Tent Cards for Restaurant Tables — Sizes and Design Tips

The tent card sitting on every table at an Indian restaurant is one of the most-read pieces of marketing in your business. Every diner picks it up. Most read both sides. Here's how to make that attention count.

Standard sizes that work

• 4×6 inch folded: the most common — sits unobtrusively, readable from across the table
• 5×7 inch folded: for restaurants with larger tables (6-seater family tables); more presence
• A5 folded (5.8×8.3 inch): for fine-dining where each table is a focal point
• A4 folded (8.3×11.7 inch): rarely used — too big for most tables; better as a counter sign

What to print on each side

A tent card has two sides — both visible to different diners around the table. Treat them as two distinct pieces of content, not two copies.

• Side A (faces the entrance): the daily/weekly special, a new menu item, or a featured dish photo
• Side B (faces the rest of the room): the Instagram hashtag + handle, OR a complementary item ("Try our chai with the masala dosa"), OR an event announcement

Content rules

1. One idea per side. Don't list the entire menu; pick one thing.
2. Image-driven works best for food, drink, dessert specials
3. Bold price for value items. "Today's lunch thali — ₹199" beats "Lunch special available daily"
4. Avoid expiration dates older than two weeks. Stale "December special" tent cards in February look like the restaurant doesn't care

Common design mistakes

• QR code that links to a long-form menu PDF. Nobody scans this. They want a faster path to the thing on the card.
• Stock photos of food that doesn't match what the restaurant serves. Customers notice.
• 4 social media icons in a row. Pick one (usually Instagram).
• Long-form description of a dish. Three lines max — the rest belongs in the menu.

Material and lamination

Tent cards face food spills, water condensation, and constant handling. Recommendations:

• 300 GSM card stock minimum — anything lighter and the tent collapses
• Lamination essential — matte for upscale restaurants, glossy for casual diners
• Spot UV on the dish image for premium feel — the image looks "wet" or photo-real

How often to refresh

For "today's special" tent cards: weekly. For "this month's feature": monthly. For permanent branding tent cards (hashtag, social handles): every 2–3 months, before they start looking worn.