Party Menu in PSD

List of the Dishes or Drinks

As stated above, guests need to know what will be served. You can arrange them from the appetizer to the dessert with the main course in the middle. You can also put it according to how it is placed on the table. Although, some would prefer to arrange it according to its key ingredients like “Beef,” “Vegetable,” “Pasta,” or “Greens.”

Components of the Dish

Aside from the names, another way for guests to identify ingredients is by writing the components of the dish. Break down the ingredients below the name of the dish. You do not have to write everything but include at least the key component. Below is an example of how you can write it.

Roasted Lamb Rib with mashed potato and vegetable
Seared rib rack in pepper and orange-infused glaze, side with garlic mashed potato and asparagus puree, and sauteed corn, carrots, and peas drizzled with peanut oil

From the example, it can be easily understood that the dish has lamb, pepper, orange, garlic, potato, corn, carrots, peas, asparagus, and peanut oil. Anyone allergic to any of those will have the chance to not eat the dish. A simple menu card can save a life of your guests.

Other Details

On the bottom of the card, you can write the time when the food will be served and what time people can start eating. Also, if you are planning to host a buffet, you can also specify when the guest can go to the table to get food. You can specify who goes first and who goes last according to your preference. This allows a coordinated dining during the event you are hosting.

Match with the Season or Theme

If you are celebrating a seasonal occasion, it is ideal to design your card to fit with the season as well. Decorate it with symbols and objects that are highly reminiscent of the season. This way, you won’t have to think hard of the layout you are to use. The same goes with regular or nonthemed parties. Do not stray too far with the theme you are planning for the party. Conceptualize from the theme so the menu card won’t seem out of place once you place it on the table. You can find ready-made templates online. Look for blank party menu templates whether in image format or in PSD to customize.

Keep It Legible

In every design, the importance of legibility will always be brought up. That is because the clarity of the words you have written is the highlight of a menu. Who wants to read a card that is not legible? Use fonts that are easy to see even from a distance. You can even put the names of the dishes in bold and the description in regular style. Another way to keep the words legible is by adding a sort of mini block behind the words. It separates the text from the background and makes every word pop on the card.

Organize the Structure

Like any other content, you need to keep the contents of your menu card organized. Regardless of what order you want the dishes to be arranged, you just have to make sure that the flow of the menu is smooth. You do not want to confuse guests even with just a simple menu card. Follow proper spacing and alignment. Don’t put the texts too tight or close to each other. Likewise, you don’t want words to be too loose or too tight either.

Add Extra Details

The extra details depend on your style. You can add a ribbon on top of your card or perhaps a border by the corner of the card. The color of the menu card can be considered a detail as well. Be creative on your menu cards but remember not to overdo it.

Barbecue Menu

This is great for sunny days in the comfort of your backyard. You can have as many kinds of meat as you please—beef, chicken, pork, or a merry mix of them all. Your barbecue menu template doesn’t have to be formal and very appropriate. In fact, this is the type of menu where you can express anything that is related to having a barbecue party. Informal texts and humorous designs are very well accepted.

Cocktail Menu

The cocktail menu does not only mean the drinks alone but the cocktail party in general. The food choices in this type of part are usually those that you can pick by hand and eat as it is. Meaning, you are expected to serve bite-sized food so guests can have it whole. The food is mostly paired with wine, regardless if it is white or red. Also, one reason that the food is cute into chucks is because the guests are mostly standing and walking around socializing. They wold need something they can eat right away without using utensils. Avoid greasy and saucy food to add on the menu.

Formal Menu

A formal menu would include fancy plated dishes (ones you could normally find in a charity or fundraising banquet menu). It would hold a small portion of food with an art-like looking serving. If you want a menu that will woo someone or perhaps make a good impression to guests, then you would want to consider preparing a formal menu. The cards used on this menu are very neat and formal as well. It would have minimal colors with very firm typography. This is best for intimate parties such as engagements and anniversaries.

Kiddie Menu

This is one of the easiest to prepare for. Kids would always have a soft spot for pasta and most of the time, it really won’t be forgotten. Find some treats such as a chocolate fondue, muffin, and other all-time favorites; add them to your dessert menu template; and surely, you would win the heart of your guests. Also, the cards for this are easy to make. You can apply bright colors with all sorts of cartoon-like design, then you are all set for production.