This is one of the first questions everyone asks, but with the many ways we can customize your sign, it’s difficult to provide you with a fast and easy answer. For a frame of reference, small scrolling window signs like our Versa Scrolling LED’s start at $500, mid-sized and multi-layer signs start at $2,000 and can run upwards of $10,000, depending on the pitch, size, colors, base, and more. While, the largest sign we designed to date was for NASA—and cost over $50,000. When asking “How much does digital signage cost?” the factors below must be taken into consideration.
Sign Size
One of the first factors to consider is how large you would like your new sign to be. Small scrolling window signs, similar to what many gas stations have, start at around $500. These miniature signs are lightweight, and you can install them yourself in a window or mount them to a wall.
We can custom-build your sign in any square or rectangular size you would like. The larger the sign the greater the cost.
Text-Only Or Full Function
Next, you must consider if you want a sign that can only post text, basic graphics, and animation or if you would like a full-function sign that can post text, HD images, videos, and motion graphics. Don’t count text-only signs out as they can be a powerful way to advertise and communicate.
Our text-only signs come with a remote keyboard so that you or any of your team members can update the text in real-time. Choose from 38 character functions, 32 special effects, and over 300 animations and graphics.
Full-function HD signs deliver crystal-clear and life-like images and videos, as well as text and advanced static and 3D graphics. They can be updated from any computer with internet access and the software that comes with your sign. Some of our signs are utilized primarily for presentations, such as on-stage, event, and stadium LEDs.
Single, Tri, Or Full-Color
Our HD signs can generate over 1.7 billion colors to ensure that any ad, promotion, or messaging your sign designer creates can be featured in full and realistic color.
Our text-only scrolling signs can be built in single, tri, or full color—with red, white, yellow, green, and blue being the most popular colors. However, you can choose a variety of other colors for single and tri-color signs.
How Much Does Digital Signage Cost—Indoor Or Outdoor?
Each of our signs is custom-built and can include weatherproof components, which cost more than the components for indoor signs.
We’ve designed signs for clients in every climate and weather condition in the US and Canada, including rain, snow, ice, dry heat, and humidity. Our signs are tested to operate in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 160 degrees. These signs will work anywhere in the world! Except of course Antarctica in the deep winter, but maybe we should find alternative methods of advertising for penguins!
Our indoor signs also have components to ensure that they don’t overheat and can operate in cooler indoor climates, but the components aren’t as advanced as our outdoor signs.
Viewing Distance
Next up, you need to determine how far away you want your customers, employees, or guests to be able to view your new sign. This part gets a bit technical as it involves pixels and pitch. The smaller the number, the higher the resolution. The bigger the pitch, the farther the viewing distance.
Our small scrolling signs can be built with 30, 26, 20, or 15 millimeter pixels for viewing of up to 200 feet. This is ideal for foot traffic, strip malls, gas stations, and cars driving directly past your sign.
Large and mid-sized signs with full HD capabilities can be built with 6, 8, and 10 millimeter pixels to be viewed from several blocks away—even as far away as the freeway. For example, a hotel sign to share vacancies or gas station pricing.
Sign Layers
A solo sign can drive engagement and conversions, but for maximum impact consider layering one or two LED signs. A few options to consider include:
- Layering a logo/business name ID cabinet over a scrolling sign.
- Layering a full-HD sign over a scrolling sign.
- Layering two text-only signs, one with a static message and one with a scrolling message.
- Creating a video wall for oversized displays.
- Layering a logo/business name ID cabinet over an HD sign and scrolling sign.
One Or Two-Sided
If you want your sign to be viewed from both sides, it will double the cost. Most interior signs are one-sided, but if you’ll be placing your sign outdoors along a roadway you may prefer a two-sided sign. However, some outdoor signs are angled in a manner that one-sided works just fine. Or, if it’s mounted to a building, one side is all you need.
Base, Mount, And Frame
Small scrolling signs are a fast and easy DIY install, mid-size signs can be installed in a manner similar to a flatscreen TV, and large signs require professional installation.
For larger signs, we’ll have to come and assess your mounting structure or mounting location. We may be able to mount to an existing wall or building exterior or we may need to create a custom mount.
Outdoor signs require an aluminum frame, which can be a standard square or rectangle or a stylized shape.
We can also design decorative brick, aluminum, or steel bases to blend in with your building exterior. This includes steel bases capable of securely mounting billboard-sized LEDs.
Your options are endless but the taller and more intricate your base, mount, and frame—the more your sign will cost.
How Much Does Digital Signage Cost?
As you can see, there are a variety of factors that must be taken into consideration before you can answer the question of “How much does digital signage cost?”. You may not be completely sure of what you need, so browsing our portfolio may help. As you will see, there are several industry-specific best practices for LED sign design.
Not to worry if you are overwhelmed by your options, as the team at Mega LED Technology knows what questions to ask to help you determine your needs. Reach out today for your free LED sign quote!
