What Are the DOOH Billboard Ad Specifications and Design Guidelines?

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 large 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:
  • Typically 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 whenever possible for scalability.

File Formats

• Deliver final files in commonly accepted formats:
  • Static Ads: PNG or JPEG (high quality)
  • Video Ads: MP4 (H.264 codec preferred)
• Always confirm specific requirements with your media provider.

Safe Zones

• Leave a margin around critical content (logos, text, etc.) to ensure nothing is cropped due to screen bezel variances.
• Use 5–10% of the total width and 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.
• Ensure font size is 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: Text should be legible from 10–15 feet away.

Compression

• Optimize file size for quick loading without compromising visual quality:
  • Static Images: Compress using lossless methods.
  • Videos: Maintain a high enough bitrate to preserve clarity.

Motion and Animation (for Video Ads)

• Use smooth transitions and animations to attract attention.
• Avoid rapid flashes or excessive movement that may distract or annoy viewers.
• Keep 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 your target screens, you can create effective and visually appealing DOOH billboard ads.