---
title: "Table Tent Design Tips: What Reads From a Seat"
description: "Practical table tent design tips: one message per face, type sizes that read from a seat, photos, QR codes, prices, contrast and bilingual layouts."
url: https://tent-cards.ca/guides/tent-card-design-tips/
last_updated: 2026-10-24
---

# 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.

## 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](https://tent-cards.ca/guides/artwork-file-setup/).

## Related

- [Tent card artwork and file setup](https://tent-cards.ca/guides/artwork-file-setup/)
- [QR code table tents](https://tent-cards.ca/uses/qr-code-table-tents/)
- [Table tent cards for restaurants and cafés](https://tent-cards.ca/uses/restaurants/)

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