Laminated vs non-laminated restaurant menus

Menus get handled, splashed and wiped every day. The right finish depends on how your restaurant works.

Laminated menus

Lamination seals the printed card in a thin film. Laminated menus wipe clean, resist spills and last for months, which suits busy cafés, family restaurants and takeaways where menus are handled constantly. Matt lamination reduces glare under lights; gloss makes food photos pop.

Unlaminated menus

Uncoated or silk menus feel more crafted and are cheap to reprint, so they suit restaurants that change dishes often or want a natural, paper feel. Many restaurants print short runs and reprint when prices change.

Takeaway menus

Takeaway menus are usually unlaminated folded leaflets: A4 tri-folded to DL fits letterboxes and leaflet racks. Choose 130 to 170gsm for door drops.

Popular sizes

A4 and A3 folded menus for tables, A5 for cafés and specials, DL for slim menus and drinks lists.