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Ever since we created our menu software in 1994 we have been asked
to recommend menu covers that compliment the menus printed from our
program. Although we don’t recommended a specific supplier, we can
offer some insight on how to choose the perfect menu cover for your
establishment.
Café Menu Covers
 Cafe
menu covers are a good choice for
MenuPro menus. The
most popular modern style of menu cover, cafe style covers (also know
as clear sewn edge covers or jackets) are also the most economical and
easiest to clean. They feature clear plastic or vinyl pages that allow
full display of your menu inserts and also offer protection from spills at the
table.
Single pocket styles which allow you to display 2 pages of your
menu (front and back) can sell for under $2 per cover, and
book-style cafe covers that include up to 4 panels for an 8 page menu
display can be sell for as little as $6 per cover.
While the
lifespan of a cafe cover is usually less than a classic leather menu
cover, the lower cost allows you to replace the covers more
frequently. Sizes as large as 11 x 17 are also available and there is
usually a wider variety of color choices available to go with your
menu pages and the interior design of your restaurant. Cafe covers do require
a little more effort than classic covers when swapping out menu pages,
so it’s a good idea to use heavier paper with this style of cover to
make changing and inserting menu pages easier.
Classic Style Menu Covers
Since
MenuPro lets you update your menus frequently, classic style
menu covers, with interior pockets or album-style corners that allow
menu pages to be easily inserted, are an excellent choice. This is
especially true for establishments that routinely offer new dishes and
seasonal specials as they make changing your menu as simple as removing
a page and replacing it with a new one.
Classic style covers
are readily available in leather and imitation leather and can hold
one or multiple pages. Leather is a natural choice that wears
well and goes with any upscale décor, but is expensive. Leatherette
(simulated leather) looks very close to leather and is usually about
half the cost. Most suppliers will also imprint or emboss your logo on
the front of the cover to help brand your restaurant.
Sizes of Menu Covers
Your cover size ultimately depends on your menu size, and since
MenuPro lets you design and print menus of any size, you can select menu covers that hold any size paper. However,
selecting a cover that holds a standard size paper, such as 8 ½ by 11,
8 ½ by 14, or even 5 ½ by 8 ½ (half letter) will give you more
flexibility in paper selection as there are more standard size
papers available. Additionally, the best selling and most
popular menu covers are generally the ones that hold standard size
menus, so suppliers can usually offer the best pricing on these covers.
Durability
A cover needs to be durable enough to protect the pages of your
menu. Ask prospective menu cover suppliers for free samples of the
covers that you are interested in to make sure they will meet the needs
of your restaurant or establishment.
Color
While it may seem obvious, menu cover color is often overlooked.
Try to find a color that suits the overall design and branding of your
restaurant. If in doubt, black classic style covers will go with
most anything. If you are using cafe covers, experiment with
colored paper as an inexpensive design alternative.
Final Word
There’s no need to spend a fortune on menu covers, but keep in mind
that your restaurant menu is an investment in profitability and your
menu covers are usually the first thing customers touch when they
sit down to dine at your establishment. They create an immediate
impression of the style, professionalism, food quality, and the
service that will follow, so it makes sense to choose them not just on
cost but on quality.
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