Hello,
I am very new in Kicad. I want to create PCB with one layer only it means I put all components (through holes components only / no SMD) on the front and solder the components on the back side (just like old pcb).
In this case, I will need to select back copper (B. Cu) and create the track. Is it correct understanding?
I think F. Cu is used mainly for SMD and to create vias if I understand correctly.
Thanks.
You are actually describing a two layer board with the F_Cu unused for tracks.
You might as well do this as true single layer boards are not cheaper in small quantities.
True single layer boards only have NPTH holes. Soldering a component to a PTH hole is MUCH more reliable.
I do not know of PCB manufacturers that do single layer PCB’s (affordable and small quantities).
This pretty much leaves the only purpose for single Layer PCB’s for home etching / milling / etc, which is of course perfectly fine.
There is no “real” support for single layer PCB’s in KiCad. In: Pcbnew / File / Board Setup / Layers you can only select an even number of copper layers.
That said though, to make a single layer PCB, just ignore the top (default red) copper layer, and only draw copper tracks on the back (default green) layer, just as you already thought.
You can make use of the Front copper layer as “wire bridges”. If you want these, then use big via’s and draw the wirebridges on F.Cu just as if they were etched in copper. Make sure the via’s are big enough to both put the wires through and solder them.
If you also want to apply solder mask, then make sure that: Pcbnew / File / Plot / Plot format: Gerber / [x] Do not tent vias is flagged on. If this is off, then there will be solder mask over the via’s and you can’t solder to them.
[Edit:]
retiredfeline also added a similar answer. If you want better advise, then tell us more about your intentions and reasoning for your single layer PCB.
Single layer PCBs are only used by high volume cheap consumer goods like bedside clocks to save a few pennies. Typically the board is phenolic rather than fiberglass again for cost reasons. There’s no reason for you to resort to SL. Even if you wanted a fab to do SL for they would first shake their heads in puzzlement and then say, ok, if you really want that just ignore the front layer and it will cost the same.
It allows the holes to be punched rather than drilled.
Which is only viable for mass production because of high tooling costs. Such punches punch all the holes in one go and are specifically made for a single PCB. A guess would be >EUR1000 for such a punch.
If your making your own boards that would be the case. However as others have said, two sided boards are so common they have become the “standard” and deviating from the standard costs more $$.
Another issue with single-sided boards, is that with no support from a plated via, the pads can lift easily if the part is bumped or if a failed component needs replacing and too much heat is applied to the pad.
A suggestion - make one side a grounding plane and run the rest of the traces on the other side.
To answer the OPs question:
Yes, correct!
Why don’t you use the top copper for components label?
You then save some pennies by not having silkscreen.
Francesco C
Hello all, thank you so much for the replies and suggestion. I will consider them. Thanks
But consider them in what context?
Are you fabbing at home (etching, milling) or use a company to outsource it?
Plan to use Oshpark, so will change to 2 layer pcb most likely as the schematic looks a bit complex as well. I am still drawing the schematic, but that is the current plant at least. Thanks.
There is no cost savings at OshPark to not use top and bottom copper and top and bottom silkscreen. Some places will charge you for bottom silkscreen, but not OshPark. Though this is becoming rarer in the quick-turn prototype services that the hobby community uses for their boards. Commercial volume fabs may be different, I’ve been out of that game too long to know what the current pricing strategies are. (The last time I dealt with commercial volume PCB purchasing was in the early-mid '90s where we were charged a $200 NRE for every Gerber layer, and then was charged for the actual manufacture of the boards… Times have changed since then.)
My last two boards came from OSHPark and I am very happy with them. Cheap price and relatively fast. I highly recommend them.
I have used JPLPCB and had no issue with them either. Its just OSHPark is faster for me and they do bottom side silkscreen. Also I like the purple boards 
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