Pictures, I Wan't To Be In Pictures

Having expertise in Menu Board graphic design, We have found that menus that have the most type have the least success

People never like to read a lot of copy, It all looks the same, and all the words blend in..

We design Menu Boards that have the most impact, Look compelling and the "I've Got To Have That" feel.

Our graphics department is very imaginative, and not afraid to express themselves to get there clients the best results.

Looking at our graphics:

"The Ribs" look like you can just grab one,"Watch Your Shirt"

The "Frappachino" looks ice cold-"Don't get brain freeze"

The "Burgers" are hot and steaming, and the fries are Sizzling "How About a Milkshake"

GET THE PICTURE - You Can Now See Those Item's

We have the most up to date photos, Not something you saw back at the neighborhood Drive-In Movie Theater 35 years ago.

The trick is Graphics-Graphics-Graphics..............

People buy what they see, not what they read

Post on your menus what you do best.

In my restaurant experience listening to patrons that are on line, in restaurants with little to no pictures, All you here is

"I WONDER WHAT SHE IS HAVING, I WISH I KNEW WHAT THAT DISH WAS CALLED SO I CAN ORDER THAT. "

Stop the insanity Use the most graphics you can. Help people make there own choices, Show them what they are going to get. Them let them use that on-line time to order that Mouth watering desert or inviting desert drink.

Go to idsmenus.com and go to graphics section, and examples section, and see what you could be using RIGHT NOW!.

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The Evolution of the Menu Board?

Do I Want Front Lit, or Back Lit Menu Boards?

In the beginning,

The old school of thought was to go with the masses, and use back-lit menu boards

Why?..

Because Everybody uses them.....That's all that's available....... That's Why!

When I started designing menu boards, I did not want to be a "Me-To" company, designing and copying what everyone else was doing.

I did my research, and asked the user's of these old dinosaurs what they liked, and didn't like about what they were using. I called, visited, and documented hundreds of those users, and came up with many common frustrations they all experienced.

Here are some of those comments:

1- Menus look dark and unreadable when the bulbs go out
2- Dust collects everywhere
3- Menu Boards don't look clean and graphics don't look fresh
4- Menu copy has changed, now all copy colors don't match
5- The clear cover glass is not clear anymore
6- The white glass turned brittle and yellow
7- My graphics faded, and you can't make out the picture any more
8- I don't have a outlet for all of my menu boards, all you see is unsightly extension cords
9- The plastic boards are cracking, or the laminate is peeling
10- Tracks are coming loose, and all you see is light leaking around all the price tiles and photos

WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS?

I took all the negatives, and Turned them into positives

Our menu board systems had to be made with something that would not break, last forever, and never look bad or aged.

Answer- I decided to use Sculpted Stainless Steel

Our menu board systems had to made with no tracks

Answer- I consulted with 3M and we developed the first Magnetic based Menu Boards

Our menu board graphics can't fade

Answer- We developed highly saturated color rich graphics that were printed on high contrast film, and then laminated with a non-glare heavy weight acrylic cover and finally bonded with a newly developed magnet material.

The menu boards had to be easy to Maintain and Install:

Answer- Our menu board system was designed so you can install 1 to 100 panels in a row and all look good and perfect. We use Stainless wall brackets, Easy to install. Each bracket holds 2 parallel brushed aluminum pipes that quickly connect.

The menu boards clip onto these parallel tubes in seconds, and are secured with our patented Sure-Lock so they can't come off unless you want them to. It is easy to add or subtract boards anytime you wish.

Lighting these boards is simple and elegant. We offer a low voltage lighting assembly that is attached to each board utilizing MR16 low voltage, Low power lighting technology or you can go to your favorite lighting or home store and get your choice of track lighting that matches your decor.

Years later whenever I visit a client's location, Our menu systems all look like the day we shipped them - clean and the graphics still look bright!!

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What's Your Sign?

IDS Menus has launched this blog to help restaurant designers, owners, and operators improve their customer's experience.

For over 15 years we have been designing and manufacturing menu board systems and displays for the restaurant industry. We hope the information we impart here will help make your business more successful.

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