In the fast-moving world of retail, being able to react quickly and efficiently to changing market conditions and customer demands is key. Traditional print solutions are often too slow and rigid to keep up. That’s where e-paper displays come in, providing the perfect addition to your digital signage setup. These displays are sustainable, cost-effective, and centrally controlled—easily replacing printed posters. Retailers can reduce their carbon footprint and minimize logistical challenges and error margins caused by print.
Let’s dive into how e-paper can complement digital signage and what it brings to the retail sector.
What’s e-paper all about?
E-paper is a tech that mimics the look of ink on paper—both in black & white and color. These advanced digital displays show static content without constantly consuming power, making them super energy efficient. The battery lasts forever, and with solar-powered e-paper, you never have to worry about power. Plus, it’s centrally managed, so you can update content in real time, skipping all the hassle of print media.
Quick tech talk: e-paper works by using microcapsules filled with charged particles that move when an electric field is applied, displaying text and images in any color you want
E-paper vs. digital signage
At First Impression, we see e-paper as the ultimate replacement for lightboxes and printed POS materials. With its unique features—no light source needed, no power plug required, and centrally managed content—it’s an amazing communication tool.
E-paper adds real value to your overall store communication. It’s super readable even in bright, sunlit areas, making it a flexible solution for different retail spaces.
One of the biggest wins? Just like digital signage, e-paper allows for centrally controlled content. Retailers can respond to changes in stock or pricing fast, without the limits of print media—saving big on costs. With e-paper displays, logistics costs like transporting printed materials are dramatically reduced. Plus, you can say goodbye to late deliveries or posters being hung incorrectly.
But will e-paper completely replace digital signage? Probably not. It can’t match the impact of moving, dynamic 3D content. And right now, display sizes are still limited—there are no displays larger than 32”. E-paper also doesn’t deliver the rich, vibrant colors of LED technology just yet, and image transitions currently take around 30 seconds.
Where to use e-paper displays
For grabbing attention and sharing your brand story, LCD and LED displays still reign supreme due to their dynamic nature. But in areas where content changes frequently, and full-on digital signage isn’t cost-effective, e-paper displays offer a super-efficient, sustainable solution:
1. Promo zones
Think of sections of the store where promotions or product info are updated regularly. E-paper displays can quickly show new information without a single sheet of paper. Perfect for hotspots like promo boards in shop windows, inside the stores, checkout areas, and digital menu boards in food courts.
2. Wayfinding & navigation
E-paper is great for interactive maps and wayfinding in large shopping centers, multi-level stores, or department stores. The content is mostly static but can be updated quickly for special events or promotions.
3. Product and information displays
Make it easy for customers to get product info, like descriptions, ingredients, or instructions—no staff needed.
What’s next for e-paper?
As retailers are always searching for more efficient, eco-friendly ways to engage customers, e-paper looks like a promising solution. The technology is evolving fast, and larger displays—up to 32”—are already showing up in stores. Looking ahead, we’re likely to see 55” or even 75” displays, with big names like Samsung already dropping hints.
Curious about how e-paper displays can enhance your store communication? Get in touch with one of our experts.
* Header picture: Samsung