A table tent on a table is seen by 100% of guests during a visit: it is the cheapest advertising contact in a cafe, costlier only than the waiter. Tabletop advertising in A5-A6 formats pays back on the very first special offer or seasonal drink: the guest reads it while waiting for the order. Below are the specifics of the structures, materials, formats and print runs for venues in Tashkent.
What a table tent and a menu holder are
A table tent is a tabletop two- or three-sided "tent" made of heavy cardboard or plastic carrying advertising for a promotion, a new dish, a Wi-Fi password or a QR menu. A menu holder is a holder into which a sheet or booklet of the menu is inserted: a vertical stand with a pocket. Both belong to the tabletop POS group and are often ordered as a set for a venue.
A third, similar format is the table stand: a rigid base (acrylic, wood, metal) with a clear pocket for a replaceable insert. It is convenient when promotions change often and only the insert needs reprinting.
Types of tabletop structures
Cardboard table tent
Folded from a single sheet of coated cardboard of 250-350 g/m², two or three advertising faces, full-color printing on both sides. The most widespread format: cheap, quickly changed for a new promotion, and it costs little to refresh it every season. Service life is up to 1-3 months of active use.
Acrylic table stand with a pocket
A clear "house" stand or L-shaped base with a pocket for a replaceable A5/A6 sheet. You print only the insert, and the holder lasts for years. Best for venues where the menu and promotions are updated weekly.
Vertical menu holder
A stand for a single-page or multi-page menu: acrylic, wood, metal or a combination. Available with a clip, a pocket or a ring mechanism for laminated pages. For the bar counter and the table.
Wooden and metal stands
The premium segment: plywood, solid wood, brass, stainless steel. For craft bars, restaurants with signature cuisine, and coffee shops with a distinct style. More expensive, but they shape the perception of the venue.
Standard tabletop advertising formats
| Format | Size, mm | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 210×297 | Menu holder, entrance stand |
| A5 | 148×210 | Table tent, main menu for the table |
| A6 | 105×148 | Promo table tent, QR code, Wi-Fi |
| Euro (110×210) | 110×210 | Narrow stand, bar counter |
| Square 100×100 | 100×100 | Compact tent for a small table |
For cafes with small tables, take A6 or a square: a large tent gets in the way of table setting. For restaurants with spacious seating, A5 is suitable.
Comparison of materials by task
| Material | Service life | Min. run | For which task |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coated cardboard 300 g/m² | 1-3 months | from 50 pcs | Changing promotions, seasonal menu |
| Laminated cardboard | 3-6 months | from 50 pcs | Permanent menu, humid environment |
| Acrylic + replaceable insert | 3+ years | from 10 pcs | Frequent changes of promotions |
| PVC plastic | 1-2 years | from 30 pcs | Outdoor terrace, food court |
| Wood / metal | 5+ years | from 1 pc | Image, signature concept |
Hygiene and wear: what to consider for HoReCa
A cafe table is wiped dozens of times per shift, so the table tent material must withstand moisture and disinfection. Unprotected cardboard goes soggy within 1-2 weeks, so for permanent use it is laminated, or plastic/acrylic is chosen. Lamination (gloss or matt film) adds moisture resistance and allows the surface to be wiped. On a terrace or food court, where there is direct sun, UV-resistant inks are chosen, otherwise the print fades within a season.
Branding and print runs in Tashkent
Cardboard table tents are printed by offset (cost-effective from 300-500 pcs) or digitally (small runs from 50 pcs), with a lead time of 2-5 days. Acrylic stands are laser-cut from 10 pieces, 3-5 days. Replacement inserts for acrylic are reprinted in 1-2 days, which is convenient for a weekly change of special offers. On wood and metal the logo is applied by engraving or UV printing.
For a venue's set, the usual count is: menu holders by the number of tables plus a reserve, table tents in a run of "tables × 1.5" (allowing for wear and replacement), plus a separate batch of promo tents for the current campaign.
Frequently asked questions about table tents and menu holders
What is the minimum run of table tents I can order?
Cardboard ones from 50 pieces (digital printing). Acrylic stands with a pocket from 10 pieces. Wooden and metal stands from 1 piece.
What table tent format should I choose for a cafe?
For small tables, A6 (105×148 mm) or a 100×100 mm square, so as not to get in the way of table setting. For restaurants with spacious seating, A5 (148×210 mm). For the main menu on the table, A5 or an A4 menu holder.
Will a cardboard table tent survive wet cleaning of the table?
Ordinary cardboard will not; it goes soggy within 1-2 weeks. For permanent use the cardboard is laminated with film, or acrylic/PVC is used: such surfaces can be wiped and withstand disinfection.
Why is a table stand with a pocket more convenient than a one-piece tent?
A replaceable insert goes into the stand: the holder lasts for years, and for a new promotion you reprint only the sheet in 1-2 days. This is cheaper than printing a run of new cardboard tents each time.
Can a menu QR code be placed on a table tent?
Yes, this is one of the most common formats: one face of the tent carries a QR code for the electronic menu or payment, the other a promotion or the Wi-Fi password. The minimum QR size for reliable scanning is 25×25 mm.
How many days does it take to make tabletop advertising in Tashkent?
Cardboard table tents take 2-5 days, acrylic stands 3-5 days, replacement inserts 1-2 days. The time depends on the run and production workload.
Order table tents and menu holders in Tashkent
We will put together a set of tabletop advertising for the format of your venue: material suited to the conditions of the hall, size to fit the tables, branding and replacement inserts for promotions. For the full POS zone of a cafe and a shop, see also types of POS materials for retail, wobblers and shelf talkers and the overview of POSM materials and their tasks. For help choosing the stand material, see the article POS made of cardboard, PVC and acrylic.
We will make it to fit your task: making POS/POSM materials in Tashkent with a cost and lead-time estimate.
