Focus on your establishment, not the product

The primary focus of your electronic message center is to get eyes on your business. You want to drive attention to it, and not the products. Advertise nightly specials and special events. Mention product names when the local regulations allow it, but don't make that the primary focus.

Text versus photos

Both text and photos can be effective on an electronic message center. Use photos when your EMC is high enough. If you have a single color message center, photos won't work. Also, if you have a long viewing distance/long line of sight and your message center has a high enough resolutions, use photos with a high dpi (dots per inch) count.

Text is most effective, but images can provide a break in this type of message. This change keeps people interested by not looking at the same message or type of message over and over again.

Message center resolution

If you're buying an electronic message center, one of the first things to consider is its overall size. This, combined with the matrix — the number of pixels high by the number of pixels wide — will determine the message center's resolution. The smaller the pixel pitch, the more pixels per square foot you have and the better resolution you have.

A 25 millimeter pixel pitch means there are 25 millimeters from center to center of each pixel. Twenty-five millimeters is one inch. Depending upon the viewing distance of your electronic message center, this may be enough. Longer viewing distances may need a tighter pixel pitch like a 20 millimeter pitch.

Using an electronic message center will depend on several factors, the first being where your establishment is located. The viewing distance may affect the kinds of text and photos you use. And of course, the pixel pitch you choose will allow you to use photos of certain sizes and resolution.

Consider all of these factors, and talk with your local SIGNARAMA store owner, to determine the best electronic message center or digital sign for your bar or restaurant.