Does ESL tag cost change with screen size and color?

If you're a retailer picking electronic shelf labels (ESLs), one question pops up again and again: Do screen size and color affect esl tag cost? When it comes to HIGHLIGHT's ESL tags, the answer is yes—but the brand's tech upgrades help keep that cost from spiking too much.

HIGHLIGHT's second-gen 2.4GHz ESLs are different from other picks on the market. Unlike the older 433MHz models, these 2.4GHz ones work with over 30 base stations, and respond in—way faster than the 9+ seconds you wait for 433MHz ESLs. They also come in more than 30 models: screens range from 1.54 inches to 13.3 inches, and there are up to 10 e-ink colors.  HIGHLIGHT's been a supplier for over 20 years (they even work with Fortune 500 companies), so they offer 24/7 support and ship worldwide. Plus, their ESL batteries last 3 to 5 years—you won't have to swap them out often.

Screen size hits esl tag cost directly. Bigger screens need more e-ink material and larger batteries to run. Take HIGHLIGHT's tags: They add up fast. HIGHLIGHT's 13.3-inch tags cost more than the 1.54-inch ones, and it's mostly because bigger display panels need stricter manufacturing—you can't skimp on precision with large screens. Industry stats back this up, too: hardware is the biggest part of esl tag cost, and as screen size goes up, so do the costs for raw materials and putting the tag together.

Color affects esl tag cost too, but the gap isn't as wide as it once was. Monochrome (black-and-white) ESLs use simple, single-layer e-ink. But HIGHLIGHT's 10-color tags need multi-layer displays to show those bright colors—and that extra layer used to make color models cost 30 to 50% more. Now, though, HIGHLIGHT's smoother production lines have shrunk that difference. Their 2.4GHz tech also uses less energy, which helps offset some of the extra cost that comes with color displays.

What's nice about HIGHLIGHT is how it balances choice and affordability when it comes to esl tag cost. Even with more size and color choices, its new 2.4GHz ESLs are cheaper than the old ones. For most retailers, the 2.9-inch tri-color tag is perfect—it's not too expensive, but still flexible enough for most products. If you sell high-value items that need detailed info, though, the 13.3-inch color tags make sense too. They're pricier, but they give you the clear display you need.