This thread discusses the Content article: PCB Design-A-Thon

You may also want to look at Futurlec, as well as Seeed Studio and BatchPCB. Futurelec is in Thailand, Seeed in China, and BatchPCB batches in the USA to GoldPhoenix in China.

--- Futurelec ---
I've heard through other forums that theirCustomer Service can be the shits, but that everyone that's used them has liked what they eventually got back. I've only ever ordered components and small manufactured mini-board products from them, and I've never had a problem. Shipping has been very reasonable to the US and everything that I've ever gotten from them has been packaged very, very well.

The problem with their customer service is that you only ever hear from them twice, once that they've gotten your order, and once when everything's shipped. It's very difficult to get intermediate status from them. You can't tell if a parts order is stuck because something's out-of-stock, or exactly what the timetable is for boards that you've sent them designs for.

I've used them twice for items from stock, but never personally for boards. However, I'd put them on my shortlist for boards, esp. if cost is an issue.

--- Seeed Studio ---
These guys are relative newcomers. They don't manufacture themselves, but vet local companies to do the manufacturing. They have a very open-source bent, and some of their pricing for board manufacture reflects this. They seem to be pretty easy to work with, but I can only say that that's from appearances. They really seem to be making an effort. Very, very good pricing. Futurlec can be cheaper if you forego the mask and silkscreen.

I've asked them questions about their service via email and they've gotten back to me promptly.

I'll probably try these guys first when I do my first board.

--- BatchPCB ---
These guys are the manufacturing service of SparkFun, and they batch to GoldPhoenix. They seem to be the cheapest in many circumstances if you want a single board. After that, their prices don't fare as well as most. They're slow (3-4 weeks), and you'll probably have to eat extra shipping back to the center of the rising sun (if they'll even do it, I don't know). Low setup & domestic shipping, but kinda pricey per square inch, but with mask & silkscreen.

good luck,
-e

Ugh, just realized I was sloppy/inconsistent in my spelling of "Futurlec", http://www.futurlec.com.

Braindamage from being at Future Electronics too recently, I suppose.

-e

PS: This probably should have been a "Comment" rather than a "Discuss". User fail.

Ha ha ha. No problem on FuturLec. I'm familiar with them and their products.

Since I panelize the boards myself, I'm not too keen on BatchPCB. I think it's okay for hobbyists, but the wait time doesn't match up well with my needs. I haven't tried Futurlec before. I always pictured Seeed Studio as a webshop, not a design house, but I guess I was mistaken.

Anyways, I think I'll probably stick with GoldPhoenix and PCBCart for now. They have competitive prices, decent turnaround times, and reasonable shipping to Japan.

Thanks for the advice, tho!