A deep dive into what it takes to create customised menu covers for your venue
Create bespoke menu covers that capture attention, reflect your brand, and stand the test of time.
Menu covers are one of the first things a customer touches at the table—so making your own gives you full creative control to showcase your brand’s identity while ensuring practical durability. Whether you’re designing them in-house or working closely with a menu covers supplier, this guide walks you through how to make menu covers that look the part and perform beautifully.
1. Understanding What a Menu Cover Is
A menu cover isn’t just a protective sleeve. It’s a brand ambassador. From the material to the finish, everything about a menu cover speaks to the kind of experience your guest is about to have. Will it be refined and elegant? Rustic and relaxed? Bold and modern? Start by defining the tone and personality of your venue.
2. Choose The Right Menu Cover Material
The material you choose will influence the look, feel, and functionality of your menu cover. Popular choices include:
- Leather menu covers
A real leather menu is perfect for a high-class and luxurious venue. Our range spans 100% genuine leather, saddle‑hide, bonded, recycled, faux, and embossed styles—crafted to impress while withstanding everyday use. Highlights include: Saddle Hide Leather clipboards: solid, thick leather with chrome or gilt clips—deeply embossable. Real Leather Boards: top‑grade grains, pleated corners, full personalisation. Hydra Leather (recycled or cost‑effective): welded finish and available in one or two‑sided formats. Labyrinth and Elephant Grain: patterned, tactile faux‑leather in a variety of bold hues. These covers are highly customisable – offering hot-foil blocking, embossed logos—and offer durable wipe-clean finishes, chosen by brands like The Savoy or The Ritz. - Wooden effect menu covers
A stylish, eco-conscious option with a natural finish.
Crafted from quality hardwoods, wooden menu covers speak to eco-conscious and rustic design sensibilities. Typically designed as clipboards or panel boards, they present menus on natural wood grain. They pair well with printed or engraved branding and are perfect for bistros, cafés, or outdoor venues seeking durable yet stylish displays. Often available with corner clips or screw‑through fixings and optional protective laminates. - Metal menu covers
Great for high-end or urban interiors, offering a contemporary aesthetic.
Perfect for industrial, urban or fine‑dining environments: Common formats include brushed or polished aluminium boards with screw corner fixings. Offer a sleek, minimalist presentation and long-lasting build. Pair well with laser‑etched or engraved logos and recessed page frames. - Fabric menu covers
Textured fabric covers such as Buckram menu covers give a premium feel while offering excellent durability.
Suited to refined dining, our fabric menu covers – like the Screw‑Fix Menu Board – combine sleek design with practicality. Screw‑Fix Boards feature a contemporary screw‑mount system, corner or magnet fixings, with hot foil, embossing or digital print options. Available in rich fabric textures and multiple colours, they accommodate standard A4/A5 sizes or custom dimensions, ideal for cocktail bars, wine lists, tapas – offering a modern, tactile alternative. - Printed menu covers – Ideal for stylish, crisp visual branding and for long lasting menus.
Fully customisable covers where the material (PVC, fabric, plastic, etc.) becomes the canvas: Full‑colour digital or UV printing allows company branding, imagery or pattern to dominate the design. Suitable for themed venues, promotional menus or seasonal offerings. Laminated overlays keep the surface cleanable and durable.
Make sure the material matches your brand concept while standing up to daily wear and tear.
3. Decide On Your Menu Cover Fixings & Inserts
Once your outer cover is sorted, think about how the menu pages will be held:
- Corner Mounts – Discreet and easy to update.
- Internal Pockets – Protects pages from spills and fingerprints.
- Screw Fixings or Binding Bars – Perfect for multi-page menus and more premium formats.
- Elastic Bands or Cord Fixings – A stylish and flexible way to secure your pages.
Select a fixing method that suits how often you’ll update your menu and the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for.
4. Customise With Your Branding
Add instant visual impact by incorporating your logo or venue name on the cover. Customisation options include:
- Foil Blocking – A classic way to add metallic logos or text.
- Debossing – Presses your design into the cover material for a subtle, tactile finish.
- Digital Printing – Ideal for full-colour logos or patterns.
- UV Printing – A modern, crisp technique for detailed designs.
Keep branding consistent with your menus, signage, uniforms, and interiors for a cohesive customer experience.
5. Choose The Right Size & Orientation
Most venues opt for either A4 or A5, depending on how much information they need to present. Portrait orientation is traditional, while landscape can feel more contemporary or casual. We can also produce custom sizes menus to your exact specification.
Also consider practical elements:
- Will the menu lie flat on the table?
- Is it easy to hold and flick through?
- Does it work well in dim lighting?
6. Protect & Maintain Your Menu Covers
Your handmade menu covers will need regular care to stay looking their best. Depending on the material, a quick wipe with a damp cloth may be enough. For PU or real leather, occasional conditioning will extend their lifespan. Consider laminated or wipeable internal pages to reduce the need for constant reprints.
7. When To Partner With A Professional Menu Cover Supplier
If you’re aiming for a polished finish, especially across multiple locations or high-volume use, it’s often best to partner with a manufacturer who specialises in custom menu covers. They’ll guide you through free material samples, prototypes, and branding options – making the process hassle-free while delivering an end product that’s both stylish and durable.
Smart Hospitality Supplies are the UK’s leading restaurant menu cover supplier, specialising in providing high quality restaurant, cafe & bar personalised menu covers. We are confident that we offer the most comprehensive range & competitively priced menu cover prices available, that we offer to beat any like for like quote from any menu covers supplier. This includes Nisbets, Alliance Online, Teloman, Menu Shop & Amazon.
Checkout our artwork, fixings, materials & sizes video guides & articles to help you decide on which personalised menu covers you need. or read our Menu Covers blog posts. For instant free expert help, WhatsApp chat with us or call us on 01743 465 301. Alternatively, you can email our friendly menu covers expert team with any questions.
