Eco placemats

Placemats are laid straight on the table under a single plate. They do several jobs at once: they help tidy up the setting, protect the surface of the table, and at the same time become a place for a logo, the menu of the day, a QR code to the menu online or a short message for the guest.

In the EKO version the paper itself plays an extra part. A natural shade, a texture you can feel and a less sterile look give the placemats a warmer, more craft-like character. It is something quite different from classic white coated stock, and that is exactly why this version suits venues that want to underline the natural, the local, the seasonal or a calmer aesthetic.

EKO papers have a colour and structure of their own, so they can be part of the table setting before anything is even printed on them. They are at home in regional cooking, slow food venues, specialty cafés, bakeries, cake shops, agritourism farms and places closely tied to nature. At the same time the placemats stay easy to swap quickly between guests.

What you can use EKO placemats for

One placemat can do several jobs at once. It protects the table, tidies up the setting and lets you pass on the information you want always visible at the table.

The most common uses are:

• Everyday settings - under a plate in a restaurant, bar, bistro, café, canteen or food court.
• A carrier of information - for the menu of the day, the lunch offer, drink suggestions, set offers or a QR code leading to the full menu online.
• Promotional and seasonal material - for festive or seasonal artwork, information about a loyalty scheme, a QR code to Google reviews or a short message for guests.
• A placemat for children - with a colouring page, a maze, a puzzle or space for a drawing of their own.

EKO placemats also work in breakfast places, hotels and guesthouses, agritourism farms, pizzerias, burger bars and seasonal venues, where a natural look and the option of changing the material often matter.

Which format to choose

The calculator offers two practical formats:

• A3 297×420 mm - the classic rectangular placemat. It gives plenty of room for artwork, a logo, a short menu, the offer of the day and a QR code. It works in restaurants, bars, bistros and canteens, especially where the placemat is to be practical and informative at once.
• 300×300 mm - a square, more compact version. It suits a simpler, tidier setting, a large logo, an illustration and minimalist compositions with a QR code. It looks good in cafés, hotels, breakfast places, pizzerias and burger bars.

When choosing the format, look at the size of the tables and plates, the distance between settings and how much information you want on the placemat. If a menu, a QR code and more content have to fit, A3 gives more freedom. For a simple, more decorative design, 300×300 mm works well.

Which EKO paper to choose

Each of the papers has its own shade and texture and reacts to the print a little differently. So it is worth matching it not only to the design but also to the character of the venue.

Available papers:

• Kraftliner 120 gsm - a raw, kraft, natural look. It suits regional cooking, burger bars, food trucks, bars, bakeries and venues with a craft character. Simple designs with strong contrast, darker printing and sparing typography look best on it.
• Kazan ecru 90 gsm with grass fibre - a light paper with a warm, natural character. It works well on economical placemats that are changed often. It suits cafés, seasonal venues, bistros, canteens and agritourism farms.
• Kazan ecru 120 gsm with grass fibre - a thicker, more stable version. It stays natural in appearance but feels a little more solid on the table. It suits restaurants, hotels close to nature, guesthouses, slow food venues and seasonal cooking.
• Flora Avorio 130 gsm - a light, calm paper with a more elegant character. It works well with minimalist typography, subtle artwork and warmer colours. It suits restaurants, cafés, hotels, cake shops and breakfast places.
• Flora Anice 130 gsm - a more distinctive natural shade, so the surface of the paper itself becomes part of the design. It suits an eco, plant-based, seasonal and wellness style and food service with an organic character.

Why there is no lamination

EKO papers are chosen precisely for their natural surface, colour and structure. Lamination would change the way the paper looks and how it feels to the touch.

That is why we do not laminate EKO placemats. The natural texture stays visible, the paper keeps its character, and the whole thing goes well with a rawer, more craft-like style.

Leaving off the film also makes sense given how the product is used. A placemat is a replaceable item, laid under a plate for the meal and swapped for another when the next guest arrives. An extra protective layer is not needed here.

Printing

Placemats can be ordered in two versions:

• Single-sided - the most commonly chosen option. One side is enough for a logo, artwork, the menu of the day, a QR code, promotional information or a simple layout matched to the setting.
• Double-sided - lets you use the second side as well. You can put a short offer, a menu, information about an event, a loyalty scheme, catering or online ordering on it.

With EKO papers there is one very important thing to remember: the colour of the stock affects the look of the print.

The paper is not neutrally white, so colours will look different than on white coated stock. They can be more muted, warmer and less contrasty. On kraft, ecru and darker materials, light colours can lose intensity as well.

So simple, legible designs with clear typography and good contrast work best. It is better to avoid very small text, thin lines, delicate colour combinations and small QR codes.

File check and graphic design

When you place the order you choose one of the file preparation options:

• No file check - for agencies, designers and anyone confident the design is technically correct. The file goes into production without further control.
• File check by a designer - we check the technical preparation of the design: format, bleed, safe distances from the edge, image quality, CMYK colours, how the file was saved, preparation for single or double-sided printing, and the contrast on the EKO paper chosen.

The check is worth choosing especially if the design was made in Canva, an online generator, an office program, a presentation app or with AI tools. A file like that can look correct on screen and still need the format, bleed, CMYK, resolution or safe margins adjusted.

• Simple graphic design - if you have no file ready, send us your logo, the text, the menu, contact details, artwork or your basic guidelines. We will prepare a simple design matched to the format, EKO paper and printing you chose.

The check by a designer is about technical matters only. We do not check typos, prices, dates, discount codes, dish names and descriptions, allergens, contact details or whether the QR codes work. The customer is responsible for the content.

How to prepare the file for print

• Format and colours - a PDF that follows our specification, prepared in CMYK, is best. We also accept good quality JPG and PNG files.
• Resolution - photographs and artwork should be at 300 dpi at 1:1 scale so that they stay sharp once printed.
• Bleed and margins - if artwork runs to the edge, add bleed. Move the logo, text, prices, QR code, the menu of the day and other important information away from the edge.
• Plan the layout around the plate - part of the surface will be covered by the plate, the cutlery and a glass. Put the most important information at the top, along the sides or in the corners.
• Allow for the colour of EKO paper - on kraft, ecru and other natural stocks the colours are less intense than on white paper. Take care over stronger contrast, legible typography and a QR code that is large enough.
• Check the details - before sending the design, review the prices, dish names, promotions, website addresses, phone numbers, opening hours and event dates.

In the calculator you choose the format, the particular EKO paper, the printing and the run size, and the price of the configuration is worked out straight away.