Short answer: The most practical acrylic menu board is a printed menu sandwiched between two 1/4 in. clear panels on standoffs: when prices change, you unscrew the caps and swap the print. For menus that rarely change, engrave and paint-fill black or white acrylic. For daily specials, use white or black acrylic with liquid chalk markers.
Three ways to build a menu board
Sandwich panels with a printed menu
Two clear panels with the printed menu between them, held to the wall by four (or six) standoffs through both layers. The front panel protects the print from grease and fingerprints, and the glossy face makes colors look rich. When the menu changes, print a new sheet and swap it in a few minutes. This is the best choice for most restaurants.
Engraved boards
We engrave the menu straight into black, white, or clear acrylic and paint-fill it. It's permanent and very durable, which suits signature items, a coffee bar's core drinks, or a brewery's standing lineup. Leave space or a separate panel for anything that changes. See acrylic engraving.
Marker boards for specials
White or black acrylic takes liquid chalk and dry-erase markers and wipes clean. A black panel with bright chalk-marker writing is a modern take on the chalkboard; we can engrave your logo and headings so only the specials are hand-written. More ideas on acrylic dry-erase boards.
What size and thickness to choose
| Menu | Typical size | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Main wall menu | 36 × 24 to 48 × 36 in., often in two or three panels | 1/4 in. (3/16 in. front panel on sandwiches is fine) |
| Counter or register menu | 11 × 17 in. or 8.5 × 11 in. | 1/8 in. in a bent stand |
| Table menu | 4 × 9 to 5.5 × 8.5 in. | 1/8 in. |
Size the sandwich panels to your print size plus a margin for the standoffs: for a 24 × 36 in. poster, panels about 26 × 38 in. keep the standoffs out of the printed area. Splitting a long menu into several panels side by side is easier to hang, easier to update, and easier to ship than one giant board.
Tip: letters should be about 1 in. tall for every 10 ft. of viewing distance. If customers read the menu from 15 ft. back in line, main item names need to be around 1.5 in.
Colors and finishes
Clear is standard for sandwiches. Non-glare clear (1/8 in.) on the front cuts reflections from windows and pendant lights, which matters behind a counter; read about it in non-glare acrylic. Black and white work for engraved and marker boards; frosted and tinted panels make good backers behind clear for a layered look.
How we make it
We cut both panels from the same file so the standoff holes line up exactly, drill holes sized for the standoffs, and include the hardware when you add standoffs to your order. Counter and table menus are bent into L or tent stands; see acrylic sign holders.
Design tips
- Keep standoff holes at least 1 in. from the edges and outside the printed area.
- Group items in clear sections with headings; a menu board is read in seconds.
- Add a QR code for the full menu, allergens, or online ordering.
- Clean with mild soap and water, not Windex-type window sprays or strong alcohol; see how to clean acrylic.
Price a board in the instant quote, or upload your menu layout for engraving.