If you’ve ever stopped in your tracks at an airport-style departures board—or the classic display board vibe you see in airports, railway stations, and other flight information display systems—you already understand the appeal of a split flap display: it’s simple, bold, high visibility, and impossible to ignore in most lighting conditions.
But shopping for one can get confusing fast.
Some options are truly mechanical (and expensive). Others are decorative. And a newer category—digital split flap displays—aims to deliver the same vibe (including fixed graphics and animated “flips”) without the maintenance and cost of moving parts.
This guide walks you through what to look for so you can buy with confidence (and avoid paying for features you don’t actually need).
First, decide what kind of split flap display you actually want
The term “split flap display” is used for a few different things:
- Mechanical split-flap boards: Real moving flaps, a distinct metallic flapping sound (that “clack”), and a lot of engineering. Incredible, but typically high cost, higher upkeep, and higher power consumption depending on the build.
- Digital split-flap style displays: A screen-based version that recreates the look (and often the flipping animation) without mechanical complexity—more like a “digital electromechanical display device” in spirit than in actual moving parts.
- Decor or “flip clock” style products: Fun retro pieces (often sold like consumer digital clocks / flip clocks), but not necessarily built for custom messaging, public transport timetables, or business use.
If your goal is changeable messaging (daily specials, welcome messages, event schedules, announcements), most buyers end up comparing mechanical vs digital.
If you’re specifically evaluating digital options, start with our overview of digital split flap displays to understand the category.
For a quick look at what Split-Flap TV is, see Split Flap TV (often searched as split flap tv).
Want the “airport board” feel without the mechanical price tag? You’ll likely prefer a digital approach—especially if you want the look of a classic departures arrival/departure board with easier updates and fewer related changes to your space.
A simple checklist: 9 things to look for before you buy
1) Your real goal: attention, information, or ambiance?
A split-flap style board can do a few jobs:
- Attention-grabber (front desk, lobby, retail entry)
- Info board (meeting rooms, schedules, queue management)
- Atmosphere/brand vibe (cafés, studios, hospitality)
Your goal determines everything else—especially size, placement, and how often you’ll change the message.
2) Readability from the distance people will actually stand
This is the #1 buyer mistake: choosing a display that looks great up close, then realizing it’s hard to read from across the room (even if it has a wide viewing angle).
Before you pick anything, answer:
- How far away will people read it? (6 ft, 15 ft, 30 ft?)
- Is it a quick glance (retail) or longer reading (lobby/office)?
- Do you need large individual characters, or more characters per line?
If your display will sit behind a counter, the “sweet spot” is often fewer characters per line with bigger type—think fewer character position slots, but more readable letters.
3) Lines and characters: don’t buy “more text” if you need “clear text”
It’s tempting to think “more characters = better.” In practice, clarity wins.
A good rule of thumb:
- If people should understand the message in one second, choose fewer characters and keep messages short.
- If you’re displaying a schedule, you may want more structure (multiple lines) but consistent formatting—sometimes even whole words on each line instead of long sentences.
Tip: write 5–10 real messages you’ll use (today’s special, a welcome line, a call-to-action) and test how they look as short headlines. If the system lets you preview the desired character in each character position (and not just the overall text), you’ll make better layout decisions.
4) The sound question: do you want the flip?
Traditional boards are famous for their sound. Some businesses love it. Others don’t.
Ask yourself:
- Is this going in a quiet space (clinic, office, hotel hallway)?
- Will the message change frequently?
Mechanical boards may use smaller flaps (more characters per line) or larger flaps (bigger type) depending on the model origin and the way the mechanism was designed. Either way, frequent updates can be loud.
A big advantage of digital split-flap style displays is the ability to keep the vibe while controlling how “loud” the experience feels in the room—without the real “flip” and the wear that comes with it.
If you’re curious about the mechanics of real split-flap boards, here’s a great explainer video: How a Split-Flap Display Works (YouTube).
5) How easy is it to update messages (and who will do it)?
A buyer guide wouldn’t be complete without this: the hardware matters, but workflow matters more.
Consider:
- Will a non-technical person update it?
- Do you need fast edits during a busy shift?
- Do you want to update from your phone, or do you need a computer?
If you’re aiming for an “easy, anyone can change it” workflow, pay attention to how boards are created and managed—especially how the editor handles contents like multiple lines, templates, and quick swaps. Split-Flap TV includes a straightforward app experience, and you can learn the basics in Getting started.
6) Installation and compatibility (this is where projects stall)
A display can be perfect on paper, but frustrating in the real world if setup is finicky.
Before buying, verify:
- Where it will be mounted or placed (wall, shelf, stand)
- Power outlet access
- Wi‑Fi strength at the display location
- Device compatibility (for example, if you’re using a smart TV)
If your plan is to run Split-Flap TV on a TV device (a split flap tv setup), our Shop is the quickest place to see what’s available.
7) Fonts and style: match your brand (and keep it readable)
The “split-flap look” isn’t one single font.
If you want the classic airport vibe, start here: split flap font.
When evaluating styles, watch for:
- Character ambiguity (O vs 0, I vs 1)
- Spacing (too tight feels cramped; too loose wastes space)
- Contrast (high contrast is easiest to read)
Brand tip: if your brand is warm and playful, you can keep the split-flap aesthetic while choosing a friendlier tone in messaging (and sometimes even style). Some digital products also let you choose a “color mid” (mid-tone palette) so the look stays readable without harsh contrast.
8) Your “message types”: quotes, announcements, or real-time info?
Decide what you’ll display most often:
- Static messages (welcome, hours, slogans)
- Rotating quotes
- Live info (followers, music, etc.)
Split-Flap TV supports a range of message formats; for example, you can display rotating text using Quotes.
If you want live social proof, you can also look at features like showing Facebook followers.
If you’re coming from other signage styles—like led display boards, flip-dot displays, or other fixed-message systems—the key difference here is the “split-flap” visual language: strong, blocky individual characters and an intentionally simple grid.
9) Trialability: can you test before you commit?
If you’re buying for a business, the fastest way to reduce risk is to test the experience in your real space.
With Split-Flap TV, you can start with a low-friction test using the 7-day trial and see how it looks on your screen, at your viewing distance, under your lighting.
What split flap displays tend to cost (and why prices vary so much)
Pricing varies because you’re not just paying for “a display.” You’re paying for some combination of:
- Size and build
- Mechanical complexity (if it’s a physical split-flap)
- Control system (how you update messages)
- Installation and support
Mechanical boards are often priced like custom hardware projects. Historically, well-known examples include Solari boards (from an Italian display manufacturer associated with Udine) and systems used across central European countries (including a well-known Czech manufacturer often referenced as Pragotron). These legacy systems are part of why “departure/arrival board” became such a recognizable category.
Digital options are typically priced more like software + screen—closer to a reusable signage experience than a bespoke mechanism (and without complicated pcb design concerns for the buyer).
If you want the split-flap look at a fraction of the cost of mechanical boards, digital is usually the pragmatic path.
For general background on the technology and where it came from, the Wikipedia overview is a helpful starting point: Split-flap display (Wikipedia).
A quick “right choice” guide by scenario
If you’re a café or restaurant
Choose clarity and quick edits.
- Prioritize: readability, easy message updates, a consistent template for specials
- Good first test: run it for a week and see how often staff updates it
If you’re retail
Choose high contrast and short messages.
- Prioritize: attention and call-to-action (“new arrivals”, “today only”, “ask us about…”)
- Keep messages punchy: 1–2 lines often works best
If you’re an office or coworking space
Choose calm, informative messaging.
- Prioritize: schedules, room status, announcements
- Consider: lower frequency changes if the space is quiet
If you’re using it at home
Choose fun and flexibility.
- Prioritize: design fit, easy setup, message variety (quotes, reminders, welcome messages)
- If you’re debating décor-style flip clocks vs a real messaging board, decide whether you want true customization or just a nostalgic date display and time look.
Common mistakes to avoid (so you don’t buy twice)
- Buying too small: If it can’t be read from where people stand, it becomes decoration.
- Overstuffing text: Too many characters makes the message feel busy.
- Ignoring workflow: If updates are annoying, the display stops getting used.
- Not testing in the real space: Lighting and viewing distance change everything.
Ready to try it in your space?
If you want the split-flap aesthetic with an easy way to control messaging, start here:
- Explore options in the Split-Flap TV Shop
- Or test it quickly with the 7-day trial
If you’re new to setting it up, the Getting started guide will walk you through the basics.