Table tent design tips

A table tent is read in two seconds from about an arm and a half away. Design for that distance and that time.

Updated

Tent card on a marble café table next to a latte and a croissant

Rules that hold for almost every card

One message per face

One offer, one headline, one call to action. If you need two messages, use the two faces.

Headline you can read from the seat

Headline at least 36 pt, body at least 14 pt, prices at least 18 pt on a 4 × 6.25″ card.

Top third matters most

People see the top of the card first, over glasses and plates. Put the headline there.

One strong photo

A single close-up of the drink or dish sells more than a collage. Use a high-resolution original.

Contrast

Dark text on light, or light on very dark. Restaurant and bar light is dim and warm.

Say what to do

"Ask your server", "Scan to order", "Available after 9 pm". A card without an action is decoration.

Two languages, two faces

For bilingual cards put one language on each face rather than mixing them on one.

Keep it current

Avoid dates and prices that will be wrong next month, or move them behind a QR code.

Before you send the file

Print the file at 100% on a home printer, cut it out and fold it. Put it on a table and step back. If you cannot read the headline from a chair, make it bigger. Check spelling, prices and the QR code on that paper copy too.

Then check the technical details in file setup.

See your price, send your file, approve the proof.

Prices in CAD before you order. Nothing is printed or charged until you approve the proof.

Price and order