How to Choose Electronic Label Display?

Choosing the right Electronic Label Display (ELD) depends on your application, whether for retail shelves, warehouses, smart offices, or industrial tracking.

1. Display Technology

E-Ink (e-paper): Low power, high readability, great for static or slow-changing information like prices and inventory. Excellent visibility under bright light.

LCD/TFT: Supports color, backlighting, and animations. Good for dynamic or multimedia content, but consumes more power.

OLED: High contrast, vivid colors, thin design. Better for premium or design-focused labels, though costlier.

2. Size & Form Factor

Small (1–3 inches): Price tags, product info, name badges.

Medium (4–7 inches): Shelf labels, meeting room signage.

Large (8+ inches): Warehouse displays, logistics tracking, digital signage.

3. Connectivity

RF (e.g., 2.4 GHz, proprietary): Low-power, suitable for centralized retail systems.

Wi-Fi: High-speed, flexible, but consumes more power.

Bluetooth/BLE: Short-range, mobile-friendly, useful for personal/office labeling.

NFC: Good for quick updates or interaction with smartphones.

4. Power Source

Coin-cell battery: Typical for E-ink labels, lasting months to years.

Rechargeable battery/USB-C: Better for frequently updated or multimedia displays.

Energy harvesting (solar/light-powered): Sustainable option for retail/warehouse with strong lighting.

5. Durability & Environment

Operating temperature range: Needed for cold storage, warehouses, or outdoor use.

Water/dust resistance (IP rating): Essential in industrial or food retail.

Shock resistance: For logistics, tracking, or mobile asset tagging.

6. Content & Update Frequency

Static data (price, ID, QR code): Choose e-ink for long battery life.

Dynamic info (videos, promotions, animations): Use LCD/OLED.

Update frequency: If updates happen once a day, E-ink is ideal; if every few seconds, LCD is better.

7. Integration & Management

Centralized management software: Needed for large retail chains or warehouses.

API compatibility: Ensures integration with ERP, POS, or warehouse management systems.

Security: Look for encrypted communication if handling sensitive data.

8. Cost vs. Scale

Low-cost labels (E-ink, small size): Best for mass retail deployment.

Premium displays (OLED/LCD): Suitable for brand experience or specialized applications.

Rule of Thumb:

Retail shelf pricing → E-ink, small, battery-powered, RF-connected.

Warehouse & logistics → Rugged E-ink/LCD with long range and durability.

Smart offices/meeting rooms → Medium-sized Wi-Fi e-ink/LCD with sleek design.

Dynamic promotions or branding → LCD/OLED, full color, higher power tolerance.