Vertical digital signage refers to digital display screens positioned in a portrait (vertical) orientation, and it has become a significant tool in modern business communication and marketing. Unlike traditional static signs, which are printed and fixed in place, digital signage allows businesses to present dynamic, multimedia content that can be updated in real-time. This capability means companies can convey timely promotions, videos, and content that captures attention in ways static posters cannot. By leveraging vertical digital displays, businesses can combine the power of digital media with a format that fits naturally into many physical spaces, creating a compelling visual experience for their audience.
Adopting digital signage solutions offers clear advantages over relying on traditional static signs. With digital signage, content updates are quick and cost-effective – there’s no need to reprint materials for every minor change or new campaign. The screens can display rotating messages and eye-catching animations all of which help to engage viewers more effectively than a static sign. Additionally, modern digital signage software enables remote management of content, so a marketing team can instantly push new updates across multiple locations with a few clicks, ensuring messaging stays relevant and consistent. In short, vertical digital signage brings together the flexibility of digital content and the familiarity of a poster-like format, making it an increasingly popular choice for businesses looking to modernize their customer engagement strategy.
Vertical digital signage vs. Horizontal digital signage
Screen orientation plays a pivotal role in how content is perceived. Vertical (portrait) vs. horizontal (landscape) digital signage each offers distinct viewing experiences and engagement strategies. Vertical digital displays are taller and narrower, making them ideal for content like digital menus, directories, or social media feeds that naturally fit a portrait layout. In contrast, horizontal screens, with their wider landscape orientation, are often better for panoramic content like widescreen videos or image slideshows. These differences in screen orientation can directly impact audience engagement. Vertical screens tend to stand out because they break the mold of the typical TV-like display – a portrait sign in a sea of landscape displays is immediately eye-catching and can draw viewers’ attention to your message. Moreover, a vertical setup often aligns better with human posture and scrolling habits (think of how we use smartphones), offering an intuitive viewing experience for certain types of content.
Vertical digital signage also provides unique advantages for specific industries and applications. For example, fashion retailers often use vertical screens to display life-sized posters or models wearing outfits – something that looks more natural in a portrait format. Restaurants love vertical digital menu boards because they can list menu items in a top-to-bottom flow, similar to printed menus, making them easy for customers to read at a glance. In high-traffic areas like malls or airports, a vertical wayfinding display can show a map or directory in a space-efficient manner, guiding visitors effectively. This brings us to another benefit: space utilization. A portrait-oriented screen can fit into narrow spaces such as pillars, small wall nooks, or between architectural features where a wide horizontal screen might not. Vertical displays mounted in elevator lobbies or corridors take up minimal width, allowing for digital signs even when wall space is limited. Despite their smaller footprint, they provide an ultimate viewing experience for content tailored to that orientation – for instance, scrolling announcements or tall infographics utilize the full vertical real estate and appear bold and immersive.
Horizontal displays certainly have their place, especially for video-heavy content and presentations. However, vertical digital signage excels when you want to stack information (like multiple product ads or flight arrival times) or create a digital poster effect. Many businesses are discovering that a mix of both orientations can deliver the best overall engagement: horizontal screens for broad visuals and vertical screens for focused, information-rich content. The key is choosing the orientation that best suits your content and the viewer’s context.
Essential software and hardware for vertical digital signage
Implementing a vertical digital signage solution requires a combination of the right software and hardware. At the core, you need digital signage software and digital signage hardware to get started. The hardware typically includes the digital display itself and a media player device. The display can be any high-definition screen (such as an LCD or LED screen) that supports portrait orientation. In most cases, portrait orientation is really just a matter of how the screen is mounted. Many commercial-grade LCD screens are designed to rotate and operate vertically. These displays might be part of vertical kiosks – freestanding units that house a screen in portrait mode along with a built-in player or computer. Vertical kiosks are popular in retail stores and lobbies because they are all-in-one solutions: a tall screen mounted on a pedestal or enclosure that can be placed anywhere to attract passersby. The media player, on the other hand, is the device that feeds content to the screen. It could be a small computer or specialized signage player (like a Raspberry Pi-based device or an Android HDMI stick) that connects to the display. This player runs your content and ensures that videos, images, and playlists play smoothly on the vertical screen. Screenly users can also use Screenly Anywhere to use any hardware existing hardware that can display a web browser as a sign’s media player.
On the software side, a robust digital signage software platform is essential for managing what appears on your vertical displays. This software allows you to upload content (images, videos, graphics, etc.), organize it into playlists, and schedule when each piece of content should play. A cloud-based solution like Screenly is particularly advantageous for vertical digital signage deployments. Cloud-based digital signage software optimizes performance, management, and content updates by allowing users to control everything from a web browser. Whether you have one screen or a hundred across different locations, a cloud system for digital signage means you can change what’s on any screen in real-time without being on-site. For example, Screenly’s cloud platform lets you drag-and-drop new content, schedule it, and have it display on your portrait-oriented signs within seconds, no matter where the screens are located. This remote management capability is a game-changer for efficiency and ensures your vertical signs are always up-to-date with the latest messaging.
In terms of cutting-edge features, modern vertical digital signage setups can include vertical signage video walls. Video walls are another hardware deployment option: you can combine multiple vertical displays to create one giant portrait-oriented video wall for a stunning effect, useful in large venues or for high-impact advertising. Additionally, mobile connectivity is an important consideration. Screenly digital signage players can support mobile connection with SIM-card add-ons.
To summarize, a successful vertical digital signage deployment will typically include: a high-quality vertical-capable digital display, a reliable media player to run content, sturdy mounting or a vertical kiosk stand for placement, and user-friendly digital signage software (preferably cloud-based like Screenly) to manage it all. With these components in place, businesses can effortlessly publish content to their signs and keep the system running smoothly.
Common use cases for vertical digital signage
Vertical digital signage has been embraced across various industries, thanks to its versatility and impact. Here are some common use cases where vertical screens are making a difference:
Retail advertising and promotions: In retail stores, vertical digital screens can serve as dynamic posters. Placed in window displays or near product shelves, they showcase product advertisements, new arrivals, or flash sales with eye-catching motion. For example, a clothing boutique might use a tall vertical display to run a looping video of models wearing the latest fashion line, effectively turning heads of people walking by. These digital signs engage customers the moment they enter the store, and the content can be tailored throughout the day (e.g., promoting raincoats on a rainy morning, and switching to sunglasses in the afternoon). The result is higher customer engagement and often improved sales – in fact, studies have found that 80% of businesses recorded an increase in sales after deploying digital signage, and nearly one in five viewers make an unplanned purchase of a product promoted on a digital screen. Such statistics underscore how effective well-placed digital screens can be in influencing shopper behavior.
Wayfinding and directories: Vertical displays are naturally suited for wayfinding in places like malls, corporate campuses, hospitals, and airports. Their portrait orientation is perfect for displaying maps, directories, and step-by-step directions in a user-friendly vertical list. For instance, a large hospital can have a vertical digital kiosk at the entrance, where visitors can touch an interactive directory to find their destination ward or office. Because the screen is vertical, it can show a floor map on the upper portion and turn-by-turn text directions on the lower portion, all in one view. These wayfinding signs improve visitor experience by providing clear navigation assistance. In office buildings or universities, vertical digital directories near elevators list companies or departments floor by floor, and can update instantly if there are changes (unlike static directory boards that require reprinting). This use of digital signage not only guides people effectively but also adds a modern touch to the environment.
Digital menu boards in restaurants: Restaurants, cafes, and QSR (quick service restaurants) are rapidly moving from printed menus to digital menu boards, many of which are vertical screens mounted behind the counter or at drive-thrus. Vertical menu boards allow businesses to display their menu in a logical top-to-bottom format, often mirroring the layout of a handheld menu. They can highlight specials or rotate through enticing food images. Because the content is dynamic, a restaurant can change its menu based on the time of day – for example, automatically switching from a breakfast menu in the morning to a lunch menu at midday, then to dinner options in the evening. This flexibility can directly improve sales by ensuring customers see the most relevant offerings. Digital menu boards have been shown to increase the number of unplanned purchases (like adding a dessert or a drink) by up to 80%, simply by showcasing those items more vividly. Additionally, with video capabilities, a vertical screen can play mouth-watering clips of menu items, leveraging motion to grab the attention of customers and influence their choices while they’re waiting to order.
Corporate communication and lobbies: In digital signage for corporate settings, vertical digital signage is used for internal communication and branding. A company might install a vertical display in its lobby to welcome visitors with a schedule of events or meetings for the day, company news, and a display of social media feeds or dashboards. Because the screen is portrait-oriented, it resembles a bulletin board, which is a familiar format for information. Employees passing by can quickly catch up on announcements or HR messages displayed on the digital sign. In large offices, you might also find vertical screens near conference rooms showing meeting schedules or in common areas displaying key performance metrics, updated in real-time. This is far more engaging than a static notice board. It helps keep everyone informed and reinforces a modern, tech-forward company image. Moreover, corporate communications via digital signage can be scheduled – for instance, more general info in the morning and targeted departmental info during specific hours – ensuring the right message reaches the right audience at the right time.
Events, exhibitions, and trade shows: Vertical digital signage shines in event environments. At trade show booths, a vertical screen can act as a digital banner, looping through product showcases and testimonials to attract attendees from across the exhibit hall. Because it’s vertical, the display mimics the form of a standing banner but with moving content, which is far more likely to stop traffic. Event organizers also use vertical screens throughout venues for schedules and wayfinding (e.g., “10:00 AM Keynote in Hall A” with an arrow, followed by the next sessions). These signs can be updated on the fly if there’s a room change or schedule tweak, which is a huge benefit over printed signs. In museums or galleries, vertical interactive displays might provide additional information about exhibits — their form factor blends in as a digital poster next to an artwork or artifact, offering context that visitors can scroll or tap through. All these use cases have a common thread: digital screens engage customers and improve experiences, whether it’s boosting sales in a store or enhancing information delivery in public spaces. By deploying vertical digital signage in such scenarios, businesses and organizations create more engaging, modern-feeling environments that visitors appreciate.
Managing vertical digital signage efficiently
Once you have vertical digital signs up and running, efficient management is key to keeping content fresh and relevant without it becoming a burden. One best practice is delegating content creation and updates to the right people on your team. Instead of a single person shouldering all the work, businesses can assign roles – for example, your marketing team might create the promotional graphics, while store managers can be given limited access to update certain local content (like daily specials) on their screens. Modern digital signage software often supports multi-user access with permissions, so content creation can be a collaborative effort. By delegating tasks, you ensure that content on your vertical signs is updated by those who know the information best, and you avoid bottlenecks. For instance, a cafe owner could let the head barista update the specialty drinks menu on the vertical screen each morning, while the marketing specialist handles branded advertisement slides for new breakfast combos. This division of labor makes updating digital signs more efficient and keeps the content pipeline flowing.
Central to efficient management is utilizing remote content management and playlist scheduling features. With a cloud-based system like Screenly, you can manage all your vertical displays from a single online dashboard. This means you can change what’s on any screen without physically being in front of it – a critical feature if you have screens across multiple locations or even multiple floors of a building. Remote management saves time and travel; for example, a franchise owner can update ten restaurant menu boards across the city in minutes from their office. Additionally, scheduling content in advance ensures you’re always showing the right message at the right time. You can prepare a week’s (or a month’s) worth of content and set it to play on specific days or times. Scheduling might include day-parting (different breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus as mentioned, or different retail promotions on weekends vs weekdays) and holiday schedules. By planning ahead, you reduce the last-minute rush to update signs and ensure that nothing important gets forgotten. Unlike static signs, digital signs allow content to be scheduled in advance, making them far more flexible for timely messaging.
Another key to managing vertical digital signage efficiently is leveraging screen group lables and tagging. If you have many screens, you might not want to schedule content on each one individually. Good signage software lets you group screens (say, all lobby screens in one group, all cafeteria menu boards in another) and then publish content to an entire group at once. This way, you can update a dozen displays with one action, keeping operations streamlined. Monitoring and maintenance should also be part of your management strategy. Keep an eye on your screens through the software’s dashboard – many systems will show if a screen is offline or if a media player has an error. This proactive monitoring ensures maximum uptime; you can often fix issues remotely (like pushing a reboot to a frozen media player) or at least know to send someone for repair if needed. Regular check-ins to ensure content is playing as scheduled and that the network connection is solid will help avoid any downtime.
Efficiency also comes from keeping the signage operations user-friendly. Screenly and similar platforms focus on easy content uploads (drag-and-drop) and intuitive interfaces so that even non-technical staff can handle updates. Training your team briefly on how to use the signage CMS (content management system) can pay off greatly, as it empowers them to make quick changes without calls to IT support. This ease of use means your vertical digital signage can be very agile – reflecting a pricing change, a new announcement, or a social media post almost instantly on screen when needed.
Finally, to optimize your digital signage displays for maximum impact, keep an eye on analytics if available. By reviewing which content gets the most engagement (e.g., which on-screen QR code got the most scans, or which advertisement was displayed during peak sales upticks), you can refine your content strategy over time. In essence, efficient management of vertical digital signage boils down to smart use of the software tools (remote updates, scheduling, grouping), empowering your team through delegation and training, and maintaining the system proactively. With these practices, your digital signage network will run like a well-oiled machine, delivering the right content to the right place at the right time with minimal hassle.
Creating engaging content for vertical digital signage
The effectiveness of your vertical digital signage ultimately hinges on the content you display. Crafting visually compelling content is crucial to capture viewers’ attention and leave a lasting impression. Here are some tips and strategies for content creation that leverages the unique advantages of vertical displays:
Design for the portrait aspect ratio: It might sound obvious, but content should be optimized for the vertical (9:16) layout. Avoid simply taking a horizontal ad and rotating the images and text – instead, redesign or rearrange elements to fit the tall space. Use the ample vertical real estate to stack information logically. For example, in a vertical digital poster, you might place a headline at the top, a large graphic or video in the middle, and additional details or a call-to-action at the bottom. Ensure that images are high-resolution and cropped for portrait view so nothing looks stretched or pixelated. By optimizing layout and spacing for the vertical format, you create a clear information hierarchy that is easy for the eye to follow. This often means centering content and using the upper and middle parts of the screen for the most crucial visuals or messages, since those are at eye level for viewers.
Keep text concise and legible: People typically glance at digital signs for only a few seconds, so your message needs to be absorbed quickly. Use bold, legible fonts and don’t overcrowd the screen with too much text. A common guideline is the “5x5 rule” – no more than five lines of text, with five words per line, on a single image or slide. While you can bend this rule for certain use cases, the spirit of it holds: simplicity equals readability. Make sure the text is large enough to be read from the typical distance your audience will stand. For instance, a vertical welcome sign in a lobby should have the main greeting or instruction in big lettering. Also, choose color combinations wisely – contrasting colors (like white text on a dark background or vice versa) will make your content pop and improve legibility in various lighting conditions. Vertical screens often attract viewers from a distance, so high contrast and a clean design help draw them closer.
Use high-quality visuals and video content: One of the big advantages of digital signage is the ability to use videos and animations. Movement catches the eye far more than static images. Incorporate short videos or motion graphics in your content loop to maximize engagement. For example, instead of a static image of a product, use a rotating 360-degree video of it or an animation that highlights its features. On a vertical screen, a video can have a dramatic effect – imagine a full-length video of a runway model walking (great for a fashion store) or steam rising off a hot cup of coffee (perfect for a café’s morning promotion). Such visuals are memorable and create an immersive experience, especially on a life-sized vertical display. Just be sure that any video is properly formatted for portrait orientation (you might need to shoot or edit videos specifically for this aspect ratio). Many social media videos (like Instagram Stories or TikTok) are vertically oriented by default, and those can often be repurposed for your signs with minimal tweaks.
Leverage interactive technology: To truly boost customer interaction, consider incorporating motion sensors or camera-based triggers – the content on a vertical screen could change when someone approaches, perhaps greeting them or playing a specific advertisement. This kind of context-aware content can surprise and delight viewers, and it makes the experience feel personalized. Even if your vertical display is not a touch unit, you can encourage interaction by other means, such as showing a QR code that people can scan to get a coupon or to pull up more information on their phone. The key is to transform what could be a passive viewing experience into an active one. You can easily build and deploy custom digital signage applications that interact with local sensors with Screenly Edge Apps.
Consider placement and viewing angles: Creating engaging content isn’t just about the on-screen design, but also about how and where the screen is positioned. Optimize your content knowing the typical viewing distance and angle. If the vertical sign is at eye level and meant for up-close interaction (like a directory kiosk), you can include more detail because people will stand there and read it. However, if it’s meant to be seen from down a hallway, stick to bold headlines and graphics that entice people to come closer. Make sure important content isn’t at the extreme top or bottom where it might be out of the comfortable line of sight. For example, on a vertical wayfinding sign, put the most-requested directions (like “Restrooms ->”) toward the upper-middle area. Good placement also relates to space utilization – since vertical signs save horizontal space, you might place two side by side in a large area (one could be interactive, the other playing a slideshow). Ensure multiple screens don’t visually clash; keep a consistent style. Essentially, design your content layout with the environment in mind, aiming to create a seamless and appealing presence that complements the physical space.
Maintain brand consistency and update frequently: Use your brand’s colors, fonts, and tone in all content so that your vertical signage becomes an extension of your brand identity. A vertically oriented screen can beautifully display your brand logo and imagery in a towering format that reinforces brand recall. At the same time, keep the content fresh. An engaging vertical sign today can become “digital wallpaper” tomorrow if the same content just repeats for weeks. Take advantage of the ease of updating: refresh the visuals regularly, rotate through a content library, and update messages to align with current campaigns or seasons. This keeps customers looking at the screens time after time, wondering what’s new today. Some companies even integrate live feeds – for instance, a live social media wall in portrait mode, or up-to-the-minute news/weather alongside their promotions – to ensure there’s always something timely on display.
By following these content creation strategies, you maximize the performance of your vertical digital signage — meaning the screens will effectively catch eyes, convey information, and prompt action. Engaging content combined with the space-saving, novel format of vertical displays leads to stronger customer interaction, whether that’s a customer deciding to try the dessert that just flashed on a yummy video or an employee stopping to read an important HR update on a lobby screen. In essence, great content is how you unlock the full potential of your digital signage investment.
Launch your vertical digital signs with Screenly
Vertical digital signage offers a powerful blend of modern technology and practical design for businesses aiming to enhance communication and boost engagement. By capitalizing on the portrait orientation, companies can utilize space more efficiently and deliver an ultimate viewing experience for content like menus, advertisements, and interactive guides that shine in a vertical format. We’ve seen that vertical displays can be more than just digital posters – they can actively engage customers through dynamic content and even sensor-based interactive features, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased sales. From retail stores using vertical screens to showcase promotions and drive impulse buys, to corporations streamlining their internal communications on digital notice boards, the benefits are tangible and wide-ranging. Digital signage in general trumps static signage with its agility and vibrancy, and the vertical orientation adds another layer of versatility to fit various environments and use cases.
If you’re looking to implement digital signage solutions in your business, now is a great time to take action. Screenly’s cloud-based digital signage platform provides all the essential software and management tools to make deploying vertical (and horizontal) displays a breeze. With Screenly, you can easily upload content, schedule playlists, and manage multiple screens remotely, ensuring your vertical signs always display the most impactful content at the right time. The result is a sleek, professional signage network that captivates your audience and keeps you a step ahead of the competition.
Ready to transform your business with vertical digital signage? Explore what Screenly’s digital signage solutions can do for you and sign up for Screenly’s 30-day free trial. This trial gives you full access to our platform so you can experience firsthand how easy it is to create, manage, and optimize content on your digital displays. Whether you start with one screen or fifty, you’ll quickly see the difference digital signage can make in engaging your customers and streamlining your communications.
