How to Build Custom Small Displays

Are you looking for a small-sized display solution but can not find any off-the-self displays that fit your application? That’s where we come in.

At EG Electronics, we’ve been designing customized display solutions since the early days of monochrome LCDs in the 1980s. We understand that going custom can sound complicated or costly, but with our experience, it doesn’t have to be.

Working closely with our trusted manufacturing partners, such as URT, MWT, JHD, Goworld etc we support you through every step of the process, from initial specification all the way to serial production. And we don’t stop at displays. We deliver complete solutions that combine embedded computers, touch screen integration, connectivity, and software options, all tailored to your system requirements.

Our customized display solutions are built for a wide range of applications: from reliable retail and industrial interfaces to rugged systems used in commercial vehicles and defence environments where durability and performance are critical.

How to design a customized small-sized display solution

Identify operation conditions

To create the best possible custom display solution, we first need to understand your application and its external challenges. These factors directly affect how we design and configure your display. Here are some critical questions we usually explore:

Will your solution operate in very hot, cold, or fluctuating environments? Does it need to be readable in direct sunlight or in dim lighting conditions? Temperature ranges affect display performance, backlight behaviour, and component selection.

Water and humidity exposure: Even indoor systems can be exposed to moisture or cleaning routines. Does your application require IP-rated sealing, optical bonding, or anti-condensation protection?

User interaction: Will the end user be wearing thick work gloves, thin silicone gloves, or operating the screen bare-handed? This will influence both the touch technology and the user interface design.

Hygiene requirements: In environments like healthcare, food processing, or lab tech, displays may need to withstand harsh cleaning liquids or be designed for frequent disinfection.

Extreme conditions: What’s the worst-case scenario your display needs to survive? Shock, vibration, fire exposure, even blast resistance — all of these can be engineered into the design with the right materials and mechanical integration

From standard size to special shaped displays

Once the operating conditions are defined, the next step is to determine the physical dimensions of the display. That starts with choosing the right display size. While we offer all the standard sized displays, you're no longer limited to traditional rectangular shapes.

We can design custom-shaped displays to fit your product's form and function, including:, circular, semicircular, bar-type / ultra-wide formats or displays with angled or cut-corner edges

We need to also carefully consider what type of interfaces the display will need to ensure a reliable performance and integration between the display, user and the main application. We support a wide range of interface options (SPI, I2C, RS232, LVDS, HDMI, etc.).

Custom Cover Glass & Touch Options

We offer fully customizable cover glass and touch configurations to meet both functional and branding requirements. The glass can be tailored in thickness to enhance durability or improve optical performance, depending on the demands of your application. To further enhance performance, we offer different bonding methods, including air gap and optical bonding — which improve readability, increase ruggedness, and reduce reflections.

We support a wide range of touch technologies, including Projected Capacitive multi-touch (PCAP/PCT), glove-compatible resistive touch, and even hover touch, which allows users to interact without physically contacting the screen.

Housing

The housing and mechanical integration play a key role in how your solution performs and looks. We always consider the application environment and how the display will be mounted or integrated.

If you don’t already have a housing or enclosure in place, we can also help you with that. We offer customization in shape, material, and color, and can include your logo to reflect your brand. We can work from your existing 3D models or develop new mechanical concepts to ensure a precise fit in your product casing.

From Design to Full-Scale Production

Once the concept is finalized, we move into the engineering and prototyping phase. At this stage, we prepare detailed mechanical drawings and 3D models to ensure accurate fit and mounting within your enclosure. In parallel, we develop electrical schematics and interface documentation that define how the display integrates with your system architecture.

We also deliver early functional prototypes to test touch responsiveness, optical clarity, and mechanical robustness under real-world conditions. If an embedded system is part of the solution, we ensure early-stage integration to streamline later development.

Following successful validation, we transition into full-scale production with a focus on reliability, repeatability, and long-term support. This includes the development of any necessary tooling for custom parts such as backlights, cover glass, or housings. We carry out thorough production testing and certifications—including EMC, ESD, and thermal cycling—to ensure compliance and performance across all required standards.

Because we manage the complete solution—from display to embedded system—we can support design adjustments, software or hardware updates, and secure long-term availability, giving you peace of mind beyond launch.