The short answer
What this setting controls
Silkscreen does not carry electrical signals. It helps a person identify parts, connectors and orientation during assembly and service.
Keep markings clear of pads, solderable copper and tight component courtyards. For black mask, white legend is usually the readable path; for white mask, black legend provides contrast.
Options in the order form
How the available choices differ
| Choice | Use it for | Engineering note |
|---|---|---|
| White legend | Most non-white solder masks | Use sufficient stroke width and clearance from pads and component courtyards. |
| Black legend | White solder mask | Provides the contrast needed for readable designators and warnings. |
Compatibility
What can change with this selection
- The interface may offer only one valid colour after mask selection.
- A clean Gerber preview is more reliable than a text-only assumption.
- If the page disables a choice, treat it as a compatibility result and adjust the controlling design decision rather than forcing the value.
Practical recommendation
How to make the decision
- Leave the compatible default unless the assembly drawing calls for another contrast.
- Check reference designators, polarity, pin 1 and test-point markings in the final artwork.
- Use special silkscreen technology only when the ordinary legend cannot meet the readability requirement.
Before release
Check these points before adding the quote to cart
- Confirm the selected value matches the released Gerber, drawing, stack-up, BOM or assembly plan.
- Review any fields that changed automatically after this selection.
- Check the board preview and server-calculated estimate before adding the quote to cart.
- Leave the compatible default unless the assembly drawing calls for another contrast.
- Check reference designators, polarity, pin 1 and test-point markings in the final artwork.
- Use special silkscreen technology only when the ordinary legend cannot meet the readability requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for ordering and design review
Can I choose any legend colour?
No. The readable choices depend on the mask and material path.
When should I change Silkscreen?
Change it when the released electrical, mechanical, thermal, assembly or quality plan gives a measurable reason. Otherwise keep the compatible default and review the resulting board preview and estimate.
Why is an option disabled?
The current material, geometry, layer count, quantity or another selected process makes that combination unavailable. Change the controlling selection or revise the design package rather than trying to bypass the disabled state.
Can I rely on the online choice as final manufacturing approval?
No. The interface screens known combinations and requests pricing, while final manufacturability remains subject to the released files and technical review.
What should I record outside the order form?
Put controlled requirements in the fabrication drawing, assembly drawing, stack-up, BOM or acceptance plan. Use Special instructions only for a concise pointer to that controlled requirement.
Will changing this update other selections?
It can. The order form re-evaluates compatibility and may replace a now-invalid dependent choice before requesting a fresh server-side estimate. Review every highlighted or automatically changed field.
What if the design requires an option that is not offered?
Do not approximate it with a different label. Recheck the controlling material and geometry, document the actual requirement, and request technical review before placing the order.
Further reading
Standards and technical references
Use the latest applicable revision and your organisation’s controlled requirements when a standard forms part of product acceptance.