AC Electroluminescent (EL) displays are simple, screen printed light emitting displays that require an AC power source. They are built of low cost, light emitting segments that can be relatively thin and conformable.
Examples of cases studies include moving images on labels for Copoya rum in the US and Ballantine’s Whisky promotional bottles in Europe, as well as Bombay Sapphire boxes (pictured) and other promotional off-package signage (posters etc) by a large number of brands. EL displays are also widely used on wearables such as promotional/novelty T-shirts.
Advantages of the technology include the fact that lead time is short – 4 weeks is typical- and lifetime is good enough for packaging applications.
In volume, costs can be under $10 for relatively large (A4 size) promotional posters, including power supply and display driver to less than a few dollars.
On the down side voltage supply is high (e.g. 120-240V) and tends to emit a hum. It is also difficult to see the active parts of the display in high levels of light.
