Everything You Need To Know About A Digital Poster

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.

What is a digital poster?

A digital poster is a visual communication medium that presents information on-screen, typically in a graphical format. It combines text, images, and multimedia elements to convey a message or share information in a visually engaging manner.

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 and publish any content on your screens using a digital signage software application like Pickcel, even scheduling it for auto-publishing.

is here to help!

Types of digital posters

Digital posters can be categorized based on their content dynamics and interactivity. Here are the commonly seen types

1. Static digital poster

A static e-poster displays fixed, non-moving content, much like a traditional printed poster but on a digital screen.

2. Dynamic digital poster

Dynamic digital posters feature moving images, animations, or multimedia formats like videos and motion graphics. These are often used when there is a need to regularly update content, such as airports, malls, or public service announcements.

3. Interactive digital poster

An interactive digital poster is designed to engage viewers by allowing them to interact with the content. Such signs can be used for kiosks, surveys, or any scenario requiring user input or feedback.

5 examples of what digital posters could look like

Read on to learn about the five dynamic concepts showcasing innovation from festive vibes to impactful campaigns.

Let us 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 is that time of the year!

Digital posters on an outdoor display screen send 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 - no traditional posters can come close!

Example #3: Event poster

Digital posters can be your go-to buddy for events. Be it an investors’ meeting, designations, or more, a digital poster with the perfect catchphrase can make (and not break) your chance. Here is your space to bring out your creative genius, so buckle up to flourish in the digital signage market!

Example #4: Hiring season poster

When looking for fresh talent, it is time to get these types of digital posters out near educational institutions and cafes! The new-age workforce loves everything on-screen, and this opportunity can get some energetic and enthusiastic minds on board!

Example #5: Campaign Poster

This has all of my attention!

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

7 tips for creating a stellar digital poster

Understanding the significance of digital signage is paramount for businesses. Its vast reach, flexibility, and higher ROI set it apart from traditional print media. But what truly defines a stellar digital poster? It should be easy to read, understand, and comprehend. Here are some easy steps to creating one

#1 Be clear about the idea you wish to communicate

The very basic (indeed)!

Decide on the main message for your poster. Decide if it is an event, product launch, or seminar, and communicate as compactly as possible. Remember, no one has the time to read up your 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.

For an impactful digital poster, especially one for the outdoors, choose bold headings between 48pt-72pt, with subheadings and body text slightly smaller. Prioritize high contrast colors, like black on white, and maintain a consistent theme-aligned palette. Opt for legible sans-serif fonts, using 2-3 styles at most. Aligning your motion graphics with the font you use to write gives it the best visual appeal!

#3 Remember, the sun is bright

Digital posters are commonly used for DOOH advertising. For digital posters, optimal brightness and contrast hinge on location. Indoors, aim for 200-500 nits brightness with a minimum contrast ratio of 1000:1. Outdoors, given sunlight’s influence, target 1500-2500 nits brightness and a contrast ratio above 5000:1. Consider adaptive brightness for variable lighting and calibrate based on content and environment to ensure clarity and viewer comfort.

#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-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 a slice of cake!

Design tools like Canva and many of the Canva alternatives like Desygner, Pickmonkey, or Visme offer excellent flexibility and customizations, leading to some 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

Digital posters primarily use LCD and LED screens, with choices influenced by location, brightness, and budget. These screens often boast 4K HD resolution, ensuring clarity based on the viewer’s proximity. For added interactivity, especially in kiosks, digital pens can be incorporated. Dedicated media players, compact computers, and connectivity tools like HDMI or Wi-Fi can facilitate efficient content updates.

From a software perspective, cloud platforms offer a cost-effective alternative to on-premise solutions, enabling remote monitoring and poster adjustments based on location, audience, and messaging requirements.

Additionally, a centralized CMS manages displays across various locations. Analytics tools are invaluable in assessing and refining the message impact, and specialized software ensures seamless user interactions for those incorporating interactivity.

Why digital posters are the future of advertising

Digital posters are the front-runner in business communication and marketing for the right reasons! Creating digital posters is cheaper than traditional static vinyl boards or flyers. These also have a better reach and can occasionally be easily altered or adjusted.

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