LG has announced the development of a new OLED panel manufacturing technology that addresses the main problems associated with this type of screen – high cost and limited lifespan. The new technology is called FLiPP, which stands for innovative pixel formation without the use of a thin metal mask. OLED screens use one or more layers of self‑emitting red, green, and blue LEDs and do not require additional backlighting. This is precisely what ensures the virtually infinite contrast ratio and deep black color that panels have been valued for in recent years. However, applying organic diodes to the substrate remains an extremely complex process.

For decades, LG and Samsung relied on the so‑called thin metal mask, which works like a stencil when placing each organic element. This method is expensive and wasteful, as a significant portion of the organic material is lost during production. In addition, each diagonal and resolution requires its own mask, which is why many manufacturers offer TVs and monitors with identical matrix characteristics. In a press release about the new technology, LG stated that one of the main advantages of FLiPP is that the technology is not limited by panel size and resolution. Theoretically, it can be used to produce displays ranging from one to one hundred inches, and not only for conventional panels, but also for VR and AR displays.

Instead of a stencil, FLiPP uses ultraviolet radiation, which evaporates organic materials across the entire area of the substrate with high precision. According to the developers, the formation of the pixel structure is even more precise than when using a traditional mask. The declared specifications look impressive: LG promises brightness that is 1.6 times higher, power consumption that is 13 percent lower, and a service life that is more than twice as long as that of current panels. The last point is especially important, as conventional LED screens traditionally last longer than OLEDs. The new technology could extend the service life of contrast panels beyond the eight to sixteen‑year mark that is considered typical for OLEDs today.

In parallel, TCL CSOT is pursuing similar goals with its OLED inkjet printing technology, although it has not disclosed technical details as thoroughly as LG. MSI and Lenovo have already showcased monitors and laptops with panels manufactured using the inkjet printing method, and more such announcements are expected. FLiPP can be evaluated for the first time at the International Meeting on Information Display in 2026, which is currently taking place in Busan, South Korea. It’s not worth expecting that all new OLED panels will immediately switch to this technology.