What information belongs in a custom TFT LCD RFQ?
Send the application, target diagonal and resolution, host interface, touch conditions, brightness and temperature requirements, mechanical limits and quantity. Include a reference model, drawing or pinout when available. Mark open decisions explicitly so the supplier can separate confirmed requirements from assumptions before proposing a sample.
Use the published-model comparison to identify a reference, then send your requirements for an engineering review.
A custom TFT LCD request can begin with a current model number, drawing, product photo or partial requirement. The purpose of the first review is to identify a suitable standard platform and determine which optical, electrical or mechanical changes are actually necessary.
1. Describe the equipment and user
State what the display will be installed in, where the equipment operates and who uses it. An indoor instrument, outdoor handheld device and fixed industrial HMI may require different brightness, touch and mechanical solutions even at the same size.
2. Define size and image requirements
- Target diagonal, active area or enclosure window.
- Resolution and aspect ratio.
- Portrait or landscape orientation.
- Viewing direction or full-viewing requirement.
- Color depth and expected user-interface complexity.
If size is the starting point, compare the 0.96–1.77-inch module range and the 3.5-inch module range.
3. Confirm the host interface
Provide the processor, controller board or current display interface. Identify SPI, MCU, RGB, LVDS, MIPI DSI or another connection together with logic voltage and available connector pins. Use the TFT LCD interface selection guide when the choice is not fixed.
4. Specify touch and cover requirements
State no touch, resistive touch or projected capacitive touch. Include finger, glove, stylus, water and multi-touch expectations. For a cover lens, provide outline, thickness, printing, holes, surface treatment and bonding preferences. The PCAP versus resistive touch guide explains the main tradeoffs.
5. Define optics and environment
- Indoor, bright indoor, shaded outdoor or direct sunlight.
- Brightness target if already known.
- Minimum/maximum operating and storage temperatures.
- Humidity, condensation, UV, vibration and cleaning exposure.
- Optical bonding, anti-glare or anti-reflective requirements.
For outdoor projects, connect the sunlight-readable guide with the wide-temperature reliability guide.
6. Attach mechanical and electrical references
A controlled drawing is best, but a dimensioned sketch, enclosure CAD screenshot, current display label, PCB connector photo or schematic extract can also help. Mark fixed dimensions separately from flexible preferences. Review the mechanical drawing and FPC checklist before tooling release.
7. Include quantity and timing
Provide sample quantity, prototype timing, pilot build, estimated annual volume and expected production life. This allows the supplier to compare standard, semi-custom and full ODM routes. Avoid presenting an uncertain forecast as a guaranteed order; a realistic range is more useful.
8. Separate requirements from preferences
Label constraints as mandatory, preferred or open for recommendation. This prevents an optional feature from eliminating an otherwise suitable platform and helps engineering offer alternatives when one requirement drives excessive cost or lead time.
What happens after the first review?
- Confirm the closest standard display platform.
- Identify gaps in mechanics, interface, optics, touch or environment.
- Agree on the drawing and specification used for samples.
- Evaluate sample performance in the real host and enclosure.
- Freeze revisions before pilot and production release.
The DISEA TFT LCD ODM process explains how standard platforms can be adapted through FPC, backlight, touch, cover glass and other engineering changes.
Send the information already available. Missing items can be clarified during the engineering review rather than guessed in advance.
Request an engineering review