Dear H, pattern plating of outer layers can produce a big variation in plating heighth (depending on circuit design and current density). Panel plating produces a uniform surface which improves solder mask applications. High plating makes for some pretty skinny coverage at the top of the trace, eh? Hope this helps. Mark Simmons, V-Score Central ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ##############################################################