What is a digital poster? All that you need to know

Weekends in Singapore can be pretty laid back, especially if you are more of a Netflix-type than one hanging out with friends.

Strolling down a deserted pathway leading up to the theatre, I’m humming a soft tune my favorite band just released; uh-h-h-hold!

I quickly take two steps back to see a screen on the footpath saying, at half of usual, we love Sundays - Gajah.

My brain: So this show at the Gajah Gallery is at half the price today?

My brain (again): Yes

My brain (yet again): And it’s like a 6 mins drive if I call a cab right now

My brain (one last time): You DESERVE THIS!

During the Uber ride, I notice several such e-standees popped out here and there, informing me of the same. Boy, those bright and shiny digital posters are hard to ignore!

Even under the blazing sunlight, high-resolution screens rapidly grab the attention.

So, What is a Digital Poster?

We are used to seeing printed posters- of movies, celebrities, protest & campaign slogans, educational posters & various advertisement posters. But these often end up clogging the drainage or polluting landfills after their purpose expires.

Not environment-friendly.

Static posters also involve a lot of effort- from printing to distribution.

Again, not very efficient.

Enter digital posters. These are digital screens that show the same message but have a far wider reach and better visual appeal.

One significant difference between a printed poster and one done digitally is that the latter allows you to integrate multimedia files such as videos, animations, and 3D effects.

You can instantly design any content and publish it on your screens using a digital signage software application like Pickcel. Content can also be scheduled for auto-publishing.

5 examples of what digital posters could look like

Posters are so versatile and fun that you can literally welcome your birthday party guests with a cool poster of a piñata cake, and everyone will notice it. But what are the most common types of posters that can be made digital for better visibility?

Let’s see a few examples.

Example #1: New Launch Poster

Advertisement posters are never going out of fashion. Product launch announcements and the schedule of an upcoming event can get an edge with bright images and videos of the latest innovation shown on a digital poster.

Example #2: Festive Poster

Oh, it’s that time of the year!

Digital posters on an outdoor display screen are great for sending a festive vibe throughout the city. Whether it’s an animated Santa Claus swooshing down snowclad slopes on Christmas Eve or a tempting Thanksgiving offer on savories from your favorite bakeries - nothing beats a charming

Example #3: Event Poster

Digital posters can be your go-to-buddy for events. Be it an investors’ meet, designathons or more, a digital poster with the perfect catchphrase can make (and not break) your chance. Here’s your space to bring out your creative genius, so buckle up and get your promo right!

Example #4: Hiring season Poster

When in a lookout for fresh talent, it’s time to get a few of your digital posters out near educational institions and cafes! The new-age workforce loves everything on-screen and this is that opportunity that can get some energetic and enthusiastic minds on-board!

Example #5: Campaign Poster

To tell the truth, this has all of my attention!

A digital image can also be powerful tool for sharing public service announcements and promoting social awareness campaigns. Whether it is the government bodies or private businesses, electronic campaign signs can be well-received by the public as opposed to their traditional static counterparts.

7 tips for creating a stellar digital poster

What is your idea of a good poster, digital or not?

Shouldn’t it be easy to read, understand, and comprehend? Well, then, you are on the right track! Let’s get some tips and tricks to ace the game now!

#1 Be clear about the idea you wish to communicate

The very basic (indeed)!

Zero down on the points you want to be covered in your poster - be it informing about an event, a new launch, or a seminar, and communicate as compactly as possible. Remember, no one has the time to read up the tales to tell (do that at your event, not on the poster).You can check professional poster templates to get some inspiration.

#2 Legibility all the way

Yep, I’m talking about the font and words used here.

Make sure to have a font size visible from a distance (mainly if you chose a digital footpath display). Aligning your motion graphics with the font you use to write gives it the best visual appeal! Use simple, thought-provoking copies that influence the viewer to check out what you plan to showcase.

#3 Remember, the sun is bright

Digital posters are commonly used for DOOH advertising. The sun’s dazzling presence can quickly overshadow your outdoor poster, so make sure to focus on the brightness and contrast of your content during the design process.

#4 Blend it right

Another important step!

Make sure to balance using video, animations, and transition effects alongside the texts and images you use. These quick attention-grabbers will make your audience want to learn more about your business.

The digital poster you design should effectively use a blend of colors and graphics, making it eye-catching yet not Over-The-Top (make notes, besties). If you are going in for a theme color that has significance to the concept you intend to focus on, make sure you put a one-liner at the bottom stating it.

#5 Get a design tool that suits the best

A good design is like the cherry atop that slice of Blackforest cake!

Design tools such as Canva and many of the Canva alternatives like Desygner, Pickmonkey, or Visme offer excellent flexibility and customizations, leading to some real jaw-dropping results. Many of these design tools have unbelievably attractive free features, and the in-app tutorials are good enough to get you started, even if you are not a professional designer.

#6 Don’t forget the CTA

A call to action (examples: “Scan this QR to follow us” or “visit your nearest outlet today”) is what makes and breaks a business (get it wrong and kaboom 😑 ). So, once done with all the note-worthy designs and a catchphrase, ensure that element of excitement is right there! Something which turns that potential buyer into a customer.

#7 Choose the right software

Now that you have the layout for a digital poster in hand, the next step is to choose the right signage software. Cloud platforms are more lucrative than on-premise software. You can remotely monitor, control, and change the posters according to location, viewership, and messaging needs.

Why Digital posters are the future of advertising

Digital posters are the front-runner in business communication and marketing for the right reasons! Compared to traditional static vinyl boards or flyers,creating digital posters is cheaper,these also have a better reach, and can be easily altered or adjusted from time to time.

Moreover, the dynamic content ensures more effective communication, showing your innovative skills and getting those brownie points for engagement. Since a digital poster is much easier to update than any form of traditional media, it is increasingly becoming that zero-in for startups and multinationals alike - lower upfront cost, significant impact!