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PCB Forge

Turns an SVG circuit drawing into a printable two-part mold for copper-tape PCBs

PCB Forge is a free browser tool for quick hobby circuit boards without etching. Free to use in the browser; the sample SVG download on itch.io is name-your-own-price, so paying is optional. Exports STL; no account needed. Last checked 26 September 2026.

Open PCB Forge See alternatives

Opens castpixel.itch.io

What is PCB Forge?

PCB Forge is a free browser tool on itch.io that turns an SVG circuit drawing into a two-part 3D-printed mold, so you can make a simple circuit board from copper tape instead of etching one. You draw the board in any vector editor using a few rules: the outline is the largest shape at the back, traces are colored shapes or lines, circles under 2.5 mm become pinholes, and bigger circles become through-holes when black or white or round pads when colored. Drop the SVG in and it builds a base with raised traces and holes, plus a companion slab with matching channels and a rim that keeps the two aligned.

Sliders set base thickness, trace height, hole size, scale, ridge height, channel clearance, press offset, spike height and companion thickness, and you can mirror the traces or switch to a recessed base. A 3D preview shows the current piece, and the base and companion each export as their own STL. After printing, you lay conductive copper tape on the base, press the companion on top and sand the ridges so only the copper in the traces stays.

It only accepts SVG, with no Gerber or KiCad import, so it suits simple boards you draw yourself, such as a switch matrix or a small Arduino or LED project.

What you can make

Copper-tape circuit boards
PCB bases with raised traces and holes
Companion press molds with alignment rim
Boards for key switch and Arduino projects

How to use PCB Forge

Draw the board, traces and holes as filled shapes in a vector editor and save as SVG
Open PCB Forge, click Run tool and drop in your SVG
Type the board width and adjust trace height, hole size, ridges and clearance
Export the base, switch to Companion mode and export that STL too
Print both, add copper tape to the base, press the companion on and sand the ridges

What you'll need to print it

Filament and parts that suit what you make with PCB Forge.

PETG

M3 heat-set inserts

M3 screws

Bambu Lab Fastener Kit Bambu Lab
Hilitchi M3 socket head cap screw assortment kit (affiliate link) Amazon

Also handy

Digital calipers

Filament dryers and dry boxes

SUNLU FilaDryer S4 (affiliate link) Amazon
Polymaker PolyDryer (affiliate link) Amazon

Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about that

PCB Forge pros

No etching or chemicals: two prints, copper tape and some sanding give you a board to solder
Clear drawing rules work with any vector editor, and the page offers a sample SVG to try
Free in the browser with no account, with a 3D preview of each piece before export

PCB Forge cons

Only reads SVG drawn to its color and circle-size rules; there is no Gerber or KiCad import
Meant for simple boards: all small holes share one slider-set diameter, and a commenter found the minimum sizes too coarse for fine parts
Rebuilds the model after every slider change, and a commenter reported the page freezing while it renders