and prepare the specified laminate, copper, coverlay data and mechanical-feature definitions.
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02 / SINGLE-LAYER CIRCUITRY
Form the Copper Pattern
Image and etch the copper to form the required traces, pads, conductive areas and contact geometry.
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03 / PROTECTION & LOCAL FEATURES
Add Coverlay, Finish & Support
Form the protective openings, apply the specified pad and contact finish, and produce the reinforcement and mechanical features.
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04 / FINISHED BARE CIRCUITS
Inspect, Test & Package
Complete the required electrical and dimensional checks, prepare the order records and package the finished circuits.
Checks Connected to the Single-Layer Construction
Circuit Patterns & Electrical Connections
Optical inspection examines manufactured copper features. Electrical testing checks continuity and isolation in the circuit network.
Coverlay & Exposed Contacts
Inspect protective-layer openings, alignment, exposed pad areas and visible contact-finish condition.
Profile, Holes & Interface Geometry
Measure the finished outline, mechanical holes, slots and critical contact dimensions against the fabrication drawing.
Reinforcement & Local Thickness
Check stiffener location and the specified thicknesses at reinforced tails, mounting areas and other defined interfaces.
Development Builds to Repeat Manufacturing
Single-Layer Flex Prototypes and Production
PCBELEC manufactures single-sided flexible circuits for engineering evaluation, pilot builds and production orders. Keep the circuit revision, local construction and connection requirements aligned across builds.
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01 / ENGINEERING EVALUATION
Single-Layer Flex Prototypes
Manufacture initial and revised single-layer circuits for your project evaluation, with defined copper, base film, coverlay and local support features.
- Initial designs and circuit revisions
- Specified contact and mechanical geometry
- Evaluation quantities and required records
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02 / PILOT & SMALL-BATCH BUILDS
Low-Volume Flex Orders
Order single-sided flexible boards for pilot runs, early production and ongoing small-batch needs, with the released specification and delivery format defined for each order.
- Pilot runs and small production batches
- Individual circuits or array delivery
- Handling, packaging and inspection needs
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03 / RELEASED DESIGNS
Production & Repeat Orders
Manufacture released single-layer flex designs for production quantities and repeat builds, with consistent materials, protection and interface specifications.
- Released revisions and construction records
- Coverlay, stiffener and contact consistency
- Quantity and delivery planning
Custom Single-Layer Circuit Quotation
Request a Single-Sided Flex PCB Quote
Send your single-layer circuit files, construction details and quantity to PCBELEC. Include the coverlay, reinforcement, contact geometry and finished local thickness requirements.
What Shapes the Fabrication Price?
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Circuit dimensions, order quantity, profile complexity and manufacturing panel utilization.
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Base film, copper thickness, laminate construction and protective layers.
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Line geometry, coverlay openings, mechanical holes, slots and outline tolerances.
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Stiffener arrangement, contact finish and connector-tail thickness requirements.
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Inspection records, delivery format, packaging, destination and requested schedule.
Include These Details with Your Inquiry
Manufacturing File RequirementsCircuit Files & Revision
Copper circuit data, profile, drill information, fabrication drawings and the required revision.
Base Construction & Copper
Base-film grade and thickness, copper specification and adhesive-based or adhesiveless laminate construction.
Coverlay & Stiffeners
Opening data, protective-layer construction, reinforcement material, outline and attachment side.
Contacts & Local Thickness
Contact finish, connector reference, exposed dimensions and finished thickness at reinforced interfaces.
Use Conditions & Inspection
Installed geometry, movement requirements, critical tolerances and requested verification records.
Quantity & Delivery
Prototype or production quantity, individual circuit or array format, packaging, destination and target date.
Single-Layer Flexible Circuit Questions
Single-Sided Flex PCB FAQ
Answers about one-layer construction, materials, thickness, bending requirements and manufacturing inquiries.
Discuss your next single-layer flex build:
sales@pcbelec.comIs single-sided flex the same as single-layer FPC?
Yes. Single-sided flex PCB, single-layer flexible PCB and single-layer FPC describe a flexible circuit with one patterned copper conductor layer.
The material construction also includes insulation, protection and any specified local support. See the single-layer flex definition.
Why does a single-layer flex stackup show several material layers?
“Single-layer” counts the conductive circuit layer. Base film, bonding adhesive, coverlay and stiffeners perform other construction functions and do not add another routing layer.
Review the single-layer stackup examples to see how these materials are arranged.
What is the difference between adhesive-based and adhesiveless flex?
An adhesive-based base laminate includes a separate adhesive layer between copper and the flexible base film. An adhesiveless base laminate does not include that separate copper-to-base adhesive layer.
Coverlay and stiffener attachment can still use adhesives. Explore flex circuit adhesives and bonding materials.
How should I specify single-layer flex PCB thickness?
Define the finished thickness of the flexible span separately from reinforced contact or mounting areas. Identify the included copper, film, adhesive and coverlay layers at each measurement location.
For a connector tail, specify the complete insertion thickness against the selected connector drawing. Review local thickness and contact interfaces.
Can single-layer flexible circuits be used for repeated movement?
Yes. Single-layer circuits can be designed for repeated movement. Copper type, conductor layout, local material thickness and bend geometry all contribute to the mechanical design.
Provide the motion path, radius, expected cycles and evaluation requirements. One copper layer alone does not establish a universal bend radius or cycle life.
When should I choose double-sided flex instead?
Evaluate double-sided flex when the design needs a second copper routing surface and designated layer-to-layer connections. Single-layer construction remains an option when the required connections fit on one layer.
Explore double-sided flex PCB manufacturing or review the construction selection guidance.
Does an FR-4 stiffener turn single-layer flex into rigid-flex?
No. An FR-4 stiffener provides mechanical reinforcement without adding routed rigid circuit layers. Rigid-flex integrates rigid circuit sections with flexible interconnections.
Read the flex PCB stiffener guide or explore rigid-flex PCB manufacturing.
Do you support prototypes and repeat production orders?
Yes. PCBELEC manufactures single-sided flexible circuits for prototype evaluation, pilot builds, low-volume orders and repeat production. Each order identifies the required revision, construction, quantity and delivery needs.
Explore our flex PCB prototyping service and the production options on this page.
What affects the cost of a single-sided flex PCB?
Cost reflects circuit dimensions, quantity, materials, copper, line geometry, coverlay openings, reinforcement and contact finish. Panel utilization, inspection records and delivery requirements also shape the quote.
Send your files and specifications to request a manufacturing quotation.
Which files should I send for a quotation?
Send the copper circuit data, profile, drill information and fabrication drawing with the required revision. Include the base construction, copper, coverlay openings, stiffeners and contact requirements.
Add use conditions, quantity, delivery format and target date. Review our manufacturing file requirements before submitting the package.