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Breadboarding a new circuit is a key skill and an important step in many projects—especially early on, when you need to move wires around and substitute components. But that very flexibility also makes it easy to knock wires out. Eventually, if your project is a keeper, you’re going to want something with a bit more permanence. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) solve all those shortcomings. But most people don’t even consider translating a one-off project into a PCB design. For one thing, PCB fabrication has traditionally been expensive, viable only in commercial quantities. (One alternative is to do it yourself with etches and silk screens, a messy and time-consuming process.) Also, there are technical constraints involved with PCB designs that are daunting to the casual hobbyist. But it turns out that nowadays you can produce a professional PCB very inexpensively.

You just built a breadboard of your expert design. You did all the simulations needed before going to layout, and reviewed the manufacturer's suggested techniques for a good thermal design for the particular package chosen. You even did your due diligence in going through the initial thermal analysis equations on paper to be sure not to exceed IC junction temperatures with a comfortable margin. But wait, you turn on the power and the IC is pretty hot to the touch. You are uncomfortable with this (not to mention the concern of your thermal experts and reliability people). Now what do you do?