Month: September 2022

Print To Go, Dine In, and Other Kinds of Menus

Those who are in the food business would know how tough the competition gets sometimes. All restaurants have something different to offer and most of the time, diners get torn about where to eat so they just pick the first restaurant that comes to mind. This is why it is important for restaurateurs and anyone who owns a food business, big or small, to invest in dine in, print to go menus and other types of menus. Read on to find out the difference between the different types available.

Different Types of Menus

A menu basically sets the tone for the type of food that you will be serving your customers. If you have a pizzeria, for example, you might have a black-and-white menu with hand drawn drawings of pizza ingredients. The flavors, prices, and a short description will be printed, along with instructions on how to place orders. So what are the different types of menus available?

  • Dine In Menu

This is perhaps the most well-known type of menu out there. Once you walk into a restaurant, you get handed the dine in menu so that you can choose what to order for starters, the main course, and dessert. Dine in menus are designed to suit the theme and feel of the restaurant. A casual diner, for instance, would have a less sophisticated menu than a leatherbound menu for more formal restaurants.

  • Takeout Menu

Takeout menus are printed on less expensive paper than dine in menus because they are more for promotional purposes. You want people to place repeat orders, order something for takeout, or for delivery. Thus, your takeout menu should consist of high-profit items which are easy and quick to prepare.

  • Table Tents

Table tents are mini menus which feature a special promotion or soup for the day. These are displayed on top of the table where customers are dining in.

  • Countertop Signs

Countertop signs are exactly that: signs displayed on restaurants. These have short messages and they are posted on areas where they can be easily seen.

There are many online printing shops where you can order takeout menus, dine- in menus, table tents, and countertop signs. For a print to go menu, make sure to distribute personally in high-traffic areas. You can also include them in every delivery or takeout order, or send them out as mailers to spread the word about your brand.

Print To Go Menus for Food Truck Owners and Food Sellers

Brochure printing is to offices what menu printing is to restaurants. Whether you are the owner of a fine dining restaurant, a fast food chain, a small food truck, or even a snacks stand, the menu is the heart and soul of your business. It’s the first thing that hungry diners look at when they walk into a restaurant. If you have a food truck, customers will check out your menu first so that they would know what to order. 

Now, for mid- to small-sized food sellers or food truck owners, it is important to also have a to go or takeout menu. Print to go menus serve more of a marketing purpose so it’s a good thing to invest in. Here, we will take a look at the basics of having to go menus printed out so that they can be used to promote your food business.

Printing To Go Menus 

To get started on promoting your brand, here are a few steps to follow in printing to go menus:

  • Design your to go menu first. 

If your food stall or truck is solely for takeout, you can include all your food items on the menu. Make sure that the dishes are high profit and quick to prepare. After all, your goal in printing the takeout menus is to promote your business – so you might as well highlight the most profitable dishes and turn them into bestsellers.

On the other hand, if you have a separate dine in menu, you can trim the number of items in your takeout menu. Again, choose the high-profit yet easy to prepare to dishes. Also make sure to include your contact information accurately. The menu should be designed based on the logo of your brand to create an instantly recognizable look. The pictures should be professionally shot, and include a brief description of each dish if you want. 

  • Decide on the size, material and folding options. 

Takeout menus are available in these sizes: 11” x 17”, 8.5” x 11”, or 8.5” x 14”. For the folding options, choose from double gate, double parallel, half fold, half fold then half again, half fold then trifold, roll fold, tri-fold, and Z-fold.

  • Work with an online printing services provider to print out the menus for you.

Finally, look for an online print shop that can print the takeout menus for you. Printing options include digital or offset – some print shops offer both. Make sure that the quality of print is excellent and check on the package price to ensure that you are getting the best bang for your buck.

Do You Own a Pizzeria? Here’s Why You Should Invest in Print To Go Menus

The competition is tough in the food business. Aside from the wide variety of food items available, you also have direct competitors to contend with. If you own a pizzeria, for example, you would have to compete with traditional pizza parlors, the authentic Italian pizza stores, and the big label pizza sellers. To make your own pizzeria stand out, you might want to invest in print to go menus. As the name implies, these are menus which are specifically for ‘to go’ food items. Since pizza is your food establishment’s specialty, you need to create a menu that will give customers a chance to sample what you have to offer. 

The good news is that there are many online printing shops from where you can order these takeout menus. Here are a few quick tips on finding the right one: 

  • Check on customer reviews before deciding which print shop to go with. 
  • Compare their printing packages. Some offer cheap yet high quality prints, something that you want to take advantage of. 
  • Carefully check on the samples of their takeout menus. How’s the quality of print? Even if it’s from their website, you would have an idea about the quality of prints that they can deliver. 
  • Ask about the type of material that they will use to print the takeout menus. Menus range from 4.25” x 11” to as big as 11” x 25.5”. There are different folding options available, so you can have anywhere from four to twelve panels – perfect if you have lots of pizza flavors or ingredients that customers can choose from.

After ordering your print to go menu, how can they be effectively distributed? Since you own a pizzeria, you should hand out the menus to people who are out in the streets. If you can, include a promo code so that they will be even more encouraged to order. Choose places where there is high foot traffic so you can give the menus to as many people as possible. You can also use the menu as inserts in every delivery package, takeout order, supplier receipts, customer receipts, invoices, and similar day-to-day transactions. Another option is to include them in mailers so that everyone within the vicinity of your pizzeria can get one in their mailbox. 

As you can see, print to go menus are a practical yet effective way of marketing your business, so get started on designing that takeout menu right now. 

Make It Easy for Customers to Fulfil Their Cravings with Print To Go Menus

At the end of a long week at work, people usually treat themselves to a dine-in restaurant so they don’t have to cook. For daily dinners when people simply don’t have the energy to prepare home-cooked meals, takeout is the way to go. This is why it’s a must for those in the food business to print to go menus. As the name implies, these are menus which are specifically for takeout food. As such, customers expect something filling, quick and easy to prepare, while fulfilling their cravings at the same time.

Print To Go Menus: The Basics

Here are a few things to remember if you would like to print to go menus for your food business:

  • The design of your logo, your dine-in menu, and your takeout menu should all have a cohesive look.

What does your restaurant logo look like? What are the colors used? If you have a dine-in menu, the takeout menu can be a shortened version of it, but the two should look pretty much the same. Having a cohesive look is important for branding. If you have a distinctive yellow-and-blue logo, for example, these hues should also be present in all your menus so that it will be instantly recognizable.

For all the printed promotional materials that you need, you can get in touch with either a digital or an offset print shop. These companies specialize in creating print ad products like brochures, business cards, postcards, and menus. Digital printers can handle a small volume of orders but for bulk orders, offset using big printing presses is more reliable. Do your research about the packages offered by different print shops and make an informed decision from there.

  • Pay attention to the material used and the design of the menu.

Since takeout menus are tangible unlike digital menus, they need to be printed using high-quality material. There are different sizes, folding options, and paper finish available. After finishing the design of the menu, decide on these options and make sure that it all creates a look that’s fitting for your brand.

  • Distribute the to go menus effectively.

You can include to go menus in every takeout order, send them out in mailers, display a stack of them in your restaurant, or hand them out in the streets in areas where there is high foot traffic.

All in all, to go menus are the perfect advertising tool for those in the food business.

How to Save Money on Rack Card Printing

When taking on tasks like rack card printing, your goal is to save money while still getting the highest quality of print possible. Fortunately, there are many rack cards printing services provider from where you can order copies of the materials that you need. Rack cards are usually displayed in high-traffic areas for people to pick up. These are handy, effective advertising materials so it’s a must to add them to your print marketing arsenal.

Money Saving Tips when Ordering Rack Cards

So how can you save money if you want to order high-quality rack cards? Here are some tips:

There are two types of printing options available: digital and offset. Some print shops have just either a digital or an offset machine, while others have both. Digital typically use desktop printers and they are suitable for small batches. But if you need more professional-looking results and hundreds of copies, an offset printing process is the better choice. This uses state-of-the-art printing presses with Heidelberg color technology. The result is a vivid, sharply printed rack card that will truly impress your clients. 

When looking for an online print shop, check on the feedback, the cost of the printing package, the turnaround time, the quality of material used, and any other hidden charges that they might have. 

  • Order more copies to save on the per unit cost.

For offset printing, it is the initial setup that is quite costly. But once your design is finalized, you can order more copies to actually save on the per unit cost. For example, 500 rack cards is more expensive per unit than ordering 1,000 or 1,500 copies. 

  • Take advantage of freebies like extra features or free HD printing.

To make your rack cards stand out, you may want to go for unique features like a detachable business card at the end of the card. Also ask about freebies like HD printing, 24-hour printing, or free color correction if you will upload your own design. 

  • Do not place rush orders. 

Naturally, you would have to pay extra for rush orders – so avoid this cost by planning your rack cards design and distribution early. 

Follow these tips and you will save money on ordering rack cards, without compromising the quality of print. 

Proper Placement for Rack Card Printing

Business cards are personally handed out, postcards are included in mailers, while notepads and envelopes are distributed as gifts. These are examples of printed marketing materials and how they are distributed. But what about rack cards? Rack card printing is a popular option for those who are in the entertainment and tourism industry. You would usually see stacks of rack cards displayed at hotel lobbies, movie houses, or theatres. Fortunately, even if you are in an industry other than these two, you can still use rack cards printing to promote your products or services. You just need to know about proper placement.

Proper Placement for Rack Cards

If you want to print a stack of rack cards, look for an online printing services provider with a cost-efficient yet high-quality printing package. Rack cards usually measure 4” x 9” or 3.5” x 8.5” – so the space that you have is limited. Use similar colors as your logo for branding, keep the message short but impactful, and include a call-to-action. 

When it comes to distribution, here are some key points: 

  • Choose a strategic location. 

The rack cards should be displayed in areas where there is high foot traffic. Examples are local landmarks, hotel lobbies, rest stops, retail stores, tourist centres, convention centres, and restaurants. When displaying your rack cards, make sure that the local business is not your direct competitor and ask them if you can display your rack cards in their office, store, or reception area. 

  • The rack stand should be easily seen. 

If possible, place your rack cards on top of the stack of cards in a brochure stand so that it can easily be seen and picked up. 

  • They can be displayed horizontally.

If there is no brochure or rack stand, you can also place a stack of your rack cards horizontally – at a table in a reception area or by the cashier at a gas station. 

  • Rack cards can also be handed out personally or mailed out. 

Aside from displaying them, rack cards can also be personally handed out on the streets in areas where there is high foot traffic.  You can even include them in postcards mailers or use them as inserts in delivery receipts.

Rack Card Printing: Offers to Back Up Your Call-to-Action

When you have a print marketing campaign and rack card printing is part of it, the first thing that you need to do is come up with a design. Before that, what are the quick benefits of rack cards printing? These cards usually measure 4” x 9” so they are very handy. People who are passing by a hotel lobby, for example, can pick up a rack card from the display case – which is the purpose of printing one in the first place. Once someone picks it up and reads it, the card becomes an instant advertising tool. 

Another benefit of rack cards is that they are easy and cheap to produce. If you’re a business owner, you simply need to get in touch with an online printing services provider and ask about their rack cards printing package. Offset or digital are your print process options; you should also choose the type, thickness, and finish of the paper; and come up with your own design. For this, it is best to use colors which are already in your business logo. The images should pop, the copy should be short since you have limited space, and there should be a call-to-action. 

Offers to Back Up Your Call-to-Action

While designing your card, you must come up with a call-to-action since rack cards are marketing materials. Do you want people to call your number for more information about your business? Do you want them to see your next play? If yes, how would they buy tickets or get more information about it? Would you like people to visit the soft opening of a restaurant? When and where is it, and what type of food should they expect? 

By providing short answers to these questions, you are making the reader more interested in what you have to offer as a business. To amp things up, you can back up your call-to-action with offers like these: 

  • Buy one product, get one for free
  • Book services at 10% off
  • Kids aged 12 below eat for free during weekends
  • 2-for-1 admission to plays, concerts, shows
  • Freebie with every purchase
  • Mystery gift for every purchase of $20 and up

Make sure that the offer is something that is too good to pass up. You can also put a timeline on the offer, to ensure that the customer takes immediate action. 

Rack Card Printing: Choosing the Right Material

When it comes to print advertising, choosing the right material is important. Unlike digital ads which can only be viewed from a screen, printed materials like brochures, business cards, notepads, envelopes, and rack cards are tangible. They can be seen, held, and felt by the recipient. If you will use thin cardboard material for a business card, for example, imagine the disappointment that a potential business partner would feel. Your goal should be to impress the client right away, so use premium materials for  rack card printing.

Tips for Choosing the Right Material

There are many offset or digital online printing service providers from where you can order rack cards. These are designed to be prominently displayed in rack cards or brochure cases so they should be attention-grabbing enough. The first thing that they will notice from afar is the design, so make sure to use colors that pop. However, you should still incorporate the hues which are present in your business logo to make a solid marketing statement. For the content, rack cards have lesser space than brochures but more space than postcards or business cards – making them perfect for advertising one-time events, for example. Don’t forget to include your contact information and a call-to-action when writing the copy for the rack card. 

The next thing that a person will notice once they pick up the rack card is the feel of the material. Check out these tips for choosing the right paper:

  • The card should have 50% the thickness of a credit card. The typical paper stock used is 16-pt. or 17-pt. A rack card should be able to stand on its own, yet still be handy enough to fit in a jeans back pocket – so the thickness of the paper is important.
  • There are two sizes available: 3.5” x 8.5” or 4” x 9”. You can choose either one since there’s only a slight difference. 
  • For the finish of the card, you can go with a matte or a glossy finish. Depending on the design and the colors use, a matte finish will make your rack cards look elegant and sophisticated. For an even more luxurious, fancy look, go with a glossy finish. This is perfect if you have HD photographs included in your rack cards layout. Restaurant rack cards can be made with a glossy finish for that full, mouth-watering impact. 

If you still have more questions about your options for the material of the rack cards, you can always ask your chosen online printing service provider.

Rack Card Printing: Elements of a Good Design

If you want to have an affordable marketing campaign, printing business cards might be the solution. But what if you want to print more information than can be contained in a US standard sized 2” x 3.5” card? You may want to go with brochures. These have panels that range from two to twelve, depending on the folding option and the size. However, this can be too much especially if you just want to tell customers about an upcoming event or if you simply want them to visit your website or your store. A good balance between a business card and a brochure is a rack card. These come in two sizes: 3.5” x 8.5” or 4” x 9”. Rack cards are displayed in areas where there is high foot traffic, for people to pick up and read. 

Elements of a Good Rack Card Design

For rack card printing, you need to work with a good print shop to create the stacks of cards for you. Make sure that they use good quality material and a reliable printing process. But before you can even place your order, you need to make sure that your rack card is well-designed for you to receive good response from your target market. Here are the elements of a good rack card design:

  • Branded look

Most online printing companies would advise you to use the same colors as your business logo when designing rack cards. This creates a cohesive, instantly recognizable look for your brand. 

  • High-quality material

Your goal is to impress so rack cards should never be printed in cheap cardboard paper. Premium 16-pt. stock paper is recommended. For the finish, choose between ultra-smooth matte or ultra-smooth gloss. 

  • State-of-the-art printing process

Digital and offset are the available printing options. Some print shops offer both, while others just have either a digital or an offset printer. Digital printers can handle small print jobs and the quality is passable. But if you are placing a big order and you want fast results with excellent quality, go for offset printers that use state-of-the-art printing process. This ensures that the colors on your rack cards are vivid and the images are sharp. 

  • Unique features

Finally, go for unique features such as a detachable business card. You want your rack card to stand out in a brochure display – so by having a good foundational design, you can achieve exactly that. 

A Quick Guide to Letterhead Printing

No print advertising campaign will be complete without letterhead printing. Like your business cards, notepads, envelopes, brochures, flyers, rack cards, or takeout menus, letterheads are a great way to represent your brand. Even though digital ad campaigns seem to have taken over, a huge percentage of the market still prefer to receive and hold something tangible, instead of clickable or watchable ads on screen. This is why letterhead printing is a must if you want to succeed in spreading the word about your brand using printed marketing materials.

Steps to Follow for Letterhead Printing

Now, if you want to print letterheads for your business, here are a few steps to follow:

  • Design your letterhead.

There are downloadable templates that you can use when designing a letterhead. It is important to pay close attention to detail such as the font and colors used.

  • Incorporate your business logo.

If you have a yellow and black business logo, you might want to have a variation of it in your letterhead design. The letterhead design and the logo may not look exactly the same, but incorporating the same color palette helps. Do the same thing with the font used.

  • Decide which information to include.

For letterhead printing, you would have lesser space to put information in. Brochures and flyers can have as many as four to six panels. With a letterhead, you only have that space at the top, bottom, or one side of the paper to put information in. As such, you need to decide which information to include.

  • Test and print!

Finally, look for an online printing company that can take care of the printing for you. Some will show you proof of a test print before printing the entire order. You can also do a test print yourself using a desktop printer. You can check on the previous work of the print shop, the quality of customer service that they offer, and the printing packages that they have. Additional options include an extra blank sheet or having the paper folded when ordering letterhead package.

No matter which printing package you end up using, what’s important is for you to include letterheads in your print advertising campaign.