PCB assembly quotes move faster when the assembler has the right information from the start. Whether you are weighing turnkey vs consignment PCB assembly, preparing files for a new build, or trying to avoid another round of quote clarification, the goal is the same: make the project easy to understand, price, and move into production.
This guide covers:
- How turnkey, consignment, and partial turnkey assembly compare
- Which files belong in a complete PCB assembly quote package
- What BOM details matter most
- How to submit a quote-ready RFQ
Start by choosing the assembly model that best fits your sourcing needs.
What Is the Difference Between Turnkey and Consignment PCB Assembly?
Turnkey PCB assembly means the assembler sources the components and builds the boards. Consignment PCB assembly means the customer supplies the parts, while the assembler handles placement, soldering, inspection, and related assembly work.
In other words, the difference lies in who owns the sourcing responsibility. In a turnkey project, the PCB assembly partner manages purchasing, availability checks, substitutions, and component logistics. That can simplify the process for buyers who want one vendor to manage both parts and assembly. In a consignment project, the buyer keeps more control over the components, which can be useful when parts are already in inventory, tied to approved suppliers, or difficult to substitute.
Here is the basic comparison:
| Assembly Model | Who Supplies the Parts? | Best Fit | Main Quote Consideration |
| Full turnkey | Assembler | Buyers who want sourcing and assembly handled together | BOM must be complete enough for accurate sourcing |
| Consignment | Customer | Buyers with existing inventory or strict part control | Supplied parts must be labeled, complete, and usable |
| Partial turnkey | Both | Projects with some customer-controlled parts | Responsibilities must be clearly divided |
For most buyers, the decision comes down to speed, control, and sourcing complexity. Once that model is clear, the assembler can quote the build more accurately and identify what files, part details, or approvals are still needed.
Should You Choose Turnkey, Consignment, or Partial Turnkey Assembly?
The right model depends on what’s most important for your project: speed, control, cost visibility, or sourcing risk. Turnkey assembly can reduce the burden on your team because the assembler handles component purchasing, supplier coordination, and assembly under one process. Consignment gives you more direct control over the supply chain, but it also makes you responsible for sending the correct parts in the right quantities and condition. Partial turnkey sits between the two, which makes it useful when some components need customer control and others can be sourced by the assembler.
A simple way to decide:
- Choose turnkey PCB assembly if you want one partner to source components, manage purchasing, and assemble the boards.
- Choose consignment PCB assembly if you already own the parts, have approved suppliers, or need to control substitutions closely.
- Choose partial turnkey PCB assembly if you want to supply critical, expensive, scarce, programmed, or highly controlled components while the assembler sources the rest.
This decision should be made before requesting a quote. If sourcing responsibility is unclear, the assembler may need to pause the quote process to confirm which parts they are pricing, which parts you are supplying, and which alternates are acceptable.
What Files Do You Need for a PCB Assembly Quote?
A PCB assembly quote usually requires the same core package: Gerber files, a BOM, pick-and-place data, assembly drawings, and clear build notes. These files tell the assembler what the board is, what parts go on it, where those parts go, and what requirements affect labor, inspection, and testing.
A quote-ready package should include:
- Gerber files: These show the PCB layers, including copper, solder mask, silkscreen, and solder paste data needed for fabrication and assembly review.
- Bill of materials (BOM): This lists every component, quantity, reference designator, manufacturer part number, approved alternates, and any do-not-install parts.
- Pick-and-place file: Also called a centroid file, this provides component coordinates, rotation, placement side, and package information.
- Assembly drawing: This clarifies polarity, orientation, connector placement, mechanical details, and any special instructions.
- Assembly notes: These should cover workmanship requirements, solder preferences, cleaning, conformal coating, inspection, and testing needs.
- Quantity and timeline: These help the assembler price labor, plan capacity, and evaluate sourcing urgency.
When these files are complete and aligned, the assembler can move from file review to quote development with fewer clarification requests.
What Should Your BOM Include Before You Request a Quote?
The BOM is often the file that determines whether a quote moves quickly or gets stuck in clarification. For turnkey PCB assembly, the assembler needs sourcing-ready data so they can check component availability, lead times, pricing, and substitution options. For consignment PCB assembly, the BOM needs to show which parts the customer will provide and whether enough excess parts are included for setup, handling, and possible attrition. In both cases, unclear BOM data can create cost uncertainty before the build ever reaches production.
A quote-ready BOM should include:
- Manufacturer part number and manufacturer name
- Supplier part number, if available
- Quantity per board and total build quantity
- Reference designators for each component
- Package size, value, tolerance, and rating where applicable
- Approved alternates or substitution rules
- DNI, DNP, or no-load parts
- Notes for customer-supplied, programmed, moisture-sensitive, or long-lead components
A clean BOM reduces guesswork. It helps the assembler quote sourcing, labor, and risk more accurately, especially when component availability or substitution control matters.
Checklist to Help Buyers Submit a Quote-Ready PCB Assembly Package
Before submitting an RFQ, treat the package like a handoff to the engineering and sourcing teams. Every file should match the same revision, and every sourcing responsibility should be visible. If the build is partial turnkey, identify exactly which parts are customer-supplied and which parts the assembler should source. If substitutions are allowed, say so clearly. If they are not, mark those parts as controlled.
Use this final checklist before sending your quote request:
- Choose turnkey, consignment, or partial turnkey assembly.
- Confirm board quantity, build quantity, and timeline.
- Include Gerbers, BOM, pick-and-place data, drawings, and notes.
- Mark customer-supplied parts and approved alternates.
- State inspection, testing, coating, and special process requirements.
- Confirm that all files use the same revision.
This final review helps prevent avoidable back-and-forth and gives the assembler a clearer path from RFQ to production planning.
Choose Imagineering for Turnkey vs Consignment PCB Assembly Support
A fast, accurate PCB assembly quote starts with clear decisions and complete files. By understanding turnkey vs consignment PCB assembly, buyers can define who is responsible for sourcing, what parts need special handling, and what information the assembler needs to price labor, components, inspection, and testing. Gerbers, BOMs, pick-and-place data, drawings, notes, and build requirements all work together to reduce ambiguity and prevent avoidable delays.
If you are preparing an RFQ, Imagineering can help you turn scattered files and sourcing questions into a quote-ready assembly package, so your project can move from review to build with fewer surprises.
Quick Summary
This blog explains the difference between turnkey, consignment, and partial turnkey PCB assembly, with a focus on how each model affects quoting, sourcing, and production planning. It also gives buyers a practical checklist for preparing Gerbers, BOMs, pick-and-place files, drawings, notes, and build requirements so they can avoid quote delays and move faster from RFQ to assembly.
Turnkey and Consignment PCB Assembly FAQs
Turnkey PCB assembly means the assembler sources the components and builds the boards. Consignment PCB assembly means the customer supplies the parts, while the assembler handles the assembly work.
Most PCB assembly quotes require Gerber files, a BOM, pick-and-place data, assembly drawings, and clear build notes. Quantity, timeline, inspection, testing, and special process requirements should also be included.
Quotes are often delayed by missing files, mismatched revisions, incomplete BOMs, unclear sourcing responsibilities, or unavailable components. A complete RFQ package helps the assembler price labor, sourcing, inspection, and testing more accurately.