Abstract: A device is provided for holding a printed circuit panel having two substantially parallel margins. The device has a frame and employs two grasping jaws to hold the first and second margins of the panel, respectively. An actuator coupled to one of the grasping jaws provides a force that tends to move away one grasping jaw with respect to the other grasping jaw and thereby provides a tension to keep the printed circuit panel plane. Since the printed circuit panel is grapsed by and traction is exerted on the two parallel margins, the panel is held with highly accurate planeness regardless of its dimensions and of its thickness. In This manner, the device for holding a printed circuit panel may accommodate panels with a wide variety of sizes.