The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Menu Paper for Restaurants

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Menu Paper for Restaurants

Your restaurant menu is more than just a list of dishes — it’s one of the first impressions guests have of your space. The paper you choose sets the tone for your brand, affects durability, and can influence how your food is perceived. Whether you’re printing menus in-house or outsourcing to a professional print shop, the right menu paper makes all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about menu paper thickness, textures, colours, and cut sizes so you can find the perfect fit for your restaurant.

Menu Paper Thickness: Printing In-House vs. Print Shop

One of the first decisions you’ll face is how thick your menu paper should be. This depends largely on where you plan to print:

Printing In-House

Most standard office or restaurant printers can’t handle heavy card stock. Stick to:

• 60 lb – 100 lb cover weight (160–270gsm) for sturdier everyday menus.
• 60 lb -- 80 lb text weight (90 - 120gsm)  for lighter menus that are frequently changed.

Lightweight paper keeps your printer running smoothly and makes it easier to replace menus on the fly.

Printing at a Professional Shop

Commercial printers open the door to thicker, more durable options:

• 80 lb – 120 lb cover weight (220–315gsm) for menus that feel substantial and luxurious in hand.
• Coated stocks for a sleek finish, or uncoated for a softer, more natural look.

Heavier paper is ideal for wine lists, cocktail menus, or dinner menus you don’t plan to reprint daily.

Menu Paper Textures: Creating the Right Vibe

The feel of your menu matters as much as the look. Different paper textures help communicate your restaurant’s brand:

• Smooth or Glossy: Clean and modern — perfect for cafés, trendy bistros, and cocktail bars.
• Linen or Laid: Adds subtle elegance with a woven finish, great for fine dining.
• Kraft or Uncoated: Rustic and approachable, ideal for farm-to-table restaurants, bakeries, or breweries.

When guests hold your menu, the texture tells them what kind of experience to expect.

Menu Paper Colours: From Classic to Creative

While white and cream remain the most popular menu paper colours (because they’re easy to read), experimenting with colour can make your menus memorable.

• Neutral tones like ivory, natural white, or soft grey fit upscale spaces and low-lit dining rooms.
• Bold colours like navy, burgundy, or black stand out and work beautifully with metallic or white ink.
• Rustic kraft brown paper brings warmth and casual charm.

Just remember: readability is key. Dark paper requires specialty printing, and light-coloured inks may not reproduce well on standard printers.

Menu Sizes and Cut Options

The size and shape of your menu affects how guests interact with it. Some of the most common cut sizes include:

• Letter (8.5" × 11") – The standard and most cost-effective option.
• Legal (8.5" × 14") – Extra space for large menus or additional sections.
• Half Letter (5.5" × 8.5") – Perfect for drink menus, brunch, or prix fixe offerings.
• Custom Cuts – Square or tall, narrow menus can make a bold design statement.

Choosing the right cut helps balance style, function, and cost. 

How to Choose the Best Menu Paper for Your Restaurant

When deciding on menu paper, ask yourself:

1. How often will I reprint my menus? If daily or weekly, stick with lightweight paper for in-house printing.
2. What’s my restaurant’s vibe? Rustic? Sleek? Elegant? Let your textures and colours reflect that.
3. Do my menus need to last? For longer-term use, heavier stocks or laminated options are worth the investment.

Your menu is an extension of your restaurant’s brand. The right combination of paper weight, texture, colour, and size ensures your menu doesn’t just list food — it enhances the overall dining experience.