Start with clear categories, item names, and prices. Keep long descriptions and decoration from pushing those essentials out of view. The final test happens at the screen, not on a laptop.
Give customers one clear reading path
Group the menu the way someone orders: mains, sides, drinks, or another familiar sequence. Keep category names consistent and place prices beside the matching item. Use the same alignment throughout a section so customers do not have to hunt for the cost.
Where sizes or options share one price structure, make the headings clear. A short explanation beside the options works better than repeating a long sentence on every row. Never use a decorative photo to cover the item or its price.
Check distance, contrast, and glare
Stand at the back of the normal ordering line and try to read the smallest important text. Screen size, mounting height, viewing distance, and lighting all affect readability; one font size will not work for every installation.
Use a clear contrast between text and background. Check it in daylight and under service lighting. If a photograph sits behind text, move the text onto a simple background. Look for reflections from windows or overhead lights before deciding the design is finished.
- Read item names and prices from the queue
- Keep matching prices consistently aligned
- Check glare at the usual viewing angle
- Use color to support meaning, not carry it alone
Use fewer items instead of smaller letters
When the board feels crowded, remove unnecessary descriptions or split categories across displays. Do not keep shrinking the type to fit everything. A two-screen setup can give each screen a clear job, such as meals on one and drinks on the other.
Keep the core ordering menu visible long enough for customers to decide. Use a separate space for a promotion where possible. Fast-changing slides can make someone wait for an item they were still reading.
Review the real menu before publishing
Use the names, prices, sizes, and availability that the restaurant actually offers. Check a long item name, an unavailable item, and a category with more entries than usual. These are the cases that expose clipping and confusing spacing.
Every ScreenFire plan includes AI screen layouts, and paid plans add AI images and motion graphics. Check the words, food imagery, placement and target display before publishing.
Clear answers before you choose.
What font size should a digital menu use?
There is no single size for every screen. Test the smallest essential text at the normal viewing distance on the installed display, then increase it or reduce content until it is easy to read.
Should the whole menu be a video?
Keep ordering information stable and readable. Motion can support a promotion, but it should not make customers wait to see prices or lose their place.
Can I use AI-generated menu content?
Yes, with review. Check every item name, price, food image, and screen placement before publishing. Every ScreenFire plan includes AI screen layouts; AI images and motion graphics need a paid plan.
Sources and further reading
Official documentation for the hardware, menu data, or design guidance discussed here.