Here’s the thing, New York. The ball will drop at midnight, but your printing can’t afford to wait for the countdown. For most restaurants, hotels, and entertainers, New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest and most profitable nights on the calendar. This means that all your menus, tickets, and signs need to be perfect the very first time, since December 31 will not give you a second chance. As long as your calendars allow, the best course of action is to book your printing right away.
Hospitality Printing, a Beast of Its Own Kind
Retail printing is about catching attention right on the street. Hospitality printing catches attention not only on the street, but also when guests are reading, touching, and taking photos of your printings all through the night. According to point of sale data published by Toast, restaurants that stayed open on New Year’s Eve saw their sales increase by about 20% in comparison with other days in December, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The increased number of guests leads to an increased number of eyes looking at your menus and printings, so any error is visible right away.
What Should You Print at Each Venue?
Each venue requires different printings. Check out the following list for hints.
|
Venue Type |
What to Print |
Best Format |
|---|---|---|
|
Restaurants |
Prix fixe menus, table tents, reservation signs |
Poster printing and sign printing |
|
Bars and Clubs |
Tickets, drink cards, entrance signs |
Retractable banner stands and large format printing |
|
Hotels and Event Venues |
Directional signs, welcome displays, photo walls |
Backdrop banners and step and repeat printing |
|
Cafes and Bakeries |
Pre-order signs, bag and box branding |
Window posters and sticker printing |
|
Pop-Ups and Rooftops |
Booth signage, outdoor welcome signs |
Vinyl banners, mesh banners, and trade show displays |
Signs and Banners That Set the Mood
First impressions are made from the door onwards. It is easy to place retractable banner stands at the entrance, cloakrooms, and ticket counters because they can be easily installed and relocated if necessary. Inside, there are fabric banners that provide an elegant look to a space without reflecting much light, which is important at night-time and for photoshoots.
Speaking of photography, a photo wall is a cheap way to promote yourself because of backdrop banners and step and repeat printing that makes your guests advertise your event by posting photos. In the open space, vinyl banners hold up against frost, while mesh banners are the best choice for a windy rooftop as air goes through them. For the unique design, you can use custom banners in NYC with the countdown theme or venue name.
Small Menus, Small Tickets, and Other Details
These small printed items have great importance during the New Year’s Eve event. An uncluttered menu allows your staff to work more efficiently, while a clear ticket or beverage card lends an air of organization to the entire evening. Table tents can be used to publicize any promotions, midnight toasts or reserved times of seating. Sticker printing is a cheap way to market your takeout bags, favors packages, or desserts.
Use sturdy material for all of those materials that are likely to get handled, along with large, high contrast text that is easily legible in dim lighting. If you wish to encourage guests to view the entire menu or book a table, include a QR code on the material.
Choosing Your Printer
As you decide on which printing service to use in New York, it is important that you choose one that takes you seriously and does not consider you just another client number. At Next Day Banner Printing, they have customer service people ready to help you out in all your orders, big or small. Whether you are looking for same day banner printing or planning ahead, make sure you ask your printing firm for samples and cut off times.
When Plans Change Fast: Last Minute Printing
The truth is that on New Year’s Eve, last minute changes are made just before the very last minute. There could be an addition of a seating, a new DJ, or another dish on the menu. This is when last minute printing becomes handy. Same day printing service, rush banners, one day banner and even overnight banners can help you solve the problem at hand, provided that you have your files ready.
Have all the artwork prepared and organized and saved in the correct sizes. This way making the change will take minutes instead of hours. But don’t forget that not everything can be done the same day.
New Year’s Eve Print Timeline, an Easy Process
From now until mid-November: Plan your menu, theme and ticket price, then choose the layouts.
From late November to early December: Confirm artwork and proof read it.
Mid December: Get the banners, stands and signs printed.
Mid December: Get the menu and ticket printed and then do quality check.
New Year’s Eve week: Do rush printing only for last minute changes. Remember, this year December 31 falls on Thursday.
Design Tips for the Big Night
Make sure it’s easy and clear. Have one key message per sign, such as “Midnight Toast Free” or “Open Doors at 9.” Choose fonts that people will be able to see from a distance, and select colors that really stand out in the dim light. Gold, black, and white have their reasons for being classic combinations. And remember to double-check your work, especially numbers and dates.
New Year’s Eve is the time when your place shines brightest of the whole year, and your printed materials are part of it. Plan ahead of time, choose the right materials, and find a printer who’ll help you out. When midnight strikes, your guests won’t think about mistakes in the printed materials but about the party itself.
