Every creative LED concept is buildable. The question is whether it is buildable with standard cabinets, with optional hardware, or only with custom steelwork and a custom budget. Knowing which bracket you are in decides the design.
The three tiers of creative builds
| Tier | What it needs | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Standard cabinets | nothing extra | flat walls, stepped edges, L-shapes, mixed cabinet sizes |
| 2. Optional hardware | arc locks, corner cabinets, brackets | curves, rings, 90° corners, columns |
| 3. Custom build | bespoke frame, custom module layout | spheres, free-form shapes, very tight radii |
Most concepts that arrive as “we need something special” are tier 1 or tier 2. The cost difference between tiers is large, so establishing the tier early saves redesign.
Curves: the radius is the constraint
An arc lock indexes each cabinet at a fixed angle. The minimum radius follows from cabinet width and that angle:
radius ≈ (cabinet width ÷ 2) ÷ sin(angle ÷ 2)
In practice, a 500 mm cabinet with a typical 5-degree arc lock closes to roughly a 5–6 m radius; a tighter angle gives a tighter radius. A 500 × 500 cabinet curves tighter than a 500 × 1000 at the same angle because the chord is shorter.
This is one reason rental fleets keep 500 × 500 cabinets: they make the tight curves possible — see cabinet size comparison.
Corners and right angles
A 90-degree corner needs either a corner cabinet (a purpose-made angled unit) or a mitred joint with a visible seam. Corner cabinets exist for most rental families and are the cleaner solution. Check availability before promising a seamless wrap.
Rings and columns
A full ring closes only if the circumference divides exactly by the cabinet chord. In practice you design the ring diameter from the cabinet count, not the other way round. A 12-cabinet ring at 500 mm gives a specific diameter; a 13-cabinet ring gives a different one.
Column wraps follow the same rule, and usually need a frame to hold the ring true.
Spheres and free-form shapes
These are tier 3. They use small custom modules on a bespoke skeleton, are priced per project, and cannot be assembled from rental stock. A spherical display is a permanent installation product, not something you rent for a weekend.
The EAiBall indoor spherical display is an example of a purpose-built unit rather than a cabinet build.
Stepped and logo shapes
Because cabinets align on a 250 mm module grid, you can offset rows to build stepped edges, chevrons and block letterforms with standard cabinets and no custom parts. This is the cheapest way to get a “creative” outline and it is widely underused.
What to send when briefing
- A dimensioned drawing or a 3D model, not a mood image.
- The finished size, and the viewing distance.
- Whether the shape must be seamless or a visible joint is acceptable.
- Indoor or outdoor, and whether it is permanent or touring.
- The budget bracket, so the tier can be agreed early.
Common mistakes
- Designing on a render. Seams, corners and cable paths do not appear in renders and do appear on site.
- Promising a seamless curve. Curves are polygonal — a series of flat cabinets at an angle. At a distance it reads as smooth; close up, it does not.
- Forgetting power and data for creative shapes. A ring needs a cable path that follows the curve.
- Choosing a shape that cannot be transported. A one-piece ring is a truck problem.
- Ignoring the content. A wrap or sphere needs content authored for the geometry — see resolution calculation.
Frequently asked questions
Can any LED wall be curved?
No. It needs arc locks or an angled cabinet design. A flat cabinet cannot be bent.
What is the tightest curve available?
Depends on cabinet size and lock angle. Ask for the minimum radius for the specific cabinet — it is a published figure, not a guess.
Is a curved wall more expensive?
The cabinets cost the same; the arc locks, the frame and the design time add cost. The premium is usually in the structure, not the display.
Send the drawing
A dimensioned sketch is enough for us to tell you which tier your idea falls into. Flexible options such as the EA-iFilm2 flexible film display cover some curved and irregular cases that cabinets cannot. Ask through the contact page.