If earlier development of creatives for screens required involvement of a designer, a video editor and a copywriter, then today a significant part of processes is taken over by Artificial Intelligence.

 

Neural networks are already not just a tool for experiments — they become part of the working ecosystem, especially when it concerns multimedia content for digital screens in retail, shopping centers, HoReCa or business spaces.

 

Algorithms can create realistic portraits, 3D visualizations of products, animated scenes, video backgrounds, text slogans and even ready advertising layouts. It is enough to correctly formulate a request — and the system will generate a variant that can be adapted to the screen format.

 

Such tools become especially relevant for networks that use Digital Signage with artificial intelligence. In this case the speed of creation and updating of materials directly influences the effectiveness of communication with the audience.

 

Neural networks work according to different scenarios:

 

– generation of images by text description;

 

– creation of visuals on the basis of photo;

 

– combination of text and graphics;

 

– formation of video content;

 

– automatic improvement of ready materials.

 

 

For Digital Signage this means the possibility to quickly create adaptive visuals for different screen formats — from vertical panels to wide LED surfaces.

 

Below — a selection of free services that will help generate content for digital carriers without significant expenses.

 

 

1. Microsoft Image Generator

 

Let us start with a solution from Microsoft. Their image generator is a tool that works on the basis of Artificial Intelligence and allows to create illustrations, advertising visuals and creatives for screens literally in a few minutes.

 

However before beginning of work it will be necessary to pass a small process of authorization. A Microsoft account is required: you enter an email, confirm it, pass verification that you are not a robot, and only after that get access to the generator.

 

After login the user can create images by text description. This is convenient for quick preparation of banners, background illustrations or visuals for promotions on digital screens in a store or shopping mall.

 

The service is well suited for creation of:

 

– advertising backgrounds;

 

– atmospheric images for seasonal campaigns;

 

– conceptual creatives for testing of ideas.

 

 

For networks that actively implement modern advertising technologies, this can become a basic tool for daily production of visual material.

 

2. Leonardo AI

 

Leonardo AI — one of the most popular free platforms for generation of images. Works both in the browser and through a mobile application. In the free version the user receives 150 tokens daily — this is enough for creation of approximately 10–12 images.

 

For start it is necessary to register or log in through Google. After that you form a prompt, choose a style and configure generation parameters. Part of advanced functions is available only by subscription, in particular downloading of images in high resolution.

 

Leonardo AI demonstrates a high level of detail and realism. Generated materials are well suited for use in multimedia content: from advertising slides to visuals for video walls.

 

The service can be applied for:

 

– creation of product images;

 

– generation of background illustrations for promotions;

 

– preparation of graphics for menu boards;

 

– development of creatives for showcase screens.

 

 

For companies that develop digital signage with artificial intelligence, Leonardo AI can become a tool for regular updating of the visual part of content without involvement of external contractors.

 

 

3. free AI Image Generator: Canva

 

Canva — this is one of the most convenient variants if you need to quickly make a visual for screens and immediately assemble a ready layout in the editor. For Digital Signage this is important: you not simply generate a picture, but immediately adapt it to the format — vertical, horizontal, wide-screen, for a menu board or for showcase LED screens.

 

To start, it is enough to have an account and go to the section “Magic Media”. Further everything is максимально simple: you enter a request and receive 4 variants. Canva makes an effective “waiting animation” — words float across the screen while the system thinks. The process is often slower than in many other services, but instead you immediately receive a result in an environment where it can be refined without additional programs.

 

One more characteristic feature of Canva — it often “pulls” the style toward cartoonishness. For advertising tasks this is not always a minus: if you need light, friendly creatives for promotions, children’s products or bright seasonal offers, such style can work very well.

 

Canva is convenient when you build a Digital Signage solution for a network where content must look neat and in a unified brand style. Here it is easy to substitute fonts, add a price, CTA, logos, pictograms and make a series of materials in 20–30 minutes, and not in half a day.

 

A separate plus — integration of simple interaction mechanics. For example, you can add QR codes in advertising so that the viewer immediately goes to the website, promotional page or receives a coupon. For screens in retail this is one of the most practical ways to “connect” offline and online without complex solutions.

 

If you have a display system that allows remote control of content, Canva becomes a convenient “content kitchen”: you quickly prepare series of banners, upload them into CMS and update campaigns without physical presence at locations. Also this is well suited for personalized content for clients — when it is necessary to make different variants of creatives depending on time of day, weather, categories or local promotions.

 

4. free AI Image Generator: DeepAI

 

DeepAI — this is a variant for those who need maximally simple generation without registrations and unnecessary steps. You go to the site, go to the section “Imagine”, enter a request — and receive a result. This is useful when you need to quickly sketch backgrounds, ideas or test pictures for Digital Signage, to check how they will look on the screen.

 

The service outputs only 1 image per request — this limits the speed of selection of variants, but sometimes this is enough if you exactly know which style you are looking for. There is an interesting option of choice between speed and quality, which can be useful when you work with deadlines and you need to quickly assemble several visual concepts.

 

DeepAI offers more than 100 generation styles — a rarity for free tools. This gives the possibility to try different “visual languages” for screens: from minimalism to stylizations as a poster, 3D or illustration. For network screens this helps to find a format that reads better from a distance.

 

An important nuance: requests are better to enter in English, because with Ukrainian the service often makes mistakes and does not understand the context. Also on the site there can be advertising, but considering the free access this is expected.

 

In the practice of Digital Signage DeepAI is more suitable as a “quick generator of drafts”. Then these images are better to refine to an advertising look in an editor and adjust to the requirements of screens, especially if these are large LED screens, where mistakes in details are visible stronger.

 

 

5. Craiyon

 

Craiyon — one more free generator of images online, maximally simple in use: you went to the site, entered a request — and wait for the result. It does not require complex settings, which is convenient when you test ideas or look for quick visual “drafts” for advertising campaigns on screens.

 

The main minus — speed. Craiyon usually thinks longer than most platforms: one request can be processed about a minute. But there is also a plus: you receive immediately 9 pictures, and among them often there are 1–2 variants that can really be used or reworked into a normal creative.

 

The platform offers generation styles, therefore you can quickly test how the same plot looks in different “covers”. This is useful for Digital Signage, where it is important that the image is read in 3–5 seconds and does not overload the screen with small details.

 

With Ukrainian language Craiyon in general copes, but nuances it can lose. That is, the general plot it will understand, but details can “shift”: part of objects will disappear or appear not where you asked. Therefore, if precision is needed, it is better to formulate prompts in English and maximally specifically.

 

In connection with a Digital Signage solution Craiyon can be used as a tool for generation of ideas, and then already refine the final material for the network and launch through remote content management, to quickly update campaigns across all locations.

 

6. Dream by Wombo

 

Dream by Wombo — this is a free neural network for generation of images, which works after registration or login through a Google account. The interface is maximally simple: you enter a text request in English language, choose a style and launch generation.

 

Part of styles is available only in the paid version, in particular Realism v3, which is oriented toward maximally photorealistic results. In free access variants are fewer, but they are enough for creation of creatives of medium complexity.

 

In Dream by Wombo there is no strict limit on quantity of generations, however in the free version per one request only one image is created. In the paid — immediately four. This is worth considering if you plan to massively test visual concepts for a network of screens.

 

We tested the style Dreamland v3 — it is the most close to realism among free variants. The result looks interesting, but at enlargement insufficient detailing is noticeable, especially in small elements and textures. For large formats this can be critical.

 

If you create content for internal video walls or large LED surfaces, it is worth carefully checking detailing, since scaling amplifies all defects of the image.

 

Dream by Wombo is more suitable for:

 

– backgrounds;

 

– conceptual arts;

 

– emotional visuals for branding;

 

– light illustrative creatives.

 

 

For companies that use an application for digital signage or have a system of centralized video management, this service can be an auxiliary tool for quick generation of non-standard background images. However for complex advertising layouts with small details or product photos its capabilities can be insufficient.

 

 

7. Artbreeder

 

Artbreeder — this is a platform with several generation tools. Here it is possible to mix images, create collages, generate pictures by text or work with photos. The feature of the service — the possibility to regulate the degree of similarity of a new image to the previous one with the help of sliders.

 

To begin work, it is necessary to register or log in through Google, choose a tool, enter text or upload a photo — and launch the process.

 

We tested the tool Prompter for generation by description. The result turned out mediocre: the background was worked out weakly, and at enlargement defects in details are noticeable.

 

Also we checked the tool Composer, where it is possible to combine a text description with an uploaded background or portrait. In this case the image had noticeable distortions, and the overall quality left much to be desired.

 

Artbreeder is more suitable for creative experiments or creation of non-standard art images from own photos. But if you need clear commercial visuals for digital menu boards for cafés or advertising panels in shopping spaces, the service can turn out insufficiently precise.

 

For Digital Signage tasks Artbreeder can be used as a tool for search of a creative idea or style, and the final material to refine in a professional editor. This will allow to ensure effective content management and compliance with brand standards.

 

 

8. Fotor

 

Fotor — this is first of all a photo editor into which AI tools are integrated. The service allows generating images by a text request, and also creating avatars in different styles on the basis of several photographs.

 

For access it is necessary to register or log in through Google and go to the tab AI Image Generator. In the free version the user receives only four credits, which is enough for 2–4 images depending on the style.

 

During testing we noticed that the neural network does not always correctly reproduce famous persons. For example, when trying to create an image similar to Julianne Moore, the result was far from the expected. Also there are errors with the anatomy of hands — a widespread problem of many free generators.

 

Despite this, Fotor can be useful for creating quick advertising visuals, banners or background materials for screens in food establishments. If your network uses digital menu boards for cafés, the service will help quickly prepare seasonal illustrations or atmospheric images for updating the design.

 

In combination with a system of centralized video management, such tools allow promptly changing graphics in different locations without physical intervention. This is especially relevant for networks with dozens of points, where effective content management and a quick reaction to a change of prices, promotions or assortment are important.

 

 

9. Adobe Express

 

Adobe is traditionally associated with Photoshop and professional graphics, but in the sphere of AI the company also actively develops. Adobe Express — this is an online service for generating images with the help of artificial intelligence, which combines simplicity of use and powerful design tools.

 

The main advantage of the service — convenience. You enter a text request, choose a format, a style, a composition, add the needed elements — and receive a result without complex settings. The platform understands the Ukrainian language well, which simplifies work for local business.

 

At the output the user receives immediately 4 variants of an image. The quality is usually higher than in many free services: better detailing, a more thought-out composition and fewer random defects. This is important if the content is planned for large formats, for example, for media facades for shopping malls, where any inaccuracies become noticeable.

 

Adobe Express is well suited for creating:

 

– advertising banners;

 

– background images for video walls;

 

– graphics for promotions and seasonal campaigns;

 

– visuals for digital menu or presentations.

 

 

If a business actively uses digital screens, the service allows quickly testing different visual scenarios and adapting them to different formats. This is especially useful when creating atmosphere in business — when it is important that the visual style supports the concept of the space: from a fashion store to a restaurant or a car dealership.

 

The free limit is approximately 25–30 generations per month. After that a premium subscription may be needed (about $9.99 per month). For small networks or test campaigns the free package is often enough.

 

From the point of view of Digital Signage, Adobe Express — this is a tool that allows creating high-quality commercial creatives without complex production. It is suitable both for quick promotional materials and for long-term visual concepts.

 

10. Stable Diffusion 3.5

 

Stable Diffusion — one of the most powerful open models of image generation. It can be installed on a computer as separate software or used online versions through the platforms DreamStudio and Stable Assistant. There also exist mobile applications.

 

After registration the user receives 25 credits. Generation of one image costs approximately 1.2 credits — that is, for free it is possible to create about 20 images.

 

The interface is simple: you enter a prompt, choose a style, format, number of variants, if necessary add a reference — and in 10–15 seconds receive a result.

 

The strong side of Stable Diffusion — flexibility of settings. It is possible to more precisely control composition, detailing, lighting and style. This makes the model suitable not only for experiments, but also for more serious advertising tasks.

 

Stable Diffusion is well suited for creation of complex concepts, which can be used:

 

– on large LED screens;

 

– in advertising campaigns of shopping centers;

 

– in showcase screens of the premium segment;

 

– in creative installations.

 

 

In combination with augmented reality in stores generated visuals can become part of interactive scenarios — for example, when a client scans a marker and sees an expanded 3D visualization of a product.

 

Such tools also influence improvement of customer service. Thanks to quick creation and updating of content a business can promptly react to changes of demand, launch new promotions and test different creatives without large expenses on production.

 

Stable Diffusion is more suitable for users with basic understanding of work with generative models. But exactly this flexibility allows to build large-scale visual concepts — from local screens to media facades for shopping malls, where quality, detailing and compliance with brand standards are important.

 

 

Conclusion: which free AI tools to choose for Digital Signage

 

Generative neural networks have already stopped being simply an experiment for designers. Today this is a real tool for creation of content, which can be used on digital screens of different scale — from small panels in stores to large advertising surfaces in shopping centers.

 

Each of the services in this list has its strong sides. Canva is convenient for quick assembly of ready layouts. Adobe Express gives more professional quality and control of style. Stable Diffusion is suitable for deep adjustment and complex concepts. Other tools work well for testing of ideas, creation of backgrounds or non-standard visual experiments.

 

The main thing — to understand that the tool by itself does not guarantee a result. Effectiveness depends on how exactly a business integrates AI into its system of creation and updating of content. If the process is adjusted, neural networks allow to significantly reduce expenses on production and accelerate launch of campaigns.

 

For Digital Signage this means quick scaling, flexibility in testing of creatives and possibility to promptly react to changes of demand. And in conditions of competitive environment exactly speed and adaptability often become decisive factors.

 

Advision is a content management system for remote control, media planning of video and audio content broadcasting, and a supply-side platform for monetising advertising time. We also implement a Wi-Fi tracking system to measure quantitative indicators of the advertising audience. We help Digital Signage owners and DOOH advertising operators earn money from advertising, automate work processes, and build a reliable media infrastructure using AdTech and MarTech software solutions.

 

Contact us if you want to increase your profits and implement the latest technologies to solve your problems!