Digital Water Curtain | Design and Installation of a Programmable Text and Pattern Water Curtain System

A digital water curtain consists of a row of individually controlled water outlets, with each outlet functioning as a ”pixel.” By programmatically controlling when each pixel opens and closes, the falling water forms text, patterns, and even simple animations in mid-air. This technology advances water features from merely ”viewing their forms” to ”interpreting their content,” making it one of the few types of fountains capable of directly conveying brand messages.

Founded in 2007 · Nanhai, Foshan · Projects spanning more than 50 countries

19+

Years of industry experience

2000+

Complete the Project

50+

Countries Covered

8,000 m²

Factory Floor Area

The Three Types of ”Water Curtains” Are Not the Same Thing

Comparison Items	Digital Water Curtain	Water Screen Movie	Ever-Flowing Water Curtain
Principles of Imaging	The water flow itself acts as pixels, forming patterns as it opens and closes.	The flowing water forms a continuous water curtain, onto which a projector projects an image.	No pattern; forms only a continuous curtain of water
Can the content be displayed?	Yes, the text and patterns are formed directly by the flowing water.	Yes, it can play video files.	Can't
Daytime Visibility	It's pretty good; the water flow has its own shape.	Weak; the projected image is highly susceptible to ambient light	Generally
Core Equipment	High-Speed Solenoid Valve Array + Control System	Projection Screen + Projector + Sound System	Weir-type or curtain-type sprinkler
Main Challenges	Response Time and Pattern Resolution	Screen Flatness and Ambient Light	Uniform water flow

Real-Life Photos of Digital Water Curtain Projects - Programmable Waterfall Patterns

[Please replace with your second photo] Actual photo of a digital water curtain installation—programmable water patterns

[Please replace with your third real-life photo] Real-life photo of a digital water curtain installation—programmable water patterns

Five Technical Factors That Determine Success or Failure

Response Time

The response time of the solenoid valve determines whether the pattern is clear. If the response is slow, the falling water will leave trails and blur into a smudge. This is the key factor that distinguishes digital water curtains from ordinary water curtains.

Distance Between Outlets

Pixel pitch is the same as ”pixel density.” The smaller the pixel pitch, the more detailed the characters and patterns can be rendered; however, this also increases the number of components required and the production cost. A balance must be struck between viewing distance and budget.

Water Flow Patterns

Each water jet must be of uniform thickness and fall in a vertical, stable path. If the machining precision of the water outlets is inadequate or flow stabilization measures are insufficient, the edges of the pattern will appear rough.

Font and Pattern Matching

Due to the limited resolution of dot matrices, complex Chinese characters and graphics with fine lines tend to appear blurry. During the content design phase, adjustments should be made based on the actual number of pixels, rather than simply applying the flat artwork as-is.

Drainage and Waterproofing

A catch basin and a recirculation system must be installed beneath the water curtain, and the solenoid valves and control unit must be reliably protected against water. For indoor projects, special attention must be paid to managing water splashes and floor drainage.

Line of sight

The minimum discernible size of the pattern determines the viewing distance. Before designing, clearly define the primary viewing position and distance, and then work backward to determine the width, height, and pixel density of the water curtain.

Key Technical Specifications

Parameter Items	Standard Configuration
Control Protocol	DMX512 / Art-Net, supports custom pattern sequencing
Actuator	High-Speed Solenoid Valves, Configured by Number of Outlets
Outlet Material	304 / 316L Stainless Steel
Electrical Protection	Control box: IP65 or higher; underwater components: IP68
Content Update	Change designs and text using the control software—no hardware modifications required.

Applicable Scenarios

Commercial Atrium

Shopping mall atriums and walkways can be used to display brand slogans, holiday greetings, and event-themed signage.

Hotels and Exhibition Halls

The lobby feature wall and the entrance to the corporate exhibition hall serve as visual focal points and welcoming spaces.

Culture and Tourism Portal

Entrance areas of scenic spots and theme parks that combine both signage and photo-op appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the digital water curtain display Chinese characters?

Yes, but the characters will need to be adjusted to fit the dot matrix resolution. Chinese characters with complex strokes tend to appear blurry at low resolutions, so it’s generally recommended to use characters with fewer strokes or to increase the size of the water curtain. During the content design phase, we’ll verify readability based on the actual number of pixels.

How is it different from a water screen movie?

Digital water curtains use the flow of water itself to display content as pixels, making them clearly visible even during the day; water screen movies use a projector to project images onto a water curtain, allowing them to play videos, but their daytime performance is greatly affected by ambient light. The two systems differ in both their equipment configurations and cost structures, so the choice depends on what you primarily want to display.

Is outdoor installation affected by wind?

Affected. Wind can disperse the falling water stream, causing the pattern to become distorted. For outdoor projects, it is necessary to assess the on-site wind conditions and, if necessary, install windbreaks or adjust the design of the water curtain. This must be confirmed during the site selection phase.

Can the design be changed at any time?

Yes. The designs are programmed using control software, so changing the text or designs does not require any hardware modifications. If frequent updates are needed, we recommend setting up a remote maintenance channel.

Does it require a lot of routine maintenance?

This primarily involves regular inspections of the solenoid valve and the water outlet, as well as water quality management. In areas with hard water or high levels of impurities, filtration must be enhanced; otherwise, the water outlet is prone to clogging, which can affect the pattern quality.

How long will the construction take?

Standard projects typically take 45–90 days, while complex projects take 3–6 months. For projects involving coordination between civil engineering and interior finishing work, the timeline is often significantly affected by on-site progress.

Need a digital water curtain solution and a quote?

Please provide the installation location, viewing distance, and the content you wish to display, and we can provide a preliminary proposal and equipment configuration.

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