Selçuk Aker · Graphics & Printing

Menu Design: Common Content Plan for Printed Menu and QR Menu

Edit product, price and category information in the restaurant and cafe menu; Separate print file and digital menu coverage.

By Selçuk Aker · Published · 4 min read · Updated

Menu Design: Common Content Plan for Printed Menu and QR Menu — Selçuk Aker

Menu design should help the customer understand the options. Adding lots of photos, decorative fonts, and different accent colors doesn't always make the decision easier. First decide how the products will be grouped, how the names will be written, and where the pricing information will be located.

Prepare a single product list before design

Keep the product name, description, category and price in separate areas. Obtain the warnings to be added to the menu as approved by the authorized manager of the business. Having different prices in more than one file increases the risk of errors during the design phase. The date of the initial list and the person approving it must be clear; Last minute changes should be tracked in the same list.

Category order in cafe and restaurant menus

Sorting is not just a decision to fit on the page. Consider the path the customer takes when placing an order. The relationship between main courses and beverages, additional options and product descriptions should be visible. The featured product should not prevent other lines from being read. If photography is to be used, choose a consistent approach rather than different lighting and framing for each product.

QR code is not a menu system

The QR code takes the user to an address. This address can be a PDF, mobile web page, or manageable menu app. The way they are updated and used is different. Opening a large PDF of the printed menu onto the phone may force the customer to constantly zoom in. Readable font size and easy category switching should also be designed in the digital menu.

Manage print and digital edition from the same source

Product names and prices may adhere to a common ingredient list; The placements do not have to be the same. Page and print size are decisive in the printed file, while the display and navigation behavior are decisive in the digital version. When the price is updated, it should be determined from the beginning which files will be prepared again and who will update the web page. Take into account that if the address to which the QR code goes changes, the printed material may be affected.

How should you write the scope when getting a quote?

Share product quantity, number of languages, printed size, digital need and photos availability. Design, printing, photography and digital menu software are separate items. Saying “I want a QR menu” does not mean that all of these are included. Please check the reading, link and product listing on the actual phone and sample print before delivery.

You can examine the scope of brochure design for print applications and corporate identity design for the common visual language of the business. If a manageable digital experience is required, let's also consider mobile web design.

Frequently asked questions

Is creating a QR code the same as preparing a digital menu?

No. The QR code directs the visitor to an address; The content, mobile appearance and updating of the menu is a separate task. It should also be determined who will make the price changes.

How to ensure price consistency between the printed menu and the QR menu?

Manage products and prices from a single approved list. Keep track of which print and digital versions will be updated when changes are made; Do not mix old files with the active version.

Product and price layout for menu designer

When searching for a menu designer, share product categories, exact names, descriptions, and current prices in a single content list. It is not necessary that the printed menu and the menu to be read on the phone be the same file. The need to navigate and update on a narrow screen may require different design decisions.

In menu and business card design service You can prepare a layout suitable for your brand with Selçuk Aker. Visual menu design does not automatically mean that QR infrastructure or ordering software is included. Specify at the beginning who will make content changes and in which file.

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