A few notes.... Sticky labels on bare copper traces literally attract
     conductive trash and hold it where it will cause the most trouble.

     Where I have had little luck using the laserprinted iron on as etch resist,
     I have had excellent results using the technique to apply text and lines to
     etched boards.  My CAD system allows prints to be mirrored when they are
     printed.  I just print the silkscreen with the laserprinter on paper
     (mirrored), and align and iron it on to the etched pwb.  Soak the pwb in
     water for an hour, and rub / scratch off the paper.  You just need to stay
     away from a few solvents.  The stuff comes right off if you try to clean
     off flux with the old carbon tech, or acetone.  It does work fine with
     water cleaning.

     Joe



     --------------Snip
     (?) -

     Is there  any reason why I shouldn't be able to use paper or plastic
     labelling on the component side of the boards? I've used this process for
     labelling all sorts of cabinet panels.

     My CAD package lets me create a separate layer for the silk screen labels
     and print it separate from the solder side.

     For prototypes and very short runs, I obvioulsy don't want to get into silk
     screening, but would like to have some parts IDs and label connectors and
     such.

     I'm considering printing the silk screen layer on plain paper or clear
     mylar and gluing it onto the PCB, probably after the etching but before the
     drilling stage.

     Since the boards are single-sided, I can't think of a reason why this won't
     work. Can you?