Guide for hospitality
Restaurant menu QR stand
A table stand with your menu QR code lasts for years, doesn't get wet or crumpled like paper and can be made in your venue's colors. Here's how to prepare it so any customer can scan it first time.
Which link to put in the code
The QR should point to an address that won't change, because a static code can't be edited once printed. The best options:
- A page on your own website (for example, yoursite.com/menu), where you can update the menu without touching the QR.
- A PDF always hosted at the same address, replacing the file when prices change but keeping the name.
- Avoid free-trial links from dynamic QR services that expire or start charging after a few months: if they stop working, you'll have to reprint every stand.
The shorter the address, the fewer modules the code has and the easier it is to print small.
Recommended size
At a table, customers scan from about 30-50 cm. A code of 5 to 6 cm per side reads easily at that distance and fits on a discreet stand. If the stand goes on the bar or at the entrance, where people scan from further away, go up to 8-10 cm.
Colors: put the brand in the text, not the code
It's tempting to make the code in your brand colors, but contrast is what matters. The safest choice is a black or dark blue code on a white or cream background, and using your brand color in the stand's text (“Scan to see the menu”) or the stand itself. If the venue is dimly lit at night, contrast matters even more.
Material and finish
- Matte PLA is enough indoors and is easy to print.
- For a sunny terrace, PETG or ASA is better: PLA can warp in the heat of a summer day.
- Avoid glossy finishes on the code: ceiling lights create reflections that make scanning harder.
- Printed stands can be cleaned with a damp cloth and a little soap; avoid solvents.
What text to add
A code on its own doesn't say what's behind it. Add a short, clear phrase, which the tool also prints raised: “Menu”, “Scan to see the menu” or “Menu and allergens”. If the menu has other language versions, say so: “Menu · Carta · Carte”.
How many to print and how long it takes
Usually one per table plus a couple of spares. A medium table stand prints in roughly an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the printer and layer height, and uses little filament. With a larger build plate you can print several at once.
Before placing them on the tables
- Scan the first one with several different phones (Android and iPhone) under your venue's lighting.
- Check that the menu looks good on a phone and loads quickly on mobile data.
- Place the stand where it doesn't catch the direct reflection of a lamp.
If you also want to share the wifi
Many venues use two codes: the menu on the tables and the wifi on the bar. You can make the wifi one with the wifi QR tool: customers connect without typing the password.