Common DOOH Screen Dimensions

Highway Digital Billboards

• Standard Sizes:

  • 1408 x 400 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD, scalable for larger displays)

  • 3840 x 1080 pixels (ultra-wide for panoramic displays)

• Resolution:

  • High resolution recommended (72–150 DPI)

  • Ensure files can scale for massive displays.

Stadium Screens

• Standard Sizes:

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD for general use)

  • 2560 x 1440 pixels (higher resolution for larger stadiums)

  • 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K for premium clarity)

• Aspect Ratios:

  • Often widescreen (16:9 or 21:9).

  • Confirm with venue for unique screen shapes or configurations.

Mall and Retail Screens

• Standard Sizes:

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels (portrait orientation)

  • 1200 x 1600 pixels (square or nearly square screens)

  • 1920 x 1080 pixels (landscape orientation)

• Aspect Ratios:

  • 9:16 for portrait.

  • 16:9 for landscape.

Elevator Screens

• Standard Sizes:

  • 800 x 1280 pixels (portrait, smaller scale)

  • 720 x 1080 pixels (compact and vertical)

  • 1080 x 1920 pixels (for higher-resolution installations)

• Aspect Ratios:

  • Primarily 9:16 or slightly altered.

Design Guidelines

Scalability

• Design at the highest resolution possible to ensure clarity on large screens.

• Use vector-based elements wherever possible for scalability.

File Formats

• Deliver final files in commonly accepted formats such as:

  • Static Ads: PNG or JPEG (high quality).

  • Video Ads: MP4 (H.264 codec preferred).

• Always confirm specific requirements with the media provider.

Safe Zones

• Leave a margin around critical content (logos, text, etc.) to ensure it isn’t cropped due to screen bezel variances.

• Use 5-10% of the total width/height as a guide for the safe zone.

Brightness and Contrast

• Use vibrant colors and high contrast for visibility in outdoor settings and bright ambient lighting.

• Test for readability from a distance and in various lighting conditions.

Typography

• Use bold, sans-serif fonts for maximum legibility.

• Font size should be large enough to be read from a distance:

  • Highway Billboards: Minimum 1 foot of letter height for every 10 feet of viewing distance.

  • Indoor Screens: Ensure text remains legible from 10-15 feet away.

Compression

• Optimize file size for quick loading but avoid compromising visual quality:

  • Static Images: Compress using lossless methods.

  • Videos: Keep bitrate high enough to preserve clarity.

Motion and Animation (for Video Ads)

• Use smooth transitions and animations to draw attention.

• Avoid rapid flashes or excessive movement that may distract or annoy viewers.

• Keep the video loop duration between 10-15 seconds.

Message Hierarchy

1. Primary Message: Ensure the main message (headline or call-to-action) is prominent and easy to read.

2. Secondary Information: Use smaller text for supporting details (e.g., website, phone number).

3. Branding: Include a logo or brand element prominently but not overwhelmingly.

Testing and Proofing

• Test designs on screens of varying sizes to ensure proper scaling and readability.

• Review colors and contrast under real-world conditions (e.g., daylight for outdoor ads).

• Get approval from venue operators to confirm compatibility with their screen specifications.

Checklist for Final Deliverables

1. Resolution and Dimensions: Ensure files meet the specific requirements of the target screen.

2. File Format: Verify compatibility (PNG, JPEG, or MP4).

3. Safe Zones: Double-check that all critical elements are within safe zones.

4. Brightness and Contrast: Ensure visibility in all lighting conditions.

5. File Naming: Use clear, standardized file names (e.g., ClientName_Location_Size_Date).

By following these guidelines and tailoring your designs to the specific dimensions and conditions of the target screens, you can create effective and visually appealing DOOH billboard ads.