Flexible printed functional circuit

Custom Polymer Thick Film Circuit

Custom polymer thick film circuits combine a flexible film substrate with printed conductor, resistor, or contact functions in a drawing-led format. Chipsimple reviews the material, printed stack, termination, bend condition, electrical target, assembly interface, and validation method together before prototyping or repeat production.

  • Film and printed stack reviewed together
  • Custom geometry, pads, and contact zones
  • Bend and assembly conditions defined early
  • Electrical acceptance tied to the drawing
PI / PET / PENCommon film routes
1–4Printed layers typical
5Verified product views
By drawingFinal electrical release

Quick Specifications

These selection values cover the broader flexible and polymer thick film family. They help frame material and process discussions, while the usable substrate, layer count, geometry, resistance, bend condition, temperature, and termination are released only after drawing and application review.

Final values confirmed against customer drawing.

Substrate MaterialPI / PET / PEN / Polycarbonate
Substrate Thickness25–250 µm typical
Conductor SystemAg / Ag-C / Carbon
Resistor SystemCarbon / Ag-C / PTC
Printed Film Thickness8–12 µm typical
Cure Temperature120–150°C typical
Minimum Line/Space≥150 µm typical
Printed Layers1–4 layers typical
Minimum Bend Radius≥5 × substrate thickness, static
Operating Temperature-40 to +90°C typical
Resistance Tolerance±5% / ±10% typical
TerminationPad / Crimp / Connector / Conductive adhesive

Engineering Capabilities

A manufacturable custom circuit depends on the complete interface, not only the printed artwork. Engineering review connects film selection, conductor and resistor compatibility, print registration, cure sequence, contact protection, bend direction, connector or adhesive termination, and the measurement method used for release.

Film and printed stack

Select the substrate and printed conductor, resistor, dielectric, or protective layers as a compatible system. Thickness, cure sequence, adhesion, and exposed contact windows are confirmed before the artwork is frozen.

Artwork and registration

Release line geometry, overlaps, pad arrays, keep-outs, alignment features, bend zones, and any multi-layer registration requirement in controlled artwork with a clear revision.

Termination and assembly

Define pad, crimp, connector, conductive-adhesive, stiffener, metal-backer, pressure-contact, and housing conditions so the flexible part is reviewed in its real assembly.

Electrical and mechanical validation

Resistance, continuity, contact behavior, adhesion, bend exposure, dimensional fit, environment, and lifecycle checks are selected from the actual duty rather than inferred from a photograph.

Typical Applications

Custom film circuits fit compact products when printed electrical functions must follow an unusual outline or constrained assembly. Each application still needs its own contact, environment, movement, and validation definition.

View all applications

Verified Product Views

The gallery and detail image show real supplied flexible circuits with varied outlines, printed paths, terminal pads, holes, and attached metal-backed areas. Surface photographs establish visible construction only; they do not establish material grade, hidden layer count, resistance, bend life, adhesion, or environmental performance.

Controlled detail crop of a verified custom polymer thick film circuit showing flexible routing and terminal pads
Printed path and terminal detail
Visible construction
Flexible film bodies, printed paths, pad arrays, holes, and several assembly interfaces are visible.
Material boundary
The exact film grade, printed ink system, adhesive, and metal backing are confirmed by drawing and approved material data.
Electrical boundary
Resistance, continuity, current duty, and contact limits require released targets and measurement conditions.
Mechanical boundary
Static bend radius, dynamic flex duty, stiffener use, and lifecycle validation remain project-specific.

Manufacturing & Quality

Chipsimple supports controlled printing, laboratory inspection, production management, and protected packing in Dongguan. For each polymer circuit, the approved film, printed material set, artwork revision, cure route, termination, inspection method, sampling, and acceptance records are confirmed before repeat production; project capability remains subject to engineering review.

View Full Capabilities
Chipsimple screen-printing workshop with controlled printing stations
Controlled Printing
Chipsimple laboratory for dimensional and electrical inspection
Laboratory Inspection
Chipsimple production site in Yonglida Tiansheng High-tech Industry Park
Dongguan Production Site
Chipsimple protected packing area for released thick film products
Protected Packing

Technical FAQ

Short answers for quotation planning; released drawings and validation requirements remain controlling.

What should be defined first for a custom Custom Polymer Thick Film Circuit?

Start with the film material and thickness, circuit outline, printed layer artwork, conductor and resistor function, contact windows, bend direction and radius, termination, stiffener or backing, assembly method, electrical targets, environment, and validation plan. These inputs determine whether the proposed material stack and process route are suitable.

Are the quick specification values guaranteed for every design?

No. They are practical category-level selection values, not a released product specification. Material compatibility, geometry, print build, electrical loading, assembly, environment, inspection method, and expected volume can narrow the usable window. Final values are confirmed against the controlled drawing and approved project conditions.

How should Custom Polymer Thick Film Circuit performance be validated?

Validate the released dimensions and fit first, then continuity, resistance or functional response, contact interface, adhesion, and any project-selected bend, humidity, temperature, chemical, or lifecycle exposure. The test method, sample size, conditioning, electrical loading, and acceptance limits must be defined before results are treated as a product rating.

What should be included with an RFQ?

Send the controlled drawing or artwork, dimensions and tolerances, material preference, electrical targets, assembly interface, operating environment, validation requirements, prototype quantity, annual volume, and schedule. Include the bend zone, connector or adhesive interface, contact exposure, backing or stiffener details, and any dynamic-flex duty.

Request a Custom Polymer Thick Film Circuit Quote

Send the controlled artwork and real assembly conditions so the film, printed stack, termination, bend zones, electrical targets, and validation route can be reviewed together. Clear revision control and measurable acceptance limits reduce avoidable prototype loops and make repeat-production planning more reliable.

  • Drawing-led DFM and material-route feedback
  • Prototype and repeat-production route review
  • Confidential handling of customer files
  • Project-specific inspection and validation planning
  • Gerber, DXF, DWG, PDF, or dimensioned sample drawing
  • Film material, thickness, outline, holes, and tolerances
  • Printed layer artwork, overlaps, windows, and keep-outs
  • Resistance, continuity, current, voltage, and measurement method
  • Bend direction, radius, flex duty, backing, and stiffener
  • Termination, connector, adhesive, housing, and assembly pressure
  • Environment, validation, quantity, schedule, and packing
  1. 1We review the drawing, application, material route, and missing acceptance inputs.
  2. 2You receive DFM questions and a prototype route for approval.
  3. 3Repeat production follows the released revision, inspection plan, and packing requirement.

Submit RFQ and upload files

PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP, Gerber, ZIP, Excel, Word, or sample photos are accepted.

Customer drawings are handled as confidential quotation inputs and used only for engineering review, communication, and project follow-up.