There are many standard OLED displays on the market, ranging from small PMOLED displays to smartphone-sized AMOLEDs with embedded touch abilities (and even larger ones, of course). As every company wants the optimum display for its product, many reach out to us to assist with designing a custom OLED for their project. But what does this process really entail? And who it is right for?

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Does it make sense to engage an OLED display maker with a custom display? It depends on your application, budget and volume requirement. As you will see below, creating a custom OLED is never a simple project and will require a hefty sum (tooling fee, also referred to by some as NRE, or Non-Recurring Engineering) and a large minimum order requirement (MOQ). Remember that the OLED industry is still an emerging one and the displays (and all related services) are relatively expensive compared to LCDs.

Even if the project budget and volume can support the costs of creating a custom OLED, there will also be engineering limitations. For example, a PMOLED display is limited in resolution, and a transparent OLED's transmissiveness will be limited and also depends on the required resolution (display density) and color depth.

Custom PMOLEDs

PMOLED displays are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors, resolutions and features (flexibility and transparency, for example). Most PMOLED makers will be happy, though, to engage in a custom display project.

Our experience shows that such projects will require a one-time tooling fee of around $30,000 to $100,000 USD. The exact sum depends on the display size, resolution, colors, features and of course the PMOLED maker itself. In addition to this one-time fee, PMOLED makers also require an MOQ of around 10,000 to 50,000 units.

It is important to note that if your project indeed requires tens of thousands of units, adding the one-time tooling fee may become less significant.

Custom AMOLEDs

AMOLED displays are much more complicated than PMOLED displays - and the cost of production is much higher. Compared to the relativity lower cost of a custom PMOLED, a custom AMOLED is more expensive. We estimate that any custom AMOLED project will entail a tooling fee of at least $3 million to $5 million, with an MOQ of at least 100,000 units.

These high costs and order requirements mean that only very large volume projects actually make sense - projects such as smartphones or wearable devices - and those where the producers can actually commit to these funds in advance.

Custom OLED microdisplays

OLED microdisplays are very high end displays aimed towards near-eye displays. A microdisplay is usually under 1-inch in diameter with resolutions of VGA or higher. These displays also tend to be quite expensive - traditionally prices have been in the area of $500 or so per display.

In the last few months, cheaper OLED microdisplays have been appearing, for example these Sony 0.5" XGA panels that are available from a clearance sale or BOE's high-end 0.39" FHD microdisplays which are in production and offered at an attractive cost (around $100 - $130 depending on the volume).

The OLED Microdisplay Market is limited with only a handful of available panels. Companies such as eMagin, BOE, MicroOLED and others may be contracted to produce a custom microdisplay - but it is likely that costs will be extremely high. We do not have an estimate of such a project.

Customizing connectors, touch panels, etc

It is important to note that a display module can be customized in other ways besides the OLED panel itself - for example the connector design or the touch panel. The costs of producing a customized touch panel or connector are far lower compared to the costs of customizing the display itself - and can sometimes come to a few hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Find the right OLED for your project

If you want to adopt an OLED display in your device, we suggest to first try to find a suitable standard OLED. A good place to start is our OLED Marketplace - where we list over a hundred different OLED panels from several producers.

If you cannot find a suitable standard OLED, and the project requires a large volume of displays, you can consider a custom OLED. Contact us if you need assistance in such cases - we can help identify the right OLED producer, connect you to him and help initiate your project.

What is Customizable on an OLED Display?

OLED is something we hear almost everywhere nowadays. This advanced display technology has even been used by over one billion smartphones around the globe.

But the potential OLEDs can provide goes beyond just smartphones. From the biggest and latest tech releases to futuristic innovations, custom OLEDs have a lot to offer for industries of all kinds.

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Curious? Perhaps you've been on the lookout for a better-quality display for your electronics, but you aren't sure where to look.

Find out how to customize an OLED display and the ways its power and versatility can innovate your business. 

What are OLED Displays?

Organic Light-Emitting Diode displays, OLEDs in short, are in the spotlight of the tech industry, and for good reason. Compared to traditional LCD displays that require a backlight, OLED screens are known as 'self-emissive,' which means that each pixel in the display can emit its own light.

The color and intensity of the light emitted by each pixel can be controlled exactly as needed. This means that OLEDs can provide overall better images ' deep blacks, rich colors, and high-contrast ratios ' offering a much more immersive viewing experience.

OLEDs are also great for small screens because of their versatility and efficiency. These displays can provide quality images even on small screens, and no matter how small a screen, many businesses nowadays are looking for. Their thin and lightweight design fits portable devices perfectly, too.

With their stunning visuals, energy efficiency, and flexibility, custom OLED displays are undoubtedly shaping the future of visual communication and innovation across industries.

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OLED vs TFT

When it comes to display technologies, OLEDs and TFTs are two of the most popular options. But you can't just point blindly among the two and call it a day. Knowing their different characteristics can help you know which is better for your business and save you money in the long run. 

As mentioned, OLEDs (specifically AMOLEDs) are the top choice if you're looking for a great-quality screen. That being said, it is not yet a widely adopted display technology within every industry because of their higher power consumption, making these displays inefficient for low-power environments. These, however, are highly popular for consumer devices and various equipment.

Meanwhile, (Thin Film Transistor) TFT technology is a more advanced version of LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays), using a thin film of transistors compared to a single layer. With the creating of IPS TFTs, the quality of display on a TFT now rivals the AMOLED, however it is still only considered second place. TFTs, conversely, are more energy efficient and rugged compared to OLEDs and can work better in outdoor environments.

Knowing these, you can have a better idea of which display technology will suit your business better. 

Options to Customize OLED Screens

Are you considering an OLED display? Here are the many ways you can customize this outstanding screen to suit whatever your business needs.

• Color Calibration: OLED displays can provide precise color calibration options. This means you could make very specific adjustments to factors like the color temperature, saturation, and hue to achieve the visual aesthetic you desire.
• Brightness Control: Users can customize the brightness levels of OLED screens. These screens apply to different lighting conditions, whether it's a dimly lit room or a bright workspace.
• Interface: Choose the interface you need. Whether your applications requires a serial or parallel communication, OLEDs can be adapted to match your needs.
• Added-Value Components:  Is the OLED alone not enough?  PCBs can be added to assist with mounting or alternate connections.  Cover glass can be added with or without touch panel to provide the best User Interface.  And endless other options of adding to your module.

These customizable features can empower businesses to drive efficiency with their teams and resonate with their target audience ' whichever way suits your needs.

The possibilities are virtually endless, giving your business the chance to stand out.

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Common Custom OLED Display Applications

Because of how much OLEDs can be customized, these can be used in many ways. Take a look at some of the most common OLED display applications to see how they fit yours.

• Wearable Technology: OLED displays are perfect for smartwatches, fitness trackers, body censors, and more. These provide vibrant visuals and energy-saving performance in compact form factors.
• Healthcare Monitoring: Small OLED displays are also used a lot in the medical field, installed in medical devices such as pulse oximeters, glucose meters, and patient monitoring systems. These screens deliver clear and easy-to-read data for healthcare professionals and patients.
• Automotive Instrumentation: OLED screens are a preferred choice for car dashboards, infotainment systems, and heads-up displays (HUDs), showing essential information to drivers with crisp clarity and minimal distraction.
• Consumer Electronics: From digital cameras and handheld gaming consoles to remote controls and portable media players, OLED displays enhance the user experience in a wide range of consumer electronics devices.
• Industrial Control Panels: Small OLED displays are also integrated into industrial control panels, machinery interfaces, and equipment monitors. These systems equip operators with real-time data and status updates in manufacturing and automation environments.

These applications are just a glimpse of the versatility and effectiveness of small OLED displays across industries. These screens are renowned for their slim profiles, vibrant colors, and energy-efficient performance. 

What to Look for When Choosing Custom OLED Displays

It can be a bit daunting to choose the right OLED display for your business or project. After all, it's a crucial decision to make when investing. Listed below are a few key factors to consider.

• Display Size: Find out the screen size and resolution you need. You can base this on your application and display viewing angle.
• Color Quality: Consider factors such as color gamut, contrast ratio, and color uniformity to produce the right visuals for your business.
• Visibility: Assess the brightness levels of OLED displays, especially if they will be used in bright environments or outdoor settings. Opt for displays with adjustable brightness settings or high peak brightness for enhanced visibility in various lighting conditions.
• Durability: Evaluate the lifespan of OLED displays, particularly for applications requiring long-term use or when exposed to harsh conditions. For instance, are you working in an explosive environment? You might want to consider other display types.
• Compatibility: Look for displays that can seamlessly integrate with your hardware and software system for a seamless experience.
• Cost: Consider your budget constraints when choosing OLED displays. Compare prices, features, and value propositions across different models and manufacturers to find the best balance between performance and affordability for your project.

Carefully assessing these factors makes it easier to select OLED displays that meet your needs and deliver impressive visuals.

The Bottom Line

OLED displays can be customized in many ways, letting businesses and developers design these powerful and versatile screens for their specific preferences.

Through the many customization options, businesses can create engaging and immersive visual displays that enhance productivity, engage audiences, and drive success.

So, whether it's crafting dynamic digital displays, designing intuitive user interfaces, or delivering personalized content, custom OLED displays offer the flexibility and versatility to bring ideas to life with stunning precision.

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