printed menus - menu printing

What is menu printing?

Menu printing is the process of printing menus on various media. The type of media used, depends upon the proposed use for the printed menus. For example, if the printed menu material is to be inserted into menu covers, then the media type would only need to be a fairly lightweight paper stock. This is because a menu cover can protect the integrity of a printed menu.

However, for some establishments, traditional menu covers and menu holders are not practical. They do not provide the desired visual impact and are bulky, taking up valuable table space. For these establishments, a more viable option is to have printed menus, on more robust media, such as heavyweight card. This type of printed menu can be used directly on the table, without a specialist cover.

What can be achieved with menu print?
Menu printing can provide a good degree of freedom, in terms of the design and layout of menu information. Modern, full colour printing techniques enable restaurant menu printing to be presented in eye-catching, striking designs. The ability to matt or gloss laminate paper products means that product life is good for printed menus.

Not only can modern techniques enable full colour restaurant menu printing, it is also possible to carry out further customisation using post-print processing. Post-print processing includes die-cutting, folding and perforating. It is therefore possible to design and print menus in a wide variety of sizes, that unfold to show more information.

For example, from a print size of A3, using folding techniques, it is possible to create a restaurant menu print that folds to be A4 tall and narrow. These menus can then be slotted into a table top menu holder, minimising table space usage. It is also possible to have this menu print die-cut, to the design of your choice, further customising the menu design to fit to the establishment.

Who needs printed menus?
Menu printing is needed for any establishment that presents their customers with a printed menu. Establishments that use menu covers require their menu inserts to be printed. Large pubs, such as chain pubs, use large format menu print within their establishments. Small food outlets, such as pizza and kebab houses, Chinese takeaways and Indian takeaways all use a printed menu, take away menu or take away leaflet.

Take away menus - More often than not, smaller establishments need to have their takeaway menu printing carried out regularly, due to high usage rates and fluctuating prices. This type of menu printing is generally regular orders of small quantities. Regular printing of smaller quantities provides businesses with the ability to change their pricing and menu information, to keep in line with current trends and competitors pricing.

Is menu printing expensive?
A general rule of thumb for print prices is "the more you print the cheaper the unit price". Therefore small print runs of take away leaflets have, traditionally, been less cost effective than larger quantity print runs of take away menus or printed menu material. However, with modern digital printers, it is possible to print small quantity runs at very reasonable prices. For takeaway restaurant establishments, printing can be a large proportion of budget. It is therefore imperative that these establishments find a source of cheap menu printing.

The most important point to bear in mind, when trying to source cheap menu printing, is that if a price is extremely cheap, the quality of the product will be reflected in the price. Unfortunately there are a large proportion of printing companies that provide substandard products. The use of poor quality materials, inks, and machinery, means that, although the price may be very low, the end product is disappointing. When trying to promote and sell food offers then this scenario can reflect badly on the quality of your product, therefore, it is important to source a high quality printed menu.

There are of course good printing companies out there, which provide high quality menu printing. Some of these companies are also able to offer very competitive prices and be competitive in the cheap menu printing market. However, there are a couple of ways to help reduce the cost of menu print. By selecting more cost effective paper stock, such as 150gsm, it is possible to alleviate some price. It is also possible to shave further money off printing menus by using a single colour design, negating the use of a full colour print process on your menu print.

A reputable printing company should be able to offer you friendly and helpful advice. They should do their level best to provide high quality menu printing at cheap menu printing prices. Their main focus will be satisfying their customer's printing requirements, whilst maintaining high quality products and services.

Menu Printing West Midlands, printed menus West Midlands, Birmingham, Shropshire, Telford and Shrewsbury by Smart Design and Print Shrewsbury.