Custom menu printing allows restaurants to show off their best dishes, showcase their entire menu, and provide customers with a way to order food both in-house and for takeout or delivery. There are so many different custom printing options available, including various sizes, styles, and materials, giving you the power to transform your image and create the perfect finished product, no matter what kind of restaurant you run.
If you’re switching to take-out or have decided to start offering disposable printed menus, that’s another reason to consider revamping and reorganizing things or looking at a whole new printing solution. Regardless of where you’re at in the process or what you need, Print Bind Ship is here to help.
7 Tips for Creating a Restaurant Menu
Creating a food menu isn’t a challenging process. It’s about making sure you include everything, pick the best photos, and choose a template or layout that fits. Let’s find out more below:
1. Understand The Purpose of Menu Printing
Menus act as marketing tools that go beyond listing food options; they have the power to influence customer behavior. By strategically placing certain items or using descriptive language, restaurants can steer customers towards specific dishes. For example, highlighting a signature item or featuring mouth-watering imagery can create an irresistible appeal that encourages customers to try those dishes.
Additionally, presenting complementary items or suggesting combinations can also drive up sales, as customers are more likely to opt for these options when making their selections.
2. Choosing the Right Design and Layout
Choosing the right design and layout for the menu is equally important. The design should align with the restaurant’s brand identity and target audience. For a casual or family-oriented establishment, a lively and approachable design may be more effective, while a fine-dining restaurant may opt for a sleek and elegant layout. Key design elements like font style, color scheme, and imagery can greatly impact the overall look and feel of the menu. These elements should be carefully selected to create a visually appealing and cohesive design that entices customers to explore the menu further.
3. Optimizing Menu Content
Convenience is key, so the menu should be organized logically and categorically. Grouping items under clear headings such as appetizers, main courses, and desserts, allows customers to navigate the menu easily.
Likewise, emphasizing the most profitable or popular dishes is essential. This can be done by highlighting them, using eye-catching imagery, or even creating special sections dedicated to these items.
If you’re unsure whether to add or remove items from your restaurant menu, know that 54% of restaurants increased the number of items on their menu last year, while only 24% reduced them.
4. Incorporating High-Quality Images
The use of high-quality food images on menus can significantly impact a customer’s dining experience and decision-making process. Including enticing images of delicious dishes can increase customer engagement and ultimately increase sales.
To capture captivating food photography, know that lighting is key. Ensure you have sufficient natural or artificial lighting that highlights the colors and textures of the food. Additionally, angle and composition play a vital role.
Experiment with different angles to showcase the most appetizing aspects of each dish, and choose a visually pleasing composition. Finally, pay attention to food styling. Garnishes, props, and plating techniques can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the dish.
5. Print Material Selection
When it comes to print material selection for menus, there are several options to consider. Glossy paper is a common choice as it provides a high-quality finish and enhances the vibrancy of images. However, it can be prone to glare and fingerprint smudges. Laminated finishes, on the other hand, offer durability and protection against spills and stains, but can dull the visual impact.
Consider the specific needs of your business, such as the frequency of menu updates and overall durability, when choosing the most suitable option.
6. Considerations for Size and Format
Size and format are important factors to consider in menu design. A well-designed menu should be easy to read and navigate. Depending on your business’s specific needs, single-page, bi-fold, or tri-fold formats are popular options.
Single-page menus are simple and concise, while bi-fold and tri-fold menus may work best for takeout menus as they allow for more extensive information. Consider the size of the menu as well, ensuring it’s appropriate for your target market and works with your overall restaurant brand.
7. Applying Branding Elements
Incorporating branding elements into the menu design is essential for effective restaurant marketing. Consistent use of logos, colors, and taglines helps to reinforce brand identity and create a cohesive visual experience. Take inspiration from successful examples of menu branding integration, such as incorporating the restaurant’s logo as a watermark or using brand colors as accents throughout the design.
Striking a balance between showcasing enticing food images and enhancing brand recognition is key to creating a visually appealing and effective menu design.
How to Design Your Own Restaurant Menu?
When it comes to menus, whether for a restaurant, cafe, or any other type of food business, using menu templates or graphic design sources like Canva can be a game-changer.
Menu templates offer a range of pre-designed layouts, fonts, and images that can be easily customized to suit your brand and style. With just a few clicks, you can create a professional-looking menu that captures the attention of your customers and entices them to try out your offerings. Additionally, these templates are often designed by industry experts, ensuring that your menu is not only eye-catching but also optimized for readability and user-friendliness.
Canva, a popular online graphic design platform, takes menu customization to the next level. With its vast library of design elements, including fonts, colors, and illustrations, it allows you to create a menu that perfectly reflects your brand’s identity.
Moreover, Canva offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to those with little to no design experience. You can easily drag and drop elements, resize images, and add your text, resulting in a visually stunning and professional menu that showcases your offerings in the best possible light.
If you’re looking for assistance, consider working one-on-one with a graphic designer or hiring an expert to design something truly custom and unique to your food brand.
How to Print Menus Online?
When it comes to printing menus online, working with a reliable and reputable printing company like Print Bind Ship to print products can make all the difference. Print Bind Ship offers a wide range of printing services, from menus to custom merchandise – to help you establish and enhance your brand identity.
With our expertise in printing, you can rest assured that your menus will have a professional and polished look, leaving a lasting impression on your customers. Listed below are some of the benefits of using the services of Print Bind Ship.
Easy Online Custom Menu Ordering Process
With just a few clicks, you can upload your menu design, choose your preferred printing options, and place your order. No more hassle of dealing with local printers or going back and forth with emails or phone calls. Print Bind Ship takes care of everything from start to finish, ensuring a smooth and efficient printing process.
Ideal for Customization
We understand that each restaurant has its unique brand and style, which is why we offer a wide range of customization options to meet your specific needs. Whether you need to go over different paper types, cardstock, or lamination – we’ve got you covered. If you’re exploring various menu options, finishes, or sizes and folds, you have the freedom to create a menu that truly reflects your restaurant’s personality and vision.
Fast Turnaround Time
Whether you need menus for a grand opening event or want to update your current offerings quickly, Print Bind Ship is dedicated to delivering your printed menus on time without compromising on quality. Our efficient printing process combined with our attention to detail ensures that you receive high-quality menus that will impress your customers and make a positive impact on your business.
What Is The Standard Menu Size?
While most menus are the size of standard letter paper or smaller (8.5” x 11”), some are larger, offering a grander impression. Like all things, you can customize the size and style of your menu to your needs.
Custom Menu Styles
No matter what you have in mind, there are several menu styles to choose from and most can be customized to your exact needs.
Single-Page Menu
A single-page menu is usually nothing more than a standard sheet of 8.5” x 11”. It may be printed on one or both sides and could be in color or black and white. The menu could be smaller or larger, depending on the preference of the restaurant, and these are usually designed for in-house dining. Many are laminated for easy cleaning. Some are disposable, as well.
Long Menu
A long menu is typically still a single page, but it will usually measure 8.5” x 14” or about 4” x 8” to offer a slimmer profile. These are used for dining in the restaurant or takeout and can sometimes be easier to read or offer a more modern design. They’re also easier to handle for some people. Again, they can be printed on one or both sides, in color or black and white, and with any design and template you desire.
Bi-Fold Menu
Bi-fold menus are available in multiple sizes, although they often come in an 8.5” x 11” sheet that is folded in half. In some cases, they may be smaller so that they have slim panels like a tri-fold menu without the third panel. These can be printed in color or black and white, and with print on all sides. They can be laminated or designed as disposable products for takeout.
Tri-Fold Menu
Tri-fold menus are generally made of a standard 8.5” x 11” sheet of paper that is folded three times. This offers a total of six panels for your menu, specials, restaurant, information, and more. They can be printed in black and white or color and can be made from many types of paper.
What’s Next: Menu Printing With Print Bind Ship
If you find yourself in need of a menu upgrade, now is the time to act. At Print Bind Ship, we have a full range of custom menu solutions to help you get everything that you need. Whether you’ve already got a design or you’re just in the market for a new menu and want some assistance along the way, our team of experts is here to help.
We have a selection of paper stocks, menu formats and templates, and resources to ensure that you get the most professional-looking menu that reflects your restaurant’s image, no matter what that means to you. Feeling eco-friendly? Ask about our recycled paper options, too.
Get in touch for a free quote on your project here!
FAQ
Menu printing is crucial for restaurants because it serves as a primary marketing tool and helps create a lasting impression on customers. A well-designed and visually appealing menu can entice diners, increasing the chances of them trying out new dishes and spending more.
Moreover, printed menus are tangible items that customers can take with them, allowing them to recall the restaurant and recommend it to others.
When designing a menu, several factors should be taken into account. Firstly, consider your target audience and tailor the menu’s aesthetics, font styles, and colors accordingly. Secondly, focus on readability by using clear fonts and contrasting colors to ensure that customers can easily navigate through the menu.
It’s also essential to include high-quality images of your dishes, as they can influence customers’ subconscious decision-making processes. Lastly, consider the size and shape of the menu to ensure that it’s practical and easy to handle.
Yes, it’s highly recommended to update your menu periodically. Regular updates allow you to showcase seasonal ingredients, introduce new dishes, and keep your offerings fresh and exciting for customers. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to adjust pricing and incorporate customer feedback, helping to keep your business competitive in a constantly evolving market.