PM Signs - Digital Boards

Digital Boards

What Is A Digital Board?

A digital board is a sign type that is highly dynamic. They are used in some form in nearly all sectors of business, and the most adaptable to different situations. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, and can display nearly any type of content you could want: static text, scrolling text, images, videos, and any combination of these content types that are needed to promote your business. Their sophistication does make them one of the more expensive and intricate sign types to build, but the boost to your visibility and marketing strength will be worth the investment.

How Big Is It?

Digital boards can come in a wide variety of sizes. Some digital boards are large and have a lot of depth to them; these boards are often used to display business names on large signs. Smaller digital boards are designed for closer inspection and are often used for internal purposes, such as displaying menus, internal business news and alerts, or broadcasting schedules or advertisements. Since a digital board can essentially be as large or small as is needed for each individual project, there aren’t any industry standards to offer.

What Is It Made Of?

Digital boards are composed of a few different material types. The main frame for the board will be made of strong, durable materials like steel to allow it to support the rest of the structure and hold up against inclement weather outdoors and potential interaction from people indoors. There will be electrical components inside this frame to give the digital board a power source and allow the programming to reach its target. High quality LED or LCD screens will compose the faces of the digital board, as they can withstand damage from weather and are easily visible during the day and when it gets dark.

Why Is This Sign Type Needed?

Digital boards have an extensive benefits list, and they can target every kind of demographic out there. No matter where you go in modern times, you are bound to come across dozens of digital boards and other forms of digital signage, even if you’re not out there searching for them. Businesses continue to become ever more online savvy, and the digital world is always expanding. Incorporating digital signage into your business advertising is a sure fire way to keep up with the times and keep your business relevant to the public eye.

Digital boards are key elements in advertising. They are used to promote events and give consumers an easy way to find new products. Restaurants can use them to make people aware of their location, specials, and even provide contact information. Retailers frequently use them to promote new stock and give customers information on current deals and promotions. Some businesses may use a digital board to promote the advertisements of other businesses to generate some extra revenue.

When it comes to personal use, there are many locations that use digital boards as a fresh way to advertise their name. They are quite popular for schools and churches, and will often be used to make people aware of upcoming events, holidays, or even just to write a nice phrase that can help put a smile on someone’s face. Large corporations can use digital boards to relate important news and events to their employees, transportation hubs can use them to display schedules and pricing information, and so much more. Digital boards are needed in every sector of business because they are able to display information in a way that no other sign type can. Whether it is just the name of a business or complex itineraries and wayfinding, digital boards are useful and appreciated.

When Was This Sign Type Invented and Why?

The term digital signage was first being used in the 1990’s, but back then it was used to describe video content played on old TV’s from a VCR or DVD. This evolved in the early 2000’s into the digital signage we are more familiar with today, using plasma and LED screens to promote content and businesses. Today, LCD screens are also very popular for digital boards. Digital boards have experienced quite an evolution over the years. Their content and construction has both evolved. They began as electronic paper, and this display required close proximity and some effort from workers to make modifications. Once the technology advanced enough to give modern day styles of digital boards, the market exploded. These signs were the best way to give customers and visitors important information on the fly, and it was incredibly efficient. They have applications in every sector of business, and that’s why they continue to dominate the signage market to this day.

Types of Digital Boards

Reader boards are the main type of digital board signage. They are non-interactive, and allow a viewer to gain information about a business, event, or product from a distance. The content in a reader board can be constant, or it can be programmed to cycle through various screens to give viewers more information than a single screen can handle. This differentiates reader boards into dynamic and automated types. This type of digital sign is most often used for displaying the name of a business, or advertisements of products and/or events. Dynamic digital boards are often used in retail, fast food, and healthcare sectors. They are a great tool for marketing menus, products, and clinic information. Automated digital boards are popular in the real estate and transportation sectors. They are the ideal way for companies to broadcast properties for sale and transportation schedules.

A newer type of digital board comes in the form of interactive kiosks. These are popular for wayfinding around universities and other large locations such as conservation parks, resorts, and indoor/outdoor malls. They are also incredibly popular in the fast food industry as an ordering service. The technology in these digital boards is the most advanced since it requires a two-way interface and reliable connectivity to other networks. They need to be durable too, since they will be handled quite frequently by people of all ages.

How Is A Digital Board Made?

Digital boards are more sophisticated than many other sign types due to their requirement for technology. They will have one of the highest electricity demands of all sign types, and likely the most maintenance/monitoring as well. Especially if you’ll be having images/videos that change on a regular basis, you’ll have to make sure that everything is functioning properly to keep the sign at its most effective. Let’s take a look at how digital boards are made and designed.

What Is the Manufacturing Process Like?

Digital boards require a lot of technology and delicate materials. Their screens need to be incredibly high quality in order to produce readable, engaging content. There are four main components to digital board construction. Since a digital board cannot stand all by itself, some type of framework needs to be designed, whether it is a combination of other sign types like pylon signs for outdoor exposure, or a simple stand for interior use. Once the large-scale framework is decided on, the digital board needs to be constructed. Materials like steel and PVC will compose the main body of the digital board. This is the component that will provide strength and longevity to this sign type. It will also house the screens and technology required to make them functional.

Once the main body of the digital board is established, the screens and electronic components need to be installed. It is essential that the housing for these digital boards is completely waterproof; otherwise, the sign won’t be functional, and it can actually be hazardous. The screens will be either LCD screens or LED screens depending on their intended use.

Once each component of the billboard is in place and secure, it’s time to program it. Depending on the needs of your business, your digital board can have scrolling text, constant text, images, or even videos. You can have the same content every day or change it up on a predetermined schedule. The best thing about digital boards is how easily they can be modified to promote new content, so it’s always a great idea to take advantage of that if you’ll be investing in this sign type.

How Can Digital Boards Be Customized?

Digital signage can come in a lot of forms, so there is essentially an unlimited level of customization available. You can choose what to display and when, how often the image changes, if it does at all, and what kind of structure your digital board is a part of. Depending on your location and business type, you may decide to combine your digital board with awning construction, pylon signage, and more. Digital boards can be used to simply advertise the name of your business, provide contact information, scroll through products, or even be used for wayfinding purposes. Digital boards can also come in a variety of sizes. Some can be as large as billboards to really grab attention from a distance, and others can be more intimate to share extra details about your business or help people choose products or find their way around. With all of these customizable features available to you, you can achieve exactly the kind of digital board your business needs to accomplish even greater success.

What Is the Price Range?

Digital boards are one of the most varied types of signs when it comes to pricing. Some will cost you less than $100, and others can cost well over $30,000. It all depends on the structure that the board will be placed in, how bright it needs to be, the resolution of the screen, and how many custom elements you will be asking for. Clearly, the more complex and demanding the project is, the more it will cost. Most custom digital signs will run between five and ten thousand dollars, but that is a very general estimation. All it takes is a conversation and a question to see if you can get everything you need for a lower price. We prioritize our clients above all else, so we’d be happy to work out a design that gives you all the pieces you’re looking for without breaking the bank. We have a lot of experience adhering to budgets, no matter how tight they may get at times.

Our Digital Board Manufacturing Service

Here at PM Signs, we strive to bring you the best resolution and quality to meet your digital board needs. We have a lot of experience in this area, and we’ve handled nearly every kind of client there is. No matter what you have in mind for your custom digital board or how much guidance you’ll need along the way, our extensive team is here for you.

With highly qualified designers on hand at all times, we can help you decide on the best size, placement, and surroundings for your digital board. If you are coming to us with a vision already in mind, our experienced team can turn your ideas into a workable plan for the rest of our staff to follow up on.

Once your design elements have been finalized, our team will work tirelessly to bring that design to life. With high quality materials and a breadth of knowledge, the members of our fabrication team strive to deliver perfection. Our installation technicians are also some of the best in the business, so you can be guaranteed high quality performance from start to finish. Since digital boards nearly always require other sign types as well, you’ll be working with a larger range of our employees than most clients get to experience. We may even enjoy seeing the final product installed more than you do.

Our digital board manufacturing process ensures that your custom sign is completed on time and without error. Plus, we’ll stick to your budget without fail. We understand how important your sign is to your business, and that’s why your business is important to us.