Are your customers struggling to read your digital menu during the day?
Bright lighting or direct sunlight can make your screen look washed out, leading to frustration, slower ordering, and lost sales. When visibility is poor, even the most appetising menu loses its impact. In high-traffic environments like restaurants and takeaways, clarity and readability are key to fast service and great customer experience. Thankfully, with the right setup and features, you can overcome glare and lighting issues.
Here, we’ll show you how to ensure your electronic menu board stays vibrant, readable, and effective—even in the brightest conditions.
1. Choose a High-Brightness Screen
One of the most important factors in visibility is screen brightness, measured in nits (cd/m²).
Standard indoor screens often max out at 300–500 nits, which is insufficient for well-lit environments. To ensure visibility in direct sunlight or strong indoor lighting, opt for a menu board with at least 1,500 to 2,500 nits of brightness. Many commercial-grade digital displays offer this level of luminosity, helping your menu remain readable no matter how bright it gets.
Pro Tip: Look for screens labelled as “sunlight-readable” or “high-brightness” when sourcing your display.
2. Use Anti-Glare or Matte Finishes
Glare can be a real problem, especially if your screen is mounted near glass or reflective surfaces.
An anti-glare coating or matte finish helps diffuse incoming light, reducing reflections and making the screen easier to read from multiple angles.
This small feature can significantly improve visibility and comfort for your customers, especially during daylight hours when light is at its peak intensity.
3. Optimize Screen Placement
Where you place your screen has a huge impact on its effectiveness. If it faces a large window or direct natural light, it may wash out or become unreadable. Instead, try these best practices:
- Mount screens at an angle that reduces glare
- Avoid placing screens directly opposite light sources
- Use side walls or overhead placements to create shade
- Install screens under a canopy or shade structure if placed outside
Proper placement alone can eliminate many visibility issues without the need for additional equipment.
4. Adjust Brightness Dynamically
Some electronic menu boards come equipped with sensors that adjust screen brightness based on ambient light levels.
This not only helps maintain screen readability but also saves energy during lower-light conditions.
This feature ensures your screen stays visible during sunny afternoons while dimming slightly in the evening—offering the perfect balance between performance and efficiency.
5. Choose the Right Screen Size and Resolution
Visibility isn’t just about brightness—it’s also about clarity.
A high-resolution display ensures that text and images are sharp, even when viewed up close or from an angle. Choose a screen size that fits your space and viewing distance. For most restaurants and takeaways, sizes like 32″, 43″, 50″, or 55″ are commonly used.
Pairing the right size with HD or Full HD resolution ensures your digital content looks professional and crisp—an essential part of delivering a high-quality customer experience.
6. Embrace Multimedia That Pops
Thanks to features like multimedia support, today’s digital menu boards can display videos, animated graphics, and transitions that draw the eye.
But keep in mind: motion and contrast are most effective when they’re legible in bright light. Use bold fonts, high-contrast colour schemes, and short, simple text to make your menu items easy to read.
Avoid pale text on light backgrounds, and instead, use black or dark overlays behind white or bright-coloured text for better readability.
7. Consider Expert Installation and Support
Many visibility issues can be resolved during the installation stage—if you’re working with professionals.
Expert installers understand how lighting conditions, mounting height, and viewing angles affect screen performance. They’ll help you choose the best placement and settings to keep your content crystal clear.
Working with a provider who offers on-site visits, national coverage, and technical knowledge can make a huge difference in getting your electronic menu screen set up for long-term success.
Conclusion
Ensuring your electronic menu board is clearly visible in bright lighting isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a business necessity. Poor visibility can frustrate customers, slow down service, and impact sales. By choosing high-brightness screens, using anti-glare finishes, optimising placement, and embracing features like dynamic brightness and multimedia support, you create a menu experience that stands out—even under direct sunlight. Add in expert installation, and you’re set for success. When your digital menu is easy to read, engaging, and professional, it enhances customer satisfaction and boosts efficiency. Invest in visibility, and let your menu shine where it matters most—right in front of your customers.
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