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Artifact Guide
 
Minimizing artifacts to maximize quality
While many factors can affect image quality, microscopic defects known as artifacts degrade film images. If the images are seriously degraded, it’s likely that the printed circuit boards made from those images will be rejected.
 
 
Rejected boards can’t be sold. They cost you money. And doing them over wastes time and resources. Your productivity suffers. You lose capacity. To make sure you achieve the highest quality images – and operate cost-effectively – it is critical to minimize the number and types of artifacts that appear on processed films. The solution is simple – proper film handling practices will prevent nearly all the artifacts that cause rejects on printed circuit board films.
Film defects fall into two main categories:
 
 
We have also included a third section describing less common varieties of physical artifacts which may be found anywhere on the phototool.
In all cases, artifacts can be drastically reduced with proper care and consideration of your:
  • Facility set-up – Cleanliness is critical in darkrooms and photoplotter rooms
  • Film handling and processing methods – Keep equipment and workspaces clean. Rigorously maintain film processors and handle film with care.
This guide will help you identify a wide variety of artifacts and show you how to avoid each of them.
Each of the following pages explains one type of artifact. Examples are shown along with a description of how and where that type of artifact may form. Detailed troubleshooting procedures are offered to help you prevent similar artifacts in the future.