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PCB Stencils
Unless you get a dispenser module add-on, you'll need to silkscreen / screenprint solder paste onto the PCBs. Most PCB stencils are made of stainless steel and last years. Right now we make our stencils out of kapton (polyamide) with a laser cutter
You can also get this done for you as a service from Pololu, or Ohararp It should be $20 or so for a small sheet.
Digi-Reels
Say you want to make 100 accelerometer boards (using the ADXL335) but you're not keen on buying 2000 pieces that make up a full reel. You could try to go with cut tape (hassle) or you can go with a "digi-reel". This is a service offered by Digikey where they will take a piece of cut tape and add a leader (long piece of 'empty' tape) and footer so that you can mount it on a pick and place. Its kind of brilliant, and costs only $7 on top of parts cost. You can also make your own, of course, by saving old tape.
