Custom No Cut Table Tents

Choosing Card Weight and Size

The card needs to be stiff enough to stand without sagging. We usually recommend a silk or matt card between 350 and 400 gsm. Lighter stocks curl at the edges and lean over, while very heavy board can crack along the score. For tents that will be handled a lot, such as bar menus, a laminated card resists spills and can be wiped clean between customers.

The most common finished sizes are A6 and A5 faces, which sit neatly beside cutlery and condiments. Larger A4 faces work on reception desks and conference tables where they are read from further away. A DL face, the tall slim shape of a compliments slip, suits narrow bar counters and drinks menus. When you choose a size, think about how far away people will be when they read it and how much table space you can spare. The gsm figures are explained in our card weights explained guide.

Designing for Two or Three Faces

A table tent is read from more than one side, so plan each face rather than repeating the same artwork everywhere. On a two-sided tent, both faces are usually seen by guests on opposite sides of the table, so the same main message on both makes sense. On a triangular tent, the third face often sits on the base or faces a wall, so it can carry smaller details like terms, a website or a QR code.

Keep text short and large. A single strong headline, a photo or illustration and one clear call to action will be read; a dense paragraph will not. Leave a margin around each score line so text does not disappear into the fold, and check that nothing important sits on the base panel that tucks under.

If you use QR codes, test them at the final size and in typical table lighting before you approve the proof. Single-sided cards that lean on a stand are our table tent cards for single faces.

Finishes That Survive Busy Tables

Tables are messy places, so finish matters more than it might seem. Matt or gloss lamination protects against drips, rings and greasy fingers, and laminated tents last far longer than uncoated ones. Gloss makes photographs of food and drink look vivid, while matt is easier to read under bright lights and gives a more understated look. Soft-touch lamination feels lovely but marks more easily in a bar setting, so it suits hotels and events more than busy pubs.

For special occasions or premium venues, spot UV can pick out a logo or headline, and foil can add a metallic accent to a wine list or event programme. Uncoated card is still a good choice for short-lived promotions where the tents will be replaced within a few weeks. Our laminates compared for wipe-clean use guide shows which finishes survive a cloth.

Planning Runs and Changing Messages

Because no cut tents are inexpensive and quick to print, many venues treat them as a rolling promotion rather than a fixed menu. One approach is to keep a standing design for core information, such as Wi-Fi details, allergen guidance and opening hours, and print short runs of offer tents that change with the menu. Another is to print several designs in one order and rotate them across tables.

Count your tables, add a few spares for replacements, and multiply by the number of designs. That gives a sensible order quantity without boxes of unused tents sitting in the store room.

It also pays to think about storage and replacement. Keep a small stack of spares behind the bar or counter, because tents get knocked onto the floor, splashed or taken home by guests more often than you would expect. A tent that looks tatty sends the wrong message about the venue, so swapping it for a fresh one as soon as it marks is worth the small cost. Laminated tents last much longer between swaps, which is why many busy venues choose them even for short promotions.

Venues with several sites can print the same design for every location in one order, then add a small location-specific line, such as opening hours, as a variant. That keeps branding consistent while still being useful for guests. The same promotion handed out at the door goes on A6 flyers for the same promotion.

Fold a Printout and Put It on a Real Table

Table tents are judged from a chair, so before you order, print your design on plain paper, fold it along the score lines and stand it on an actual table beside the condiments. That shows whether the headline reads from a seat, whether the QR code is at a scannable height and whether the tent is too tall for a crowded table. Settle the size and the number of faces that way, then choose the card weight: 300 gsm for a short promotion, 350 gsm with a laminate for a menu that is wiped daily. Tell us the quantity and whether several designs run in one order. Artwork is one file per face, sent as vector or high-resolution files, or a logo and text if you want the layout set for you, and the free proof shows every face with the score lines. A custom quote comes by email within one working day, minimums are quoted per job, and tents are printed in 4–7 working days after approval and delivered flat on free tracked UK mainland delivery. Bigger menus need the taller A4 table tents for bigger menus.