How Many Menus Should You Print for Your New Restaurant?
You’re finally opening your dream restaurant. The chef is outstanding. The team is locked in. You’ve sourced local ingredients, crafted a killer menu, and had it designed to perfection. Now comes the final detail—printing your menus.
One of the most common questions we get at TerraSlate is: How many menus should I print? There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but there are smart ways to calculate what you’ll need. Here’s how to think about it.
Match Your Seating (And Then Some)
Start with your seating capacity. As a baseline, we recommend printing one and a half times your total number of seats.
This gives you a comfortable buffer for unexpected surges—think large parties, standing-room patio nights, or rooftop events. It also means your staff won’t have to scramble when things get busy, and your guests will always have a menu in hand.
Order Extras for Marketing and Media
Menus are more than tools for ordering—they’re also powerful marketing assets. If you’re working with media outlets, food bloggers, or local partners, having high-quality printed menus to send out makes a strong impression.
Consider ordering a few dozen extra menus for press kits, influencer drop-offs, or community partnerships. A beautiful physical menu speaks volumes about your brand before the food even hits the plate.
Plan for Replacements
Menus walk off tables. They get lost, damaged, spilled on, folded into bags, or accidentally taken home by enthusiastic guests. That’s just part of the game.
No matter how careful your staff is, you’ll need replacements from time to time. Anticipate the occasional wipeout—whether from a birthday party chaos storm or an unfortunate tray spill—and have a backup stack ready to go.
Think Economically
Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to print slightly more than you need. Bulk printing often brings down your per-unit cost and saves on shipping.
That said, balance this with common sense. If your menu is likely to change seasonally or you're testing dishes, don’t overprint. You don’t want to end up with boxes of outdated menus collecting dust—or worse, getting tossed.
Why Waterproof Menus Are a Smarter Move
Here’s where TerraSlate makes your life easier. Our waterproof menus are built to last through real-world restaurant conditions—spills, tears, sticky hands, wet bars, outdoor service, and whatever else the night brings.
Because they’re so durable, you won’t need to reorder as often. That saves money over time and reduces waste. In fact, our waterproof menus last years, not weeks. That means fewer trees are cut down to print disposable menus that barely survive a busy weekend.
Waterproof menus are also a great way to elevate your guest experience. They look and feel premium, and they show your attention to detail.
Ready to Print?
We hope these tips help you feel more confident about placing your first menu order. If you’re ready to get started, you can request a free sample or order a proof today.
Need help deciding on quantity, finish, or layout? We’re happy to help—just reach out.
Let’s get your restaurant started with menus that last.
Let’s print with TerraSlate.
