Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include package substrates and methods of forming such substrates. In an embodiment, a package substrate comprises a core, a first layer over the core, where the first layer comprises a metal, and a second layer over the first layer, where the second layer comprises an electrical insulator. In an embodiment, the package substrate further comprises a third layer over the second layer, where the third layer comprises a dielectric material, and where an edge of the core extends past edges of the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer.