Marvellous Menu Paper
0
Posted on 14th January 2025 by Papermill Direct
Filed under
Your menu is one of the first impressions a customer has of your restaurant, it’s as important as a warm host, a clean tablecloth, or a welcoming exterior. A customer can tell a lot about a restaurant from the care they take in presenting their menu. A good menu will elevate a respectable restaurant or café, giving your establishment a sense of professionalism and style. That’s why we’ve taken the time to put together all the knowledge you’ll need to pick the perfect paper for your menu.
What you’ll need to consider when picking your menu paper.
GSM
GSM relates to the weight/thickness of the paper. A higher GSM means a thicker paper or even cardstock, whereas a lower GSM will mean a thinner paper. Typically, most people will be familiar with 80gsm paper used for home printing or Newspapers that use 35-55gsm paper.
Will your menu need to withstand multiple uses; is the paper being used inside a menu booklet or will it be placed on the table?
How long do you plan on using this menu for; is it seasonal or standard?
We would recommend a menu paper to be a minimum of 120gsm if it were to be placed on the table, as customers will directly interact with the paper and will notice if it feels flimsy.
Why does it matter if the menu feels flimsy?
This comes down to the science of touch and human psychology. Do you ever wonder why companies create elaborate packaging when it all gets thrown away? It's to entice customers and encourage them to hold the product in their hands. Once the potential customer holds the product they start making associations with it based on how it feels in their hand. If the packaging feels sturdy or looks beautiful then the customer will associate those feelings with the product. The longer the customer holds the item in their hands the more likely they are to purchase the item.
The same can be applied to menus! How a menu feels in your customer's hands will affect their perceptions of your establishment and experience as a whole. If your menu feels luxurious and made from high-quality paper, then customers will associate the whole experience with those feelings.
Texture
The texture of your menu paper ties into the science of touch too. Textures such as hammered and linen have long been associated with lavish experiences, typically used for wedding stationery or greeting cards. The textured surface of the paper suggests attention to finer details and care for all aspects of the customer’s experience.
Alternatively, a smooth paper can affect how some customers perceive interactions with others. Smooth or soft objects are typically associated with pleasant experiences, many people associate smooth textures with feeling comfortable and reassured.
Whereas rough papers can be associated with more rustic experiences and have a homely or handcrafted feel to them.
Colour
The colour of your menu can be reflective of your establishment's overall aesthetic. If you plan to present your menu in a booklet then you will want a menu paper colour that compliments both the booklet and your overall colour scheme. If you’re creating seasonal menus then you have a lot more room to play around with your colours.
A White paper for a menu is a great option if your menu includes a lot of colour printing. But not all whites are the same! An Off-White paper can add warmth but may alter the colours of your print slightly whereas a Bright White will print the colours perfectly but may appear a little clinical if there is too much blank space on your menu.
Classic colours such as Ivory, and Cream are an excellent choice to add a touch of colour and warmth. They are also versatile colours that can blend well with most colour schemes, perfect if you’re planning on using menu booklets.
For special seasonal occasions, like Christmas, a pearl finish on the paper can add a touch of sparkle without appearing gaudy. A paper with a pearl finish will reflect the light and catch a customer’s eye when admiring your menu.
We’ve reviewed 5 of our favourite papers below on why we think these would be the best for menu papers.
White Linen Paper 120gsm
Our White Linen Paper and Card is a best seller here at Papermilldirect and a staple for many of our customers. Linen has associations with both luxury and comfort. The finer details of the linen texture on the paper give the impression of opulence and no expense spared.
Made in the Lake District World Heritage Site, sustainability is a key factor in making this paper. The paper is sourced from sustainable forests, and the papermill where the paper is made also commits to water management and waste reduction.
Our White Linen is available in both paper, 120gsm, and Card 250gsm, as well as C6 and C5 envelopes.
Shop White Linen Paper 120gsm
Available in Pick&Mix Boxes too!
Ivory Hammered Paper 120gsm
Like with Linen Paper, the texture of our Ivory Hammered paper creates a tactile experience for anyone holding it. The slight indentations in the card add interest and draw the eye to the page encouraging potential customers to hold your menu in their hands and be tempted by the items you offer.
Made in the Lake District World Heritage Site, sustainability is a key factor in making this paper. The paper is sourced from sustainable forests, and the papermill where the paper is made also commits to water management and waste reduction.
Shop Ivory Hammered Paper 120gsm
Available in Pick&Mix Boxes too!
Natural White Paper Pearlised 120gsm
Natural White Paper Pearlised has warm undertones that give the card a soft, muted white, which can give it a more traditional or aged feel. When creating seasonal menus for occasions such as Christmas or Anniversary events the pearl finish can add an elegant touch, the paper shimmers and catches the light like glitter but feels smooth in your hands and will not shed like traditional glitter paper/card.
Printing onto a pearlescent card or paper may require a Laser printer. This is due to the mica used when creating the pearlescent finish to the paper which can act as a barrier between the ink and the paper.
Our Natural White Pearlised is available in both paper, 120gsm, and Card 250gsm, as well as C6 and C7 envelopes.
Shop Natural White Pearlised Paper 120gsm
Available in Pick&Mix Boxes too!
Nude Sirio Colour Paper 115gsm
Our Nude Sirio Colour Paper is a beautiful dusky pink. The colour is classic and charming and would suit a seasonal menu for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or another event you might have in mind.
Made in Italy with 100% pure ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) cellulose. The product is completely biodegradable and recyclable.
This product is also available as a 290GSM Card, a selection of envelope sizes, and card blanks.
Shop Nude Sirio Colour Paper 115gsm
Available in Pick&Mix Boxes too!
Biscuit Paper 120gsm
This gorgeous rustic brown paper has a beautiful smooth finish, the perfect combination for creating a familiar but fancy feel for your menu.
This card is made in the Lake District World Heritage Site. Sustainability is a key factor in the making of this card. Not only is the card sourced from sustainable forests but the papermill where the card is made also commits to water management and waste reduction.
This product is also available as a 240GSM Card, a selection of envelope sizes, and card blanks.
Shop Biscuit Paper 120gsm
Available in Pick&Mix Boxes too!
Nobody has commented yet
Be the first to comment on this article by using the form below.