Why You Should Use 8.5x11 Pizza Menus for Takeout & 11x17 Menus for Di

For people in the pizza industry, menus are one of the most powerful advertising tools if used wisely. The two most important menus that contribute directly to the growth of a pizzeria are takeout menus and menus for direct mail. Just as each menu serves a vital purpose, the size of each menu also makes a difference for practical as well as marketing purposes. It is important to understand the difference between the two most common sizes, 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17, and how they should be used in terms of marketing to generate massive sales.The Takeout Times

Benefits of an 8.5x11 Takeout Menu

This type of takeout menu can be designed in such a way as to maximize the limited space on the paper. For example, the design of the menu can be done horizontally (landscape) or vertically (portrait). Also, the paper can be easily folded into two or three segments to make it smaller, or more reminiscent of the dine-in menu. Furthermore, the printing can also be done on both sides of the paper. Because they are smaller in size, an 8.5 x 11 pizza takeout menu can easily be stapled to the top of a pizza box, slipped in carryout bags or even placed on the counter or near the door for easy access to consumers. A larger menu such as an 11 x 17 would be too big and bulky for this purpose, which is one of the most important reasons it should be reserved for direct mail advertising campaigns.

Benefits of 11x17 Menus for Direct Mail

While a small sized paper like an 8.5 x 11 is good for takeout menus, larger sized paper works best for direct mail marketing. Consumers will receive this in the mail box so it is advisable to make it big, bold and beautiful. If direct mail menus do not grab consumers' attention in the mailbox, that menu is likely to end up in the trash. Also, 11 x 17 glossy paper provides a good platform for large fonts, bold colors, large and crisp images. High quality photos of delicious looking dishes stimulate the senses and actually cause the person to feel hungry, even if they're not! Significant research has substantiated that photos of delicious looking foods actually cause the salivary glands to activate, hence the term "mouth watering."

While both takeout menus and direct mail pizza menus are designed to generate sales, both serve a very distinct purpose and size is of prime importance. An 8.5 x 11 would probably be too small to garner much attention in a mailbox, while an 11 x 17 would be too big to use for takeouts. They can actually both utilize the exact same layout if absolutely necessary, however, with free customizable online pizza menu templates, there is no reason not to have a unique design for each. A good, professional printer will have a number of pizza menu designs and templates that can be completely customized. And as an added 'bonus,' it's good to know that you can actually get those oversized, 11 x 17 pizza direct mail menus printed and mailed for less than the price of a stamp.