Menu Cover Design Tips

Oct 142010
 

The importance of menu cover design should not be overlooked when considering a new look or theme for a restaurant or eating establishment. After the sign and the entry of the business, this item is the next piece of written material patrons will see. It should make a good impression and convey the message of other marketing materials. It should also look professional and coordinate with the theme of the inside decor, such as in the seating, lighting and general ambiance.

If the business also uses a website or printed ads in a magazine or other publication, this item should include the same logo and message. It can be viewed as a final piece of marketing material, so it should align with other efforts. It should also be attractive, but not overwhelming. Different materials such as leather, plastic, vinyl and others are available. The type of material selected for these protectors may depend on the type of food the establishment serves and whether the environment is formal or informal.

Menu covers can say quite a bit about the restaurant. If the place is more upscale, a dark leather protector with gold or silver lettering is very classy. It tells patrons the establishment takes pride in its appearance and can serve as an indicator of what guests should expect of the food selections.

For those restaurants who want to show off their special logo or emblem on paper, a clear vinyl protector may be the best menu cover idea.  It’s a great option and has advantages over other choices as well. It is ideal for family friendly places that serve families and children. The menu cover can simply be wiped off with a disinfectant solution. Not only does this keep the list readable, it helps to prevent the spread of germs.

Custom menu covers can be order in the exact size and style that is desired. Though they may cost a bit more than others, they can really help accentuate the style of the eatery. A place that specializes in barbecue may want menu holders with a wood frame, to coordinate with a rustic indoor look. An odd size may also help the restaurant to distinguish itself from others, particularly if the place is trendy and serves contemporary dishes. Prices for these items will vary, depending on style. They will also depend on the number ordered. A typical clear vinyl with woven edges will cost around $2 each for two dozen. However, the price for each item drops significantly, with greater quantities.

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High-Quality Cheap Menu Covers

Sep 112010
 

You are a restaurant manager or owner in charge of budgeting for the direct operational costs of your dining institution, there are many different facets you must consider. From the pricing of utensils, stemware, and china to the costs of linens and decor, there are a number of different items and services that must be considered. While direct operating expenses make up quite a bit of the overhead costs associated with your restaurant, you must also consider the monthly occupancy fees, utilities, administration costs, marketing, and the costs that are caused by unforeseen repairs. Owning a restaurant, while it is a dream come true for many, can be a stressful and draining business if budgeting is not taken seriously. With all of the larger expenses spoken for, many managers fail to recognize the importance of budgeting for plastic or vinyl menu covers. While your choice of cover will speak volumes about your establishment to your patrons, it is important to know how to save money on cheap menu covers, without them looking inexpensive or unprofessional.

Most restaurant operators on a budget understand the importance of the look and contents of their menu. While the food they serve and the environment they serve it in is ultimately the reason a patron will visit your establishment, the design and look of your menu will speak about your business as a whole. While some businesses are fortunate to order case-bound padded menus that are customized and add elegance to any dining experience, in this economic state even commercial consumers are looking to save costs in every possible avenue of running their business. In order to save money, restaurant operation managers are browsing the Internet for more practical vinyl and plastic menu covers that will provide the protection paper menus need with the exorbitant price tag associated with other Pajco or De-Lite covers.

Think In Terms of Discount Menu Covers

If you are looking to trim costs, consider investing in bulk vinyl menu covers sold online for as low as $15 per dozen. Calculating at just about one dollar per menu cover, these alternatives are heat-sealed for maximum menu protection. Coming in a number of different styles from the single pocket 2-view, to the more versatile quad pocket booklet design for added versatility, restaurant owners will save thousands per year on their menu cover investment. The very versatile vinyl material can withstand high-traffic exposures, smudging, liquid spills, and heat, keeping your paper menus looking new and protected. With the added protection you will also cut down on additional printing costs caused by damaged paper menus. With the heat-edges you can achieve the laminated look you desire without paying for lamination.

Even menu cover manufacturers are struggling to maintain their businesses. With a number of different restaurants and dining institutions going out of business, the sales of padded covers has dropped significantly. Because of this cover manufacturers are adjusting prices and focusing on more affordable menu cover materials in order to keep up with the low cost demand of economy plastic covers. Manufacturers such as ClearGuard Products have even launched their own economy brand of plastic and heat-sealed covers and are committed to gaining loyal customers with their high-quality low-priced covers. Browse various inventories online and find those cheap menu covers that will live up to your quality expectations.

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Metal Menu Cover

Sep 252009
 

Similar to the way that other menu covers make your menu pop, the metal menu cover is a great choice for that truly unique look.  There are a variety of metals to choose from as well.  The most popular choices are stainless steel and aluminum as far as a silver look is concerned.  Finishes can also be custom designed and could incorporate a variety of metal effects and patterns.  These will be discussed shortly.  Another popular choice is the use of copper for the cover in part or for the whole thing.  None of these are really available in cheap menu covers, but they are well worth the investment to really make a statement.

A brushed metal look.

A brushed metal look with an embossed logo and text.

The different finishes include both texturing effects as well as engraving, cutting, embossing, and chemical finishes that can produce unique patinas.  Texturing finishes would look like brushed aluminum or swirls ground into the steel, just as an example.  Logos and other images or text can be cut into the metal itself or embossed onto the metal creating a brand for your restaurant.  Finishes are more common with the copper and brass metal choices and include agents that produce a nice patina that enhances the look and uniqueness of each cover.

Keep in mind that when we talk about metal covers, we must understand that this requires some type of backing or base upon which the metal is attached.  Unless you have a café menu that doesn’t require a folded design, odds are the weight of your menu will be a concern if you were to use all metal.  For this reason, the base would consist of some type of wood or fiber layer over which the thin metal sheet is wrapped and attached.

The same theory or concept applies to all types of menu covers, not just metal ones.  For example, consider the leather menu cover.  This one will also require some type of base or backing to which the leather is wrapped and then fastened.  Leather can be glued using a variety of applications or can be stitched to the base for an entirely different look.

Likewise, the thin metal sheet – whether aluminum, stainless steel, copper or brass – can be made to ‘wrap’ around the base and then be attached in a variety of ways.  The most popular and durable way is by using a special tape reinforced by rivets.  Sometimes, the look calls for a simple cloth-taped edge.  With any application, the choice you make will be guaranteed to be capable of normal use and withstand the regular opening and closing a menu obviously endures.  Check out some great brass covers here.

Your restaurant menu cover speaks volumes about your taste and food choices long before your server even comes into the picture.  In order to give your guests the impression you want to convey, consider the other elements of your restaurant.  In other words, how would a menu cover that is made of metal reflect your other style elements?  Is metal the appropriate material to use?  After all, there are other options like the leather mentioned above.  Also, there are the custom styles that involve materials like cork, wood, and even fabric elements.  Considering other ecologically-minded trends, there are also ‘green’ menu cover choices like bamboo.  The main point to consider is to maintain a look that is consistent in the minds of your guests.

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Leather Menu Cover

Sep 242009
 

Are you looking for a way to make your restaurant menu cover a one of a kind, statement piece to your guests before they even get to look at your food selections?  Well, if you are, then look no further than leather menu covers.  These are a classic, a stand by.  The statement and presence that you get when presented with a well-worn leather menu is something that is unmistakable.  So, what statement are you looking to make?

If your restaurant or café is trying to position itself as a fixture in the community or attract a well-traveled or refined taste, then you only have a few choices as far as menu covers are concerned. Well, let’s rephrase that.  You can choose what ever you like, but there are only a few styles that will be a best fit if you want your menu to be regarded well in the eyes of your guests.

Are Leather Menu Covers The Only Way To Go?

As we’ve mentioned, leather is an obvious and more common and easily found way to go.  However, you also have unlimited choices if you go with more of a custom menu cover.  In this category, you have more options as far as sizes, materials, and mixed ‘media’ as well.  For example, if you are wanting to get a unique look, then you could opt for a style that is made with metal.  There are a variety of metal menu cover choices.

These would include things like brushed aluminum, stainless steels and even metals like copper and brass.  Copper has some interesting options as well.  A popular style of copper cover is one that is treated with a chemical agent that causes the copper to develop a very unique patina to it.  This will give each menu cover a unique look of its own.  This is certainly a nice touch for the discriminating guest.

This type of leather is not as sophisticated looking as aged, Italian leather.

This type of leather is not as sophisticated looking as aged, Italian leather.

Back to the topic at hand, a leather menu cover can be made unique in its own right.  Keep in mind that we are also talking about real leather here.  There are also faux leather styles, sometimes called leatherette, that are very common.  We are not discussing these types.  With a real leather, you can get the unique grain characteristics and wear that comes with age.  Nothing can replace this look and feel of real leather.  In addition, you can get an image or the name of your restaurant embossed on the menu cover itself for that added sense of identity and branding.

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Menu Cover Ideas

Sep 242009
 

The search for the perfect match between menu and cover for that menu can seem daunting at first.  After all, you’d like for your guests to experience the best that your restaurant has to offer and feel good about what they see.  Your menu cover will be their first chance to get a sense of the style and consistency with your decor and food choices.  When we talk about topics like these, we are really getting into the nitty gritty of what gives a restaurant or niche café staying power – these menu cover ideas do make a difference.

An old menu in need of some new menu cover ideas.

An old menu in need of some new menu cover ideas.

What you will notice of dining establishments that stick around long enough to be profitable for long periods of time is that they are consistent.  You’ve probably heard the saying that a huge part of success is just showing up.  In our case, this means showing up and being reliable and consistent.  Being reliable in many respects means that your restaurant’s design is consistent with your guest’s expectations.  Notice we haven’t even talked about food yet.  When your menu covers reflect a certain personality that is also present in the food choices, you’ve just achieved another level of consistency.  What you will notice is that over time, maintaining this level of consistency breeds loyalty from your guests as well.

When people know what to expect from you – or your restaurant – they can be more free to recommend it to others.  If your style, service, food and other aspects are inconsistent, people get uncomfortable.  This can even mean changes that are designed to improve your establishment.  This doesn’t mean don’t improve, it means change with feedback and notice.  Allow your loyal guests to participate in the process where possible.

Have A Custom Menu Cover Contest

This is an example of something that can get your guests involved and also earn you some free press in the local media.  In this case, you could put the word out that your restaurant is holding a contest to design their new menu covers.  The winner of the custom menu cover contest will win a free dinner for four or something like that.  You could set the parameters such as material choices or even just have a place on the cover where the winning logo or text would appear.  This way, you could still maintain control over the main aspects of your design.

This is important because if you are set on getting leather menu covers with an elegant looking embossed image, you will not be inundated with metal designs or inserts for those simple plastic menu cover styles.  Something that has worked for some is to have a metal menu cover with a circle, oval or square space cut out of the center of the cover itself.  While certainly not a cheap menu cover choice, it will give you a considerably unique appearance.  This can then be fitted with a holder on the rear aspect of the main cover and can be made to hold an image or some sort of logo, shape or other design.

In the end, it is really a matter of choice as to how you will keep the covers for your menu consistent with the overall theme of your restaurant and food choices.  This is one of those things that seems very trivial to someone who has a hard time visualizing the details.  However, when all the little things work properly, it is much easier to work on larger aspects such as service and public relations.  After all, if the guests aren’t coming or returning, more importantly, then you don’t need any type of menu cover in the first place.

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