Why A5
A5 (148 × 210 mm) is half an A4 sheet. For a set menu it has everything going for it:
- A full menu fits, with starters, mains and desserts in comfortable type.
- It takes up little room on the table, next to the cutlery or in a napkin holder.
- It can be read at a glance. Nobody has to hunt.
- It uses half the paper and ink when you print two per sheet.
In the US, the equivalent is half-letter (5.5 × 8.5 in), and the idea is exactly the same.
How “two per sheet” works
The PDF comes out on a landscape A4 with two identical copies of the menu side by side. Print, cut down the middle and you have two menus. Ten sheets, twenty menus.
For this to work, the menu has to fit on one side of A5. MenuDesign adjusts the type to use the space without going below a readable size. If it doesn’t fit, take the hint: there are too many dishes or too many words.
Printing
- A4 paper, in the normal tray.
- Actual size, never “fit to page”. Otherwise the two copies won’t be centred on each half and the cut will be crooked.
- Single-sided. The landscape orientation is already in the PDF.
- Print one test sheet and check the centring before you print the rest.
If you only have US Letter paper, the two-up A4 layout won’t fit. Print the single A5 version at actual size (it fits on a Letter sheet with room to spare) and trim it, or keep a ream of A4 for menus.
How many to print? Count your tables, add a few spare copies for the ones that get stained and divide by two: that’s your number of sheets.
Which paper to use
| Situation | Paper weight |
|---|---|
| Inside an A5 sleeve or on a clipboard | 90–100 gsm |
| Loose on the table | 120–160 gsm |
| Lasting the whole week (weekly menu) | 160–200 gsm, or a sleeve |
If the menu changes every day, laminating isn’t worth it. A clear A5 sleeve protects the paper and lets you swap it in seconds.
Cutting
- Guillotine or lever trimmer: you cut several sheets at once, straight, in seconds. The best investment if you print a daily menu.
- Craft knife and metal ruler: fine for a few sheets. Use a cutting mat.
- Scissors: emergencies only; the cut is never straight.
Turn on crop marks in the PDF to see exactly where to cut. If you cut several sheets at once, line them up by tapping the stack on the table first.
Sleeves and holders
- Clear A5 sleeves: they protect the menu and wipe clean.
- A5 clipboards: rustic, tough and quick to update.
- Table menu holders (the easel kind): the menu stands up and stays in view.
Use the same menu in other formats
The menu you made for the tables also works for the door: switch the format to A4 or an A3 poster and you get a sign with the same design. One more click gives you an image for social media (post or story), so your regulars can see what’s for lunch today.
Step by step in MenuDesign
- Create or open your set menu.
- Choose the A5 · two per sheet format.
- Choose a style: Tablecloth and Chalkboard are made for neighbourhood restaurants and set menus.
- Check the date, the price and the “includes” line.
- Download the PDF or print straight away, then cut.
No sign-up, no payment, and the menu stays saved in your browser for tomorrow. New to set menus? Start with how to make a set lunch menu.
Frequently asked questions
What if my menu doesn't fit on A5?
The app shrinks the type down to a readable limit. If it still doesn't fit, shorten the descriptions or drop an option: a set menu that won't fit on half a sheet usually has too many dishes.
What paper should I use for an A5 menu?
120 to 160 gsm if it sits loose on the table, so it doesn't curl. If it goes in an A5 sleeve, 90–100 gsm is enough. In the US, that's roughly 32 lb bond or 80–100 lb text.
Can I put two different menus on the same sheet?
No: this format repeats the same menu twice so you cut it and get two identical copies. If you need two different menus, export them separately.
How do I cut the sheets straight and fast?
A guillotine or a lever paper trimmer cuts several sheets at once. The crop marks on the PDF show you exactly where to cut.