KiCad "Silkscreen clipped by solder mask": silkscreen over pads
KiCad design rule check (PCB) message: Silkscreen clipped by solder mask (silk_over_copper in kicad-cli reports).
What it means
Silkscreen ink cannot be printed on exposed copper, so fabs clip any silkscreen that crosses a solder mask opening. KiCad warns you so you know a reference designator or outline will come out cut. Move the text off the pads.
Common causes
- Reference designators left on top of pads after placement.
- Footprint outlines drawn across pads.
How to fix it
- Move or shrink the reference text; Edit → Edit Text & Graphic Properties can change many at once.
- Fix the footprint's silkscreen outline in the footprint editor.
When it is safe to ignore
Safe to leave on purely cosmetic graphics, since the fab clips them anyway. It matters when a reference designator becomes unreadable.
Where the setting lives
Board Setup → Design Rules → Constraints → Silkscreen; Board Setup → Violation Severity.
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Check my KiCad projectRelated KiCad DRC checks
- Silkscreen clearance
- Silkscreen clipped by board edge (
silk_edge_clearance) - Text height out of range
Checked against KiCad 10's source and documentation. Last reviewed 2026-11-07.
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