The Flipchart Easel

Traditionally, the flipchart easel consisted of a dry erase whiteboard or a paper pad mounted on a tripod or four supports. The presenter writes text on the white board or paper to display information or charts and graphs for an audience. They are useful when conveying information through a building process - a building process that is utilized in an environment where handwritten text or drawings are the preferred or best method to communicate information. Rather than presenting all of the information at once, the presenter can reveal each dimension of the presentation page-by-page, line-by-line, or play-by-play. 

With paper flipchart easels, the presenter can often display his or her presentation notes on the back of the chart as a reminder of the key points of the presentation. 

A flipchart easel can be used in many different environments:

1) Meetings and brainstorming sessions
2) Educational, instructional and classroom environments
3) Corporate training classes
4) Art classes as palettes for artists in training
5) Locker rooms for displaying sports game strategy

As improvements are made, the flipchart easel includes several new features that increase the usability and convenience for the presenter. Current designs include:

Traditional Steel Whiteboard Flipchart Easel.

The whiteboard is supported by three or four steel legs that are linked together at one concentric point. To provide a solid base, the legs extend at angles from a single point to the floor. In the three leg configuration, each leg of the easel represents the points of a triangle - this withstands the pressure, so that it will not topple over from writing on the flipchart during a meeting or presentation. 
In the four leg configuration, each leg would extend to the floor. The floor would act as the base of an isosceles triangle on each side of the easel. This design also provides substantial support during instruction. 

Steel Mounted Whiteboard Flipchart Easel on Wheels

This type of easel consists of a flat surface that holds the whiteboard in place. From the flat surface, a single or dual extension is attached and extends to the floor by a multitude of various rolling mechanisms. 

Some of the rolling bases resemble the five pronged, star configuration base of an office chair. Other designs consist of two extensions connected to two horizontal bars at 90 degree angles. The rolling mechanisms are at either end of the horizontal bar. Both designs provide a stable base.

A flipchart on wheels increases mobility of the instructor by allowing them to move about their meeting space with ease. With this design, the instructor no longer has to physically lift the easel in order to increase the line of sight of his or her audience. 

Prices range massively depending upon the style and functionality. The most expensive flipchart easels consist of whiteboards with two sides that the presenter can alternate between via a rotating mechanism.