I decided to try etching my own PCBs and I got some blue press and peel transfer foil. It has shiny and matte side. I'm supposed to print on one side and iron the other, but the procedure of transferring isn't too clear to me and the only site which Google provides appears to be infested with malware, so I'm asking here for advice.
How to use blue press and peel transfer foil for PCB etching
pcb-fabrication
Related Solutions
You want to have printed ink as close to the PCB surface as possible. In order to do so you need to mirror the top layer.
I normally use magazine paper (thank you, old Nat Geo subscription). The key is that there needs to be some kind of emulsion on the page that can separate from the paper. Some people recommend using photo paper, though I haven't tried it.
The issue I'd see is it would be more difficult to get another print quickly if you screw something up (wrong orientation, missed a component, etc.)
From the options provided on the FedEx Office site, the only one that looks like it might work is Gloss Text.
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Best Answer
You transfer the image onto the dull side, place that in contact with the copper, and iron on the other side placing a plain sheet of paper between the iron and the P&P stuff. Here is a non-hacked web page.
Members of the Homebrew PCB Yahoo group have found that shiny magazine paper works just as well as that expensive Press and Peel material, and costs nothing, just use sheets from an old magazine. I've tried both, and can confirm that. Moreover, you don't have to worry about which side is which! :) I get much better results using transparencies printed on an inkjet printer with the conventional photo-etch process using precoated positive resist boards.