If you purchase PCBs, you will have seen prices and lead times increasing across the market. The pressures affecting PCB supply have continued through 2026. Rising raw material costs, growing demand from AI infrastructure and increasingly constrained manufacturing capacity are all contributing to higher production costs.
| Indicator | Concrete figure | Meaning for traditional PCB buyers |
|---|---|---|
| AI server PCB market CAGR | 32.14% CAGR, 2025-2032 | Approx. 6.7x faster than overall PCB market CAGR of 4.83%. |
| AI vs traditional PCB selling value | Approx. 4x-10x higher | AI / high-end boards command much higher selling value because of layer count, materials and signal requirements. |
| Raw material pressure | Copper foil +30%; resin lead time 3 to 15 weeks | Input costs and material availability are forcing PCB pricing adjustments. |
Although much of the attention has focused on high-performance PCBs for AI servers and data centres, see above, the impact extends into the wider PCB industry. Competition for materials and manufacturing capacity is affecting the availability and cost of standard industrial PCBs too.
However, price increases are not uniform. The impact on individual PCB requirements depends on material specifications, board complexity, order quantities and manufacturing capacity.
Several factors are combining to increase the cost of PCB manufacture.
Copper foil, copper-clad laminate, prepreg, electronic glass fibre and specialist resin materials have all experienced price increases. These materials form the foundation of PCB production, so changes in their cost have a direct impact on finished board prices.
AI servers require increasingly complex, high-layer-count PCBs using specialist materials and advanced manufacturing processes. This is creating significant demand for materials and production capacity which would otherwise support more traditional PCB manufacturing.
With many factories operating at high utilisation, manufacturers have less flexibility to accommodate additional orders. This is reducing the competitive pricing previously available when factories had spare capacity.
Other factors, including currency movements, material availability, production complexity and payment terms, are also contributing to the overall cost of PCB supply.
One area experiencing particular pressure is the manufacture of smaller production runs.
Previously, PCB manufacturers often had spare capacity and were willing to offer competitive pricing on smaller orders to keep production lines busy.
With manufacturing capacity now more constrained, this flexibility is reducing. Smaller orders still require engineering preparation, tooling, production setup, testing and quality inspection. These fixed costs are spread across fewer boards, making the cost per PCB higher.
As a result, some customers are experiencing price increases not simply because materials cost more, but because the discounts previously available on smaller production runs are becoming less common.
Not all PCBs are affected equally by the current market conditions.
The materials used, copper weight, number of layers, board complexity, surface finish and manufacturing requirements all influence the final cost.
Standard FR4 constructions are experiencing different market conditions from specialist materials used in high-speed, RF and advanced electronic applications. Some standard material categories are showing early signs of stabilisation, while specialist materials remain under greater pressure.
Order quantities and production lead times also influence pricing. Smaller batches, urgent requirements and complex manufacturing processes can attract higher costs when production capacity is limited.
This explains why two PCBs which appear relatively similar can experience quite different price movements.
Looking ahead, PCB pricing is likely to remain under pressure into 2027, although the situation is expected to vary between material types and manufacturing requirements.
Demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow, placing pressure on specialist materials and high-end PCB manufacturing capacity. These areas are likely to remain particularly constrained.
There are, however, indications that some standard PCB materials could begin to stabilise as supply improves and additional manufacturing capacity becomes available.
A widespread reduction in PCB prices is unlikely to happen overnight. New production capacity takes time to establish, qualify and reach consistent manufacturing output.
For PCB buyers, this means forward planning, accurate forecasting and working closely with an experienced supply partner will remain important throughout 2027.
While global material costs and manufacturing capacity are outside our control, there are practical ways to help manage their impact.
With over 60 years of PCB supply experience, Daleba works closely with an established network of audited manufacturing partners to identify the most appropriate production route for each customer's requirements.
Our technical and logistics teams work with manufacturing partners to assess material availability, production capacity and lead times, helping customers secure reliable and competitive PCB supply.
There are also practical steps customers can take:
By combining technical support, manufacturing flexibility and forward planning, we aim to help customers minimise cost pressures and maintain continuity of supply.
The PCB industry continues to face significant challenges from material costs, changing demand and manufacturing capacity.
While these pressures are outside our control, our commitment to customers remains the same. We will continue to work closely with our manufacturing partners, monitor market conditions and look for opportunities to improve pricing and supply.
At Daleba, we believe successful PCB supply is about more than price alone. It is about finding the right manufacturing solution, maintaining quality and ensuring reliable delivery.
If you are experiencing price increases or concerns about PCB availability, speak to our team. We will be pleased to review your requirements and discuss how we can help.
Date : 12-11-2026
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Daleba can manufacture PCBs ranging from single-sided to complex boards in excess of 40x layers. Our in-house CAM engineering resource allows us to rapidly check, panelise and commercially optimise a fast turnaround prototype as well as small volumes. We can supply simple technology boards in as little as 24 hours!
