Eco single-sheet menus

The EKO single-card menu is the natural alternative to a classic card printed on white coated paper. It is one flat card, with no folding and no film. In this version the paper is an important part of the whole design, because its colour, texture and surface stay clearly visible.

A menu like this suits venues that want to combine a simple, legible offer with a more natural look for their printed materials.

It works in restaurants, cafés, bistros, bakeries, cake shops, wine bars, food trucks, hotels, guesthouses, agritourism farms and seasonal venues. It goes especially well with regional, plant-based, seasonal and slow food cooking, but it can equally be simply part of a calm, natural identity for the place.

What you can use an EKO single-card menu for

One card offers plenty of scope, especially where the offer changes regularly and the menu has to be replaced from time to time.

You can use it as:

• A food menu or lunch menu - the venue's basic offer, set lunches or the lunch of the day in a natural setting.
• A drinks, wine and cocktail list - a separate, clear card. In the slim format it works well for wines, cocktails, coffees or soft drinks.
• A seasonal, tasting, plant-based or regional menu - especially where the card should underline the character of the cooking, local ingredients or the seasons.
• An insert or special card - as an addition to the main menu, an offer of the day, a wedding, communion or banquet card, or one prepared for a particular event.

Besides the list of dishes you can add information about local ingredients, allergens, a short history of the place, dish markings and a QR code leading to the full menu online, a booking system or a review page.

Which format to choose

There are six formats, from small and handy to larger, fuller cards.

• A5 - 148×210 mm - a compact format for a lunch menu, a dessert or drinks card, or a short offer standing on the table.
• A4 - 210×297 mm - the most versatile. It holds a larger number of items and still stays comfortable in daily use.
• A3 - 297×420 mm - a large format with plenty of room for a full offer, a counter card or a catering menu.
• DL - 99×210 mm - slim and elegant. It suits wine, cocktail and coffee lists and short seasonal menus.
• 150×300 mm - larger than DL but still with elongated proportions. It suits wine and cocktail lists and fuller themed menus.
• 300×300 mm - a square, less standard form. It looks good in modern and boutique venues.

With a larger number of items, A4 or A3 is worth choosing. On natural papers legibility matters especially, so it is better to reach for a bigger format than to shrink the text too far.

Which EKO paper to choose

Each of the papers available has its own colour and texture, and each affects the look of the print differently. That is why it is worth matching it not only to the design but also to the character of the venue.

• Kraftliner 300 gsm - kraft, bold and more raw. It suits rustic restaurants, bakeries, food trucks and regional cooking. It looks best with simple designs, strong contrast and dark printing.
• Kazan ecru 250 gsm and 300 gsm with grass fibre - a warm, organic paper with visible grass specks. It works well in eco venues, agritourism farms and wellness properties, and with seasonal cooking. The 300 gsm version is stiffer.
• Flora Avorio 240 gsm - a light paper in a calm ivory shade. It suits delicate, elegant and natural designs.
• Flora Giglio 240 gsm and 350 gsm - light, neutral and versatile. It works well where the menu should look natural but still clean and elegant. The 350 gsm version is noticeably stiffer.
• Flora Tabacco 240 gsm and 350 gsm - a darker, more decisive paper. It suits boutique cafés, bars, specialty venues and designs with a stronger character. On this stock the right contrast matters especially.

Why there is no lamination

EKO menus are not laminated.

In this product the natural surface of the paper is one of the most important parts of the whole look. Film would hide the texture, change the feel and take away part of the paper's character.

Without that extra layer the menu looks more natural and less plastic, which goes well with venues that have a calm, eco or craft identity.

There are two practical things to keep in mind, though.

First, an unlaminated menu is less resistant to heavy use than a laminated one. That is why it works especially well as a seasonal, lunch or tasting card and as inserts replaced from time to time.

Second, the colour of the paper affects the print. On kraft, ecru and darker stocks the colours can be warmer, more muted and less contrasty than on white coated paper.

So clear typography, legible prices, a simple split into categories and strong enough contrast work best.

Printing

We print EKO menus in full CMYK colour - single or double-sided, whichever you pick in the calculator.

That lets you use both sides of the card. You can put the food on one side and the drinks on the other, or separate the standing offer from the seasonal one.

The second side can also carry information about the venue, allergens, ingredients, where the produce comes from, bookings or a QR code.

On EKO papers it is best to avoid very thin lines, weak contrast, small text and QR codes that are too small. A natural stock looks good when the design has a little more space and is not overloaded.

File check and graphic design

When you place the order you choose how the design is prepared. The exact surcharges for each option are shown in the calculator.

• No file check - the file goes straight into production. This option is for agencies, designers and anyone confident it is prepared correctly.
• File check by a designer - we check the format, bleed, resolution, colours and the legibility of the design. On EKO papers we also look at the contrast, because the natural colour of the stock affects the print.
• Simple graphic design - if you have no file ready, send us your logo, the list of dishes, the prices, the descriptions, photographs and your guidelines on style. We will prepare a simple design matched to the format and EKO paper you chose.

The check by a designer is particularly worth choosing if the design was made in Canva, an online generator, an office program or with AI tools. Such files can look good on screen and still need the bleed, CMYK, resolution or safe margins corrected.

The check covers only the technical side of the design.

We do not check prices, the names and descriptions of dishes, allergens, portion weights, the dates an offer runs, typos or whether the QR codes work. The customer is responsible for the content.

How to prepare the file for print

A PDF that follows our specification works best. We also accept good quality JPG and PNG files.

Prepare photographs and artwork at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale, and the design in CMYK.

If the background or artwork runs to the edge, add the right amount of bleed.

Keep dish names, prices, the logo, allergen information and QR codes away from the cutting line.

Remember that the colour of EKO paper affects the print. On Kraftliner, Kazan or the darker Flora versions the colours can be less intense than on white paper.

A simple, clear design with good contrast will work best.

Photographs of dishes will also look different than on white coated stock. The natural shade of the paper can give them a warmer, softer character, so it is worth using sharp photographs with good contrast and the right brightness.

Before sending the design, download the right template and specification for the format you chose.