Electronic Kiosk Covers: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Electronic kiosks are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in our technology-driven world. Each unit represents a significant investment, whether it’s installed in airports, shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, stadiums, or other facilities. Covers for electronic kiosks are often treated as an afterthought, but the right cover extends equipment lifespan, improves and maintains kiosk appearance, leads to less maintenance and downtime, improves security, and improves overall customer experience.
But how do you go about selecting the right covers for electronic kiosks? Many generic or stock covers will not fit correctly, may not be made of the right materials for protection, or may be easy to tamper with, which eliminates their usefulness. Custom covers, on the other hand, are a sewn solution that can solve these problems.
Today, we’ll be exploring everything you need to know about electronic kiosk covers before purchasing. From what conditions your kiosks will go through to what type of protection is needed, we’ll provide you with an overview of all the ins and outs of making your first electronic kiosk cover purchase.
Are Custom Covers for Kiosks Worth the Investment?
A custom kiosk cover is no longer just an accessory—instead, it’s a kiosk asset that should not be disregarded. Electronic kiosks contain fragile components and covering them every night or when they are closed can lead to a longer equipment life overall as well as a reduced need for maintenance. Kiosk covers can also improve appearance and help to manage traffic flow, which improves customer perception all while helping to create greater brand consistency across multiple locations.
Finally, electronic kiosk covers can enhance security and protection for a significant investment. With many kiosks selling for thousands of dollars new, it’s important to shield your investment properly.
Environment Means All: Choosing Kiosk Covers for Differing Conditions
Before any decisions are made about electronic kiosk cover materials or design, the first thing on your mind should be the conditions that the kiosk is exposed to.
Here are some things to think about in terms of environment:
Is the kiosk located indoors or outdoors?
Is the electronic kiosk exposed to the elements?
Is it in a public space or located only where employees can access it?
Is it stored seasonally, or protected daily in any way?
Is it located in a high-traffic venue like a shopping mall or airport or a more controlled environment, like a hospital?
The answers to these questions will determine what type of cover is needed, as certain materials and designs work best in specific contexts. A heavy-duty ballistic nylon cover may be necessary to prevent tampering in areas where theft or vandalism are specific concerns, while a thinner and lighter 210D fabric would be more appropriate for electronic kiosks that are located behind locked doors each night to protect from dust and debris.
Vulnerabilities of Electronic Kiosks (and How Covers Help)
Not all electronic kiosks are manufactured alike, and each kiosk has different sets of vulnerabilities. Touchscreens are quite common on electronic kiosks, and they are often the most vulnerable points on the entire unit, but that doesn’t mean that other additions like payment terminals, barcode scanners, and receipt printers should be ignored in a cover design.
To get the best cover possible, ensure your design protects the entire system, not just the most important components. Even graphics, branding, and painted finishes are often subject to wear and tear, and a design that incorporates this knowledge is one that will last longer and work better than ones just designed to cover up vital components.
The Importance of Custom Fit for Covers
A stock cover and a custom cover differ in one significant way: fit. When you utilize a stock or generic cover, there’s a risk of it not fitting, as it was not manufactured specifically to fit the dimensions of the electronic kiosk. In general, electronic kiosks tend to vary widely, which makes universal covers that fit correctly nearly impossible to find.
However, when you purchase a custom-made electronic kiosk cover, you know you’re getting exactly what you need because it is crafted to the exact specs of the kiosk it is covering. For kiosks in outdoor areas, this ensures a secure fit even in windy conditions. In addition, custom covers can be manufactured for unique kiosk shapes and have openings for ventilation or accessories.
How to Choose the Right Material for an Electronic Kiosk Cover
As we mentioned earlier, the environment that a kiosk is exposed to will determine the material selection of the cover, but the application of the cover also makes a big difference. If a cover is being utilized to protect from the elements, a heavy-duty marine-grade fabric like 600D solution dyed polyester is a good option, as it is UV, mold, mildew, and water resistant. If the cover is located indoors, however, and is only being used to prevent theft and tampering, a thinner fabric may suffice as a visual deterrent.
Another consideration to keep in mind when selecting fabric is its long-term durability. If the cover is used every day to protect an electronic kiosk from dust and debris, you’ll want a fabric that can hold up well over the years instead of a cheaper fabric that will only last you a few months.
Security Features for Electronic Kiosk Covers
Electronic kiosks can be vulnerable if they are not protected properly, and while security is not always at the forefront of kiosk manufacturer’s minds, it should be. Custom covers can come equipped with security features that will protect the kiosk, such as:
Lockable zippers
Security cables
Tamper-resistant materials
Easily visible “Closed” or offline messaging
The Opportunity to Brand Custom Covers for Electronic Kiosks
An aspect of custom covers that is often overlooked is the opportunity to brand—a cover doesn’t have to disappear into the background.
When you work with a manufacturer like Equip to create custom covers for electronic kiosks, there is the option to add logos or facility branding to the cover itself, allowing you to passively advertise your brand even during off-hours. Other reasons to imprint on covers include the ability to add wayfinding or operating instructions, input QR codes, or even communicate “Out of Service” messaging without needing to inconvenience customers.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Ordering a Custom Kiosk Cover
Where will the kiosk be located?
How often will the cover be removed?
Does the kiosk need to stay plugged in?
Will employees install the cover daily?
Does it need to lock?
Are there accessories attached?
Will branding be added?
Are multiple kiosk models involved?
The Full Manufacturing Process: Working with a Custom Cover Manufacturer like Equip, Inc.
The process of working with a manufacturer to roll out custom covers for electronic kiosks can vary quite a bit, but any manufacturer with a commitment to quality will almost always follow the steps set out below:
1. Quote form or email inquiry: This is the first step: an inquiry via email or our quote form. The customer fills out the form and submits it to Equip.
2.Receiving measurements, line drawings, and photos: Once the form or email is submitted, Equip may have questions to clarify what the measurements are or how photos appear.
3. Design and material recommendations: After Equip has a good idea of the size and shape of the kiosk that needs to be covered, we’ll give our material and design recommendations via an estimate to the customer.
4. Purchase and production: If the customer wants to order the cover, they’ll make their purchase and Equip will begin production of the cover(s).
5. Quality check: Before the covers are sent out for delivery, they are checked to ensure that they meet Equip’s quality standards.
6. Final delivery: After all is said and done, the covers are delivered to the customer.
Electronic Kiosk Covers: A Sound Investment
Selecting the right electronic kiosk cover isn’t about just one feature. Instead, think about the combination of materials, fit, security, and design that will perfectly match the environment the kiosk is in and the equipment that it’s protecting.
When you educate yourself about your options before you dive into ordering covers for electronic kiosks, you’ll get a cover that performs well from its first installation through years and years of daily usage.
FAQs
-
The application of the cover and the environment that it will be in will heavily determine the materials used on the cover. For instance, a dust cover for an electronic kiosk located indoors at all times will likely be made of lighter, thinner fabric such as 210D, as it won’t need as much protection as an outdoor kiosk of the same type would.
-
Yes, it’s simple and relatively low-cost to add a company logo to an Equip custom cover. Just send over the vector file of the logo or artwork you’d like printed along with your dimensions, and we’ll take it from there.
-
Lead times for Equip typically range between 3-5 weeks.
Order Your Custom Electronic Kiosk Covers Today
Equip Inc. manufactures custom electronic kiosk covers in the USA, tailored to your specifications. Our weather-resistant, lockable designs are trusted by organizations nationwide: from stadiums and transportation hubs to hospitals and retail chains.
📧 Email: info@equipinc.com 📞 Call: 719-599-0300
Request a quote today and keep your assets covered, protected, and ready for anything.
