Surface-mount thin-film components having terminals configured for visual inspection

A method for forming a surface-mountable component, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate having a side surface and a top surface that is perpendicular to the side surface;
• depositing an element layer on the top surface of the substrate, wherein the element layer comprises a thin-film element and a contact pad electrically connected with the thin-film element, the contact pad extending to the side surface of the substrate;
• forming at least one of a protective layer or a passivation layer over the thin-film element, wherein the at least one of the protective layer or the passivation layer is open to the side surface of the substrate;
• and
• electroplating at least a portion of the contact pad to form a terminal having a connection area with the contact pad that is parallel with the top surface of the substrate and such that the terminal has a visible edge surface that is approximately aligned with the side surface of the substrate to form a terminal.