Types of Digital Displays and Signage

Digital signage is an important type of display, found in more places than you might think. When most people think of a digital sign or digital signage content, they jump to the world of advertising. You’re likely going to think of things like Times Square, signs in sports arenas, or the billboards you see while driving along major highways. While this is still a super popular use for digital signs, we're seeing them be used in other spaces as well.

Along with advertising, you'll also find digital signs on college campuses to display information, in transportation hubs to show timetables, in airports to show incoming flights, in restaurants as digital menu boards, and much more! There are endless applications of digital displays and signage.  These days, if you need to display pretty much anything, you can often find a digital signage solution.

If you're in the market for a digital screen, there are some things you need to keep in mind. A digital screen has more factors to consider than traditional signage. The type of digital signage screen you pick, the software it uses, its build, size, and brightness, will all depend on a ton of factors, including:

• The space you have available
• The architectural elements of the space you’re using
• The behavior of the audience you’re targeting

In this article, we're going to walk through the different digital signage display options you'll come across when looking for your ideal display screen. This way, you can pick a digital display that works perfectly for your intended use! Let’s dive in.

Types of Digital Signage

While there are tons of types of digital displays and signage, we’ll walk you through some of the most common formats you’ll see.

Billboards

Billboards are most likely what you think of when you hear the term “out-of-home advertising.” They are an extremely popular form of signage, replacing traditional static signs that used to dominate this type of display.

These types of displays are most often placed near major arteries of vehicular transportation, such as highways, railways, and city streets, though they are also popular in areas that see heavy pedestrian use. With a digital billboard, you don't have to stay stuck on only displaying a static image to your potential customer. These days, you can display all kinds of digital content on these billboards, from scrolling text to videos.

Generally, billboards and bulletins are available in these sizes:

• 10’ H x 40’ W
• 10’6” H x 36’ W
• 14’ H x 48’ W

Spectaculars

Even larger than billboards, spectaculars are an impressive digital signage system that are useful when you need to attract the attention of viewers from a good distance away. These would be similar to the massive video wall screens you see in places like Time Square, though they are also found in cinema applications.

These are a great option if you really want to make a statement, with content ideas larger than static text images. Spectaculars can be great for digital displays and advertising, or even projects like art installations.

Most common sizes available for spectaculars:

• 16’ H x 60’ W
• 20’ H x 60’ W

Shopping Mall Displays

When you walk through the average mall, you’ll likely encounter at least a few displays like these. Placed in high-traffic areas of the shopping mall, there are several options for the type of display available, including kiosks, wall-mounted screens, and free-standing displays.

Though mall displays used to be static images, there are now tons of digital solutions that have brought them into the modern era. These can be as simple as rotating through static images, or it can play animated/video ads. Outside of its uses for advertising, mall displays can also work to provide shoppers with information such as mall operating hours and directories.

Sizes available:

• Free-Standing Units: 50” H x 40” W
• Shelter-Sized Units: Overall Size: 69” H x 47” W

In-Store Digital Screens

The size of television monitors, in-store digital screens are often placed at the checkout counter, directly impacting the stores target audience. This is great for any last minute messaging you want a customer to read as they check out, or to entice a customer while they’re making a purchase. They provide advertising messages, entertainment, and informative content for a store's attendees.

Bus Shelter Panels

Bus shelters often feature one or two panels on either side to display advertisements. They are highly visible to pedestrian traffic, as well as regular commuters using the bus shelters. The panels are usually 68.5” H x 47.5” W.

Kiosks

Kiosks are used in a number of applications, from those that are purely informative (such as those seen at a college campus) to ones that serve both advertising and informative purposes. These kiosks are geared towards any area that sees heavy pedestrian traffic, such as city downtown areas and retail districts.

There are a variety of types and sizes associated with kiosks:

• Telephone Kiosk: 50” H x 26” W 48” H x 24” W
• City Panels: Vertical 50” H x 26” W 49” H x 25” W
• City Panels: Horizontal 26”H x 53”W 25”H x 52”W
• Super City Panel: 35 11/16” H x 80 1/2” W 33” H x 77 1/2” W
• LED Phone Kiosk: 41” H x 26” W 39” H x 24” W
• Two -Sheet Kiosk: 46” H x 60” W 42” H X 57” W
• Information Kiosk: 137 3/4” H x 52 1/4” W 135 3/4” H x 50 1/4” W

Choosing the Right Display

Whatever you are looking to accomplish with your digital display, the best way to go about deciding on the type(s) of displays you need is to consult with your display provider. They will know what works best for locations near you, your digital signage content ideas, and what will give you the optimal returns.

The world of digital displays is constantly growing and changing, and who knows how it will evolve in the future! You can accomplish all kinds of unique advertising and messaging when you combine a great content plan with the right fitting display.