Choosing the Right Paper Stock for Your Menus
In hospitality, the menu is your silent ambassador. More than a list of dishes, it’s a handshake, a signal of standards, and for many guests, their first tangible introduction to your brand. Yet, when it comes to print, not all paper is created equal. The wrong choice can turn a steakhouse menu into a soggy afterthought or see a cocktail list wilt before the first order. At Print Lord, where defending your brand is daily business, we know the difference paper stock makes, and why savvy venues never leave it to chance.
Why Paper Stock Matters: More Than Meets the Eye
It’s tempting to think all menus are much of a muchness: print, fold, done. But let’s set the record straight, one size (or thickness, or finish) does not fit all. The paper you choose shapes everything: the feel in the guest’s hand, resistance to the odd beer spill, the vibrancy of your house colours, even how long your menu stands up to a busy lunchtime rush. Saving pennies here can cost you pounds in reputation later.
The Three Menu Commandments: Durability, Clarity, and Brand Impact
Choosing stock isn’t just “picking paper.” It’s about:
1. Durability
Will your menu be used once and binned, or handled dozens of times each night? Uncoated, lightweight stocks might be fine for a one-off event, but for daily use, they’ll curl, tear, or look tired fast. We recommend a heavier stock, at least 250gsm, ideally up to 350gsm, for standard menus. And for drinks or dessert lists destined to do the rounds, matt or gloss lamination adds a protective shield.
2. Clarity
Crisp, inviting print isn’t just down to your designer. Certain papers soak up ink and dull colours, while others enhance every line and logo. For vibrant, readable menus, choose stocks with a smooth, coated finish. For rustic venues wanting organic charm, uncoated options with visible texture can work, so long as the print holds sharp and doesn’t feather or blur.
3. Brand Impact
Every touchpoint in hospitality is a branding opportunity. The paper’s thickness, texture, or sheen can whisper luxury, shout fun, or promise a classic experience. Print Lord guides you on whether a tactile embossed finish or gold foil detail will set you apart, or if simplicity is your best weapon.
Popular Menu Paper Choices, Decoded by Print Lord
Ready to get practical? Here’s our royalty-approved menu stock cheat sheet:
1. **Uncoated Card**
- – **Best for:** Rustic, hand-written, or constantly-updated menus (think gastropubs, coffee shops, chalkboard vibes)
- **Look & feel:** Natural, tactile, slightly textured
- **Pros:** Easy to write on (for changing prices, specials), subtly upmarket
- **Cons:** Absorbs moisture, can mark easily, laminate if durability is key
2. **Silk or Matt Coated Card**
- – **Best for:** Upscale bistros, modern restaurants, anywhere colour vibrancy and tactile elegance matter
- **Look & feel:** Smooth, sophisticated, less glare than gloss
- **Pros:** Makes colours pop, resists fingerprints, a safe all-rounder
- **Cons:** Not ideal if you need to write on menus after printing
3. **Gloss Coated Card**
- – **Best for:** Cocktail lists, dessert menus, high-energy venues where spill-resistance is a must
- **Look & feel:** High shine, photo-quality images, feels slick
- **Pros:** Wipes clean, ultra-bright finish, very durable
- **Cons:** Can show fingerprints, not right for relaxed or rustic settings
4. **Lamination & Finishes**
- – **Best for:** All menus needing superhuman resilience, especially in pubs, bars, busy cafés, or outdoor spots
- **Look & feel:** Comes in matt (soft, non-glare) or gloss (shiny, wipeable), plus options like soft-touch, anti-bac, or textured overlays
- **Pros:** Adds months to your menu’s life, guards against spillages and wear
- **Cons:** May cost more upfront, but saves reprints (and reputation) later
Print Lord’s Royal Recommendations
When in doubt? Tell us your venue, budget, and menu dreams, and Print Lord will cut through the confusion. We’ll champion options that balance quality, durability, and that all-important brand impression. Want the showstopper? Embossed details and foil finishing are worth their weight, not for every menu, but to wow guests at the right moment.
And always, always ensure your artwork is final before print, menu panic at 4pm on a Friday is no one’s idea of a good time. If you’re wrestling Canva or wrestling last-minute changes, we step in before disaster strikes.
What to Avoid: Penny-Pinching Pitfalls
The quickest way to look cheap: wafer-thin menus that flop across the table, colour mis-matches that make signature cocktails look off-brand, or fountain pen ink bleeding across a special insert. These shortcuts erode trust and put your brand at risk, guests notice, every time. Print Lord takes pride in helping clients sidestep these common burglars of brand value.
Menus that Last, Impressions That Endure
The best menus aren’t just well-written, they’re well-built. The right paper stock means every order is a chance to reinforce your reputation, every scan of the specials a reason to come back.
Anything Print, delivered by professionals, is more than just paper. It’s a promise. Print Lord. At your service. On brand. On time.