Holiday Hustle on a Budget: Print Hacks for Restaurants, Bars & Pubs
The holidays are around the corner—meaning busy nights, festive drinks, and a full calendar of events. But for many restaurants, bars, and pubs, it can also mean tighter budgets and pressure to make every marketing dollar count. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice creativity or impact to make the season shine.
At AV Graphics, we specialize in helping local businesses make their message pop with fast, flexible, and affordable print. Here are some smart hacks to stretch your budget while still rolling out engaging, high-quality holiday promotions.
DIY Your Designs—Without Losing the Look
Not every great idea needs a full design team. Tools like Canva and Adobe Express make it easy to brainstorm, draft and customize templates for posters, table tents, and menus in minutes.
Start with your logo and brand colors for consistency. Hiring a professional for these crucial elements will elevate your brand—and then your team can take it from there.
Add a few festive elements—like a subtle snowflake border or warm gold accent—to set the mood. AV Graphics can handle most finishing and embellishments in-house and make recommendations on which would pop without breaking the budget.
Keep the layout clean and legible from a distance. In a dark or busy room where people are eating and drinking, patrons appreciate solid info at a glance.
Once your designs are ready, just send them to AV Graphics. We can preflight and ensure your files are print-ready and look sharp on everything from window clings to waterproof menus.
Plan to Pivot
If there’s one thing restaurant pros know, it’s that specials and events can change fast. That’s why you need a printer that can pivot as quickly as you do.
At AV Graphics, we’re set up for short runs and fast turnarounds, so if your menu changes or you add a last-minute event, we can reprint your materials without slowing you down. You don’t need to commit to a massive print order—print what you need now, then reorder or revise later.
Bundle Print Projects for Bigger Savings
Combining your print orders can save you both time and money. Instead of ordering new menus, flyers, and signage separately, bundle them for consistent quality, ease and potential cost savings. For example:
Menus + Table Tents: Share the same design theme and print at once.
Event Posters + Window Clings: Promote your New Year’s Eve party or game-day specials inside and out.
We can even help you choose durable materials that hold up through the busy season—think tear-resistant, waterproof menus or reusable signage for future events.
Mix Print and Digital
You can stretch your print marketing further by pairing it with social media. Post a photo of your new printed menu or signage and tag your event hashtag. QR codes printed on table tents or coasters can drive customers directly to your website, social media channels or online reservations page.
Print drives attention in-person—and digital drives conversions. Together, they’re your holiday dream team.
Think Beyond the Holidays
When designing holiday print, look for opportunities to reuse layouts or materials. A festive “Winter Specials” menu, for instance, can last well into February with just a few seasonal tweaks. Need help adjusting designs later? AV Graphics can update files quickly and reprint batches as needed—no waste, no hassle.
Ready to Get Festive (and Frugal)?
With the right planning—and the right print partner—you can fill seats, promote your events, and stay on budget all season long. Let AV Graphics help you make it happen with quick turnarounds, flexible print options, and expert support for your designs.
Contact us today to start your next print project!