I've been sourcing Rogers PCBs for RF and high-frequency projects for nearly a decade now. In that time, I've worked with manufacturers who delivered flawless boards on tight deadlines—and others who cost me weeks of debugging because they couldn't handle laminate properly. The difference between the two isn't always obvious from a website or a sales pitch.
Rogers materials aren't forgiving. You're paying premium prices for RO4350B, RO4003C, or RT/duroid because your application demands stable dielectric properties, low loss, and tight tolerances. Hand that job to a manufacturer who treats Rogers like standard FR-4, and you'll end up with delamination, inconsistent impedance, or boards that fail thermal cycling within months.
So how do you separate the real specialists from the ones who just list "Rogers" on their capabilities page? Here's what I've learned.
Start with the Right Questions
Before you even look at quotes, you need to know what questions to ask. A manufacturer that stumbles on these probably isn't ready for your project.
What Rogers materials do they actually stock? Some shops only keep RO4350B on hand and have to special-order everything else. That adds lead time and sometimes means they're less familiar with processing other laminates. If your design calls for RO3003 or TMM materials, make sure they've actually worked with them—not just theoretically.
How do they handle mixed-material stackups? Hybrid builds combining Rogers with FR-4 or other materials require specific bonding processes. The coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch can cause reliability issues if not managed correctly. Ask about their prepreg selection and lamination profiles for hybrid boards.
What's their DFM review process like? Good Rogers PCB manufacturers will catch potential issues before fabrication—things like copper balance problems, via placement near RF traces, or soldermask considerations for high-frequency performance. If they just run your files without feedback, that's a red flag.
Can they show you impedance test data? For controlled-impedance Rogers boards, you want a manufacturer who tests coupons from your actual panel, not one who just relies on calculations. Ask to see their TDR measurement reports.
The Certification Question
ISO 9001 is table stakes—everyone has it. What matters more for Rogers work is whether they hold certifications relevant to your industry. If you're building aerospace or defense products, you'll need ITAR registration and potentially AS9100. Medical applications often require ISO 13485 compliance.
But certifications only tell part of the story. I've seen certified shops produce mediocre work because they treat compliance as a checkbox rather than a quality culture. Conversely, some smaller manufacturers without every certification deliver outstanding boards because their team genuinely understands RF fabrication.
Five Rogers PCB Manufacturers Worth Considering
After years of vetting suppliers and comparing results, these are the manufacturers I'd put on a shortlist for Rogers work. Each has different strengths depending on your project needs.
1. RayPCB
RayPCB has become my go-to for most Rogers projects, especially when turnaround time matters. They maintain actual inventory of common Rogers laminates—not just RO4350B, but also RO4003C, RO3003, and several RT/duroid variants. That means they're not waiting on material shipments when your deadline is tight.
What sets them apart is their engineering support. Their DFM team has caught stackup issues on my designs that would have caused problems in assembly. They also provide detailed impedance reports with every controlled-impedance order, which saves time during qualification.
They handle hybrid stackups well and have competitive pricing for mid-volume production runs. If you're doing prototype-to-production with the same supplier, they scale smoothly.
2. PCBSync
PCBSync is relatively newer to my radar, but they've impressed me on several high-frequency projects. Their strength is really in complex multilayer Rogers builds—the kind where you need precise layer-to-layer registration and tight thickness control.
Their quoting process is straightforward, and they're responsive when you need to discuss technical details before placing an order. I've found their pricing competitive for prototype quantities, which matters when you're iterating on an RF design and need multiple board spins.
They also seem to understand that Rogers projects often come with tighter tolerances than standard work. No pushback when I've specified ±0.5 mil dielectric thickness requirements.
3. RFPCB.ORG
The name tells you their focus. RFPCB.ORG specializes exclusively in RF and microwave boards, which means their entire operation is built around high-frequency materials. They're not a general PCB shop that happens to offer Rogers—it's their core business.
That specialization shows in their process control. They understand the nuances of different Rogers grades and how processing parameters need to change between, say, RO4350B and RO3003. Their technical team speaks RF fluently, which makes design reviews more productive.
The tradeoff is they're not the cheapest option, and lead times can be longer during busy periods since they're a more specialized operation.
4. AdvancedPCB
AdvancedPCB handles a broad range of advanced materials, including Rogers, Taconic, and Isola high-frequency laminates. If your project might need to switch between material vendors—or if you're still evaluating which laminate best fits your application—their flexibility is valuable.
They're strong on quick-turn prototypes and have good capabilities for impedance-controlled designs. Documentation is solid, and they're responsive to technical questions during the quoting phase.
For very high-volume production, you might find better pricing elsewhere, but for development work and low-to-mid volume, they're reliable.
5. Hillmancurtis
Hillmancurtis rounds out the list as a solid option for straightforward Rogers builds. They handle the common Rogers materials competently and offer reasonable pricing for standard stackups.
Where they fit well is projects that need Rogers performance but aren't pushing the limits of what's manufacturable. If you're building a relatively conventional RF board without exotic stackups or extreme tolerances, they'll deliver good quality without the premium pricing of ultra-specialized shops.
Their communication is decent, though not quite as proactive on DFM feedback as some others on this list.
Red Flags to Watch For
A few warning signs that should make you cautious about a Rogers PCB supplier:
They quote instantly without reviewing your files. Rogers fabrication has too many variables for automated quoting to be reliable. A manufacturer who quotes complex RF boards in minutes probably isn't evaluating manufacturability.
They can't discuss their lamination process. Bonding Rogers materials requires specific temperature profiles and pressure control. If the sales team can't explain their approach or connect you with engineering, that's concerning.
Their standard tolerance specs are vague. Look for specific numbers on dielectric thickness, impedance control, and registration. "Tight tolerances" means nothing without data.
No references in your industry. If you're building RF modules for automotive radar, you want a manufacturer who's done automotive work. The quality systems and documentation requirements vary significantly between industries.
Final Thought
Choosing a Rogers PCB manufacturer isn't just about finding the lowest price or fastest lead time. It's about finding a partner whose capabilities match your project requirements and whose team understands high-frequency fabrication well enough to catch problems before they become expensive.
Get samples. Ask for references. And don't assume that because a manufacturer handles FR-4 well, they'll handle Rogers the same way. The shops that excel at RF boards have made specific investments in equipment, training, and process control that generic PCB manufacturers simply haven't.
Your RF design is only as good as its fabrication. Choose accordingly.
