Custom made LCD displays can solve mechanical, electrical, optical, and user-interface requirements that cannot be addressed adequately with an existing standard module.
For OEM engineers, however, a custom display project involves more than specifying a size or resolution. The project may also include engineering review, approved drawings, tooling, prototype evaluation, production planning, and project-specific commercial terms.
Focus LCDs designs, manufactures, and supports both standard and custom display modules. The level of customization available depends on the display technology, so understanding those differences early can help an engineering team choose the appropriate approach.
When Should an OEM Consider a Custom-Made LCD Display?
A custom display may be appropriate when a standard LCD cannot meet important product requirements.
Common reasons include:
- Mechanical dimensions or enclosure constraints
- Unique display shapes
- Custom segment layouts or icons
- Resolution requirements
- Backlight requirements
- Connector or FPC requirements
- Touchscreen integration
- Cover glass
- Optical bonding
- Interface requirements
- PCB or PCBA integration
- Long-term product requirements
A custom display is not always necessary.
When an existing standard module satisfies the application, it may provide a simpler path to prototyping and production. Focus LCDs takes a consultative approach to display selection and works with engineering teams to determine whether a standard, modified-standard, or custom solution is appropriate.
Engineers who are still defining their requirements can contact our engineering support team for assistance.
What Types of LCD Displays Can Be Customized?
The degree of customization varies significantly by display technology.
Custom Monochrome LCD Displays
Monochrome displays provide the greatest design flexibility because they can be customized at the glass level.
Depending on the application, customization can include:
- Display size
- Glass shape
- Resolution
- Character or graphic configuration
- Segment layout
- Customer-specific icons and annunciators
- Viewing mode
- Backlight
- Connector or FPC configuration
- Other components within the display assembly
This makes custom monochrome technology useful when the display needs to be designed around the mechanical or user-interface requirements of the product.
Customized TFT Display Assemblies
TFT customization follows a different approach.
Focus LCDs does not modify the TFT glass itself. Instead, customization is applied to components surrounding the established TFT panel.
Options can include:
- Custom FPC cables
- Backlights
- Resistive or capacitive touchscreens
- Cover glass
- Optical bonding
- Adhesives
- Custom PCBs or PCBA when incorporated into the LCD assembly
- Other mechanical or electrical integration requirements
Additional information is available on our custom display solutions page.
Do Custom Made LCD Displays Require Tooling?
Many custom display projects require engineering or tooling work before prototypes or production units can be created.
The exact requirements depend on the technology and degree of customization.
For a custom monochrome LCD, development may involve the LCD glass itself as well as other elements of the display assembly.
For a customized TFT assembly, development may involve components such as FPCs, backlights, touchscreens, cover glass, optical bonding, adhesives, or PCB assemblies.
Tooling requirements, development costs, prototype requirements, and payment terms are defined during the quotation process for the individual project.
This allows the commercial structure to reflect the actual design rather than applying a single policy to every custom display.
Are There Minimum Order Quantities for Custom LCDs?
Custom display projects may have minimum production requirements.
The appropriate quantity depends on factors such as:
- Display technology
- Physical dimensions
- Components
- Level of customization
- Production requirements
- Expected demand
There is no single minimum order quantity that applies to every custom-made LCD display.
Project-specific production requirements are confirmed during the quotation process.
If an OEM is still in the development stage and final production quantities are not known, an estimated annual usage can help begin the discussion. Those requirements can be refined as the project progresses.
How Are Custom LCD Prototypes Handled?
Prototype and sample requirements vary by project.
When prototypes are appropriate, they provide an opportunity for the OEM engineering team to evaluate the display before ongoing production.
Prototype evaluation may include:
- Mechanical fit
- Electrical operation
- Interface compatibility
- Optical performance
- Viewing characteristics
- Backlight operation
- Touchscreen integration
- Cover-glass fit
- Integration with the customer’s electronics and enclosure
The quantity, cost, availability, shipping arrangements, and other prototype terms are established for the individual project.
This project-specific approach is more appropriate than applying a fixed sample policy to every display technology.
How Long Does a Custom LCD Project Take?
Custom LCD lead times depend on the requirements of the individual project.
Factors can include:
- Display technology
- Design complexity
- Engineering review
- Tooling
- Drawing approvals
- Prototype requirements
- Component availability
- Customer evaluation
- Design revisions
- Production requirements
Because these factors vary, project-specific timing is confirmed during the quotation and development process.
Engineers should discuss schedule requirements early, particularly when the display is part of a larger product-development, qualification, or certification program.
For additional information, see LCD Lead Times: What OEM Engineers Should Consider.
Why Are Written Approvals Important?
A custom display should be developed from documented requirements rather than assumptions.
Engineering drawings and specifications provide a shared reference for the customer and display supplier.
Depending on the project, approved documentation may define:
- Mechanical dimensions and tolerances
- Pinout
- Electrical interface
- Optical configuration
- Viewing direction
- Backlight
- Connector or FPC
- Touchscreen
- Cover glass
- Mechanical features
- Other application-specific requirements
Customer review and approval of applicable drawings and specifications is an important part of the development process.
If requirements change after approval, the effect on the design, tooling, prototype program, schedule, and production requirements should be evaluated before moving forward.
What Happens if a Prototype Requires Changes?
Prototype evaluation may identify something that needs to be revised before production.
A change can potentially affect:
- Mechanical dimensions
- FPC design
- Connector location
- Backlight
- Optical characteristics
- Touchscreen
- Cover glass
- Interface requirements
- Tooling
- Production documentation
The appropriate response depends on the nature of the revision.
Some changes may be relatively straightforward. Others may require revised drawings, additional engineering work, updated tooling, or another evaluation cycle.
Documenting changes clearly helps ensure that both the OEM and display supplier are working from the same approved design.
Who Owns a Custom LCD Design?
Ownership, exclusivity, intellectual-property rights, and permitted use of a custom design should be defined in the applicable project documentation and commercial terms.
These arrangements can vary according to the project.
OEMs should therefore confirm any requirements involving design ownership, exclusivity, use by contract manufacturers, or related intellectual-property considerations during the quotation and development process rather than assuming a universal policy applies.
How Are Inventory and Production Planning Handled?
Production planning for a custom LCD should reflect the requirements of the OEM program.
Relevant considerations can include:
- Estimated annual usage
- Expected production start
- Order frequency
- Planned quantities
- Product lifecycle
- Qualification requirements
- Changes in demand
Forecasting helps the display supplier understand anticipated production needs and can support longer-term planning.
Any inventory programs, stocking arrangements, scheduled releases, blanket orders, or similar commercial arrangements should be confirmed for the individual customer and project.
For long-production-life equipment, production planning should also be considered alongside display lifecycle and obsolescence risk.
More information is available in our LCD lifecycle risk management for OEM programs.
How Are Commercial Terms Handled for Custom LCD Projects?
Commercial terms should be defined as part of the quotation and order process.
Depending on the project, these may include:
- Tooling or development charges
- Prototype costs
- Production requirements
- Payment terms
- Shipping arrangements
- Cancellation or return conditions
- Inventory arrangements
- Other project-specific requirements
These terms can change over time and may differ between projects, so engineers and purchasing teams should rely on the current quotation and applicable order documentation rather than older general policies.
What Should an OEM Confirm Before Starting a Custom LCD Project?
Before beginning custom display development, the engineering team should understand:
- Which technical requirements have already been defined.
- Which requirements are still open.
- Whether a standard or modified-standard display has been evaluated.
- What customization is required.
- What drawings or specifications will require approval.
- Whether prototypes will be required.
- How the prototypes will be evaluated.
- What tooling or development work is necessary.
- What production quantities are anticipated.
- What schedule requirements affect the project.
- What commercial terms apply.
- What lifecycle expectations exist for the finished product.
Defining these items early can reduce ambiguity and unnecessary redesign later in the development process.
Start a Custom LCD Project
Custom made LCD displays can provide significant design flexibility when an existing standard display cannot adequately support the product.
Focus LCDs works with OEM engineering teams from initial display selection and prototyping through production.
For monochrome applications, customization can extend to the LCD glass itself. For TFT applications, Focus LCDs can customize components surrounding the TFT panel, including FPCs, backlights, touchscreens, cover glass, optical bonding, adhesives, PCBs, and other value-added elements of the display assembly.
Contact Focus LCDs to discuss your application or contact our engineering support team if you need assistance defining the display requirements.
