Digital signage is an effective way in which thousands of businesses convey their messages to consumers, and it has been shown to achieve high recall rates and strong customer engagement.
Whether it’s to attract potential clients, advertise special offers, or display job vacancies, digital signage remains an integral part of business communication because it can present information more dynamically and clearly than static signage.
There are two main types of digital signage: indoor and outdoor, each designed for different viewing environments and technical requirements.
Indoor
Indoor signage is a collective term for any sign placed inside of a business, and it is typically targeted toward individuals who have already entered the space and shown interest in exploring what the business offers. Indoor signage can include digital menu boards, lobby displays, and more.
These signs are designed to encourage audiences to take a desired action, such as signing up for a new credit card at a bank or upsizing a meal at a restaurant. Indoor digital signage is particularly effective because viewers are already in a high-intent environment where decision-making happens quickly.
Outdoor
This refers to any signage found outside of the business. They have many uses, ranging from drive-thru menu boards to billboards. Generally, the goal is to get the audience to enter and engage with the business.
Indoor and outdoor displays serve different purposes and operate in different environments. Using the wrong type often leads to visibility issues, damage, and unnecessary replacement costs.
Comparison of Indoor & Outdoor Digital Signage
Sunlight
Have you noticed how difficult it is to watch television when the curtains are open on a bright day? Even when you strain your eyes, details on the screen start to disappear. Outdoors, this problem becomes far more severe because direct noon sunlight can reach close to 100,000 lux, which measures the amount of visible light hitting a surface. That level of brightness easily overwhelms a standard indoor display, which is why outdoor digital signage must be built to operate at much higher brightness levels to stay readable during the day.
Unfortunately, no indoor display can compete with the brightness required for outdoor readability. Consumer-grade indoor TVs operate between 200 and 500 nits, which refers to how bright the screen can get. By contrast, commercial-grade outdoor digital displays typically require at least 2,000 to 3,000 nits of brightness to remain clearly visible.
Using indoor signage outdoors results in wasted power and reduced visibility since indoor screens are not designed to compete with direct sunlight and quickly become difficult to see from a distance. So, passersby are far more likely to overlook the content entirely, which defeats the purpose of outdoor digital signage and limits its ability to attract attention.
On the other hand, when you use outdoor signage for indoor advertising, it causes discomfort. In dimly-lit environments, like restaurant or bars, the bright light from outdoor signage can cause eye irritation, migraines, and even trigger a seizure.
Exposure
As light moves through the atmosphere, it encounters a myriad of tiny particles and obstruction like dust, steam, and suspended water droplets.
These particles distort the light beam by either reflecting, refracting, or absorbing it. The signs will then appear blurry or completely distorted to the human eye.
As a matter of fact, exposure is a common issue that plagues both indoor and outdoor signage. To handle it, you need to analyze two vital factors of the atmosphere; particulate and moisture.
- Particulate – any particles present in the atmosphere. For example, dust and other small airborne particles.
- Moisture – presence of water droplets in the air.
- Commonly observed in restaurants where there is a large concentration of steam caused by boiling water.
Particulate and moisture not only obscure your signage but also cause damage to vital components if they penetrate the signage’s protective light casing. For example, the steam will gather under the light fixture and eventually go through.
Nevertheless, it is much easier to control particulate and moisture in indoor environments.
For outdoor signage, however, it’s a whole other story. Wind can increase the intensity of particle matter and rain – making them extremely aggressive on the display casing.
To standardize protection from these environmental harms, the Ingress Protection (IP) rating system was made.
What is IP Rating?
An IP rating is an international standard guideline used to determine the level of efficacy for protecting light exposures against external objects, as well as the effects of moisture.
When labeling, there are 2 numbers that follow the IP denotation (ex. IP65).
Each number represents a distinct type of protection measure put in place to shield the signage.
First Digit
The first digit denotes intrusion protection (safeguarding against objects, dust particles, etc.), and it runs from 0-6.
It can also be labeled “X” – meaning that there is no rating or protection for that particular signage.
Here is what each number (1 – 6) protects from:
- Massive bodies that have a diameter of 50mm or greater. Ex. animals – rodents or obscurities – arm or a baseball bat.
- Bodies with a length smaller than 80 mm and a maximum diameter of 12 mm. Ex. your middle finger.
- Objects with a 2.5 mm diameter or greater. Ex. small tools – wires.
- Small objects with a diameter of 1mm or greater. Ex. insects
- Dust particles.
- Most common rating in most outdoor fixtures, refers to full protection against all other particles in the atmosphere. The protection use is known as “Dust-tight” – vacuum seal for non-stop airflow.
Second Digit
The second digit denotes protection against different forms of moisture.
Here is what each number (1 – 9) protects from:
- Vertically falling rain that is caused by condensation. Such that when the display is upright, it is fully protected.
- Rain or droplets falling at an angle of 15 degrees.
- Rain or droplets falling at an angle of 60 degrees.
- Splashing water coming from all directions. Before being approved, the fixture is first tested with an oscillating spray a few minutes after the safety measures have been fitted on display.
- Low-pressure jets of water hitting from any direction or angle.
- High-pressure jets.
- Submerged under water for up to 30 minutes at the depth of 0.15 m to 1 m.
- Submerged in high pressure at a large depth.
- High-temperature water sprays, high pressure, and any kind of moisture.
For most outdoor signs, the standard rating is IP65, which denotes that the fixture is “Dust-Tight,” and protected from most moisture effects, including low-pressure jets of water.
Indoor vs Outdoor Digital Signage: Conclusion
Both signage types play a critical role in advertising.
But before buying digital signage, you plan marketing and advertising efforts for the best results.
Once signage is selected, maintenance remains a key factor in ensuring these signs remain efficient and effective for years to come.
You can learn more about NexSigns’ Digital Signage solution and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube to get the latest info on digital signage!
2 comments
Very well written about types of digital signage. You have clearly mentioned difference between both types. Kudos to you!!
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