Whether you’re a restaurant serving up some of the most inventive dishes in town or a spa with the best varieties of relaxing indulgences on the block, your menu is one of the most powerful weapons in your marketing arsenal.
Your menu is your customers’ first glimpse into who you are and what you have to offer; if it looks good, they’re going to do business with you—and if it doesn’t, they’re likely to go and check out the menu elsewhere.
That’s why it’s so important to hire a top designer to bring your menu to life. When your menu looks good, it lets your customers know the items on the menu are good, too.
How to get the best menu design
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Now, you’re probably familiar with the concept of hiring a freelance designer. But what you might not be familiar with is the fact that hiring a freelance designer isn’t your only option when it comes to getting graphic design done. Anyone thinking of creating a menu should seriously consider a menu design contest.
How a design contest works is simple. You write a brief describing what you are looking for and designers from all over the world submit concepts unique to your brief. You then choose finalists, give them feedback to hone the designs and ultimately pick your favorite menu design. If you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for in your menu and want to see a variety of different design styles, a design contest is a great way to go.
Learn more about menu design contests –>
On the flip side, if you already have a clear idea of the style and direction you’d like to take your menu, hiring a freelancer is a great choice!
The 10 best freelance menu designers to hire in 2023
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1 Marcy_McGuire 5.0 (175) Menu Typesetting with imagery Typesetting Signage Postcard, flyer or print Brochure Product label Other business or advertising Other book or magazine Illustration or graphics Other design Product packaging Poster Other packaging or label Book cover T-shirt Sticker Infographic Facebook cover Business card Request quote 2 Avem Noctis 5.0 (131) Menu Postcard, flyer or print Other design Illustration or graphics Web page design Logo design Brochure Signage Poster Other business or advertising Product packaging T-shirt Sticker Product label Other clothing or merchandise Other art or illustration Clothing or apparel Business card Website builder Stationery Social media page PowerPoint template Other web or app design Other packaging or label Other book or magazine Merchandise Logo & business card Character or mascot Logo & brand identity pack Request quote 3 Alshimaa Mou 5.0 (158) Social media page Brochure Postcard, flyer or print Menu Web page design Other business or advertising Other design Other web or app design Other book or magazine Landing page design Infographic Illustration or graphics Stationery Logo design WordPress theme design Signage Product label Icon or button Typesetting with imagery Logo & social media pack Prezi design Poster Other packaging or label Other art or illustration Facebook cover Email Card or invitation Business card Logo & brand identity pack Brand guide Request quote 4 SimpleIsGood 5.0 (117) Logo design Menu Logo & brand identity pack Logo & business card Web page design Logo & social media pack Postcard, flyer or print Product label Signage Other web or app design Clothing or apparel Business card WordPress theme design Social media page Product packaging Other packaging or label Other business or advertising Logo & brand guide Car, truck or van wrap T-shirt Sticker Poster Other design Other book or magazine Other art or illustration Logo & hosted website Logo & product packaging Icon or button Brand guide Request quote 5 Kiki Aly Studio 5.0 (133) Brochure Menu Other book or magazine Postcard, flyer or print Other business or advertising Other design Product packaging Business card Landing page design Product label Infographic Banner ad Web page design Other web or app design Logo & social media pack PowerPoint template Logo design Typesetting with imagery Stationery Other art or illustration Merchandise Magazine cover Logo & brand guide Brand guide Book cover Request quote 6 RELKHARAC 5.0 (158) Menu Brochure Postcard, flyer or print Other design Other business or advertising Logo design Illustration or graphics Other web or app design Signage Poster Stationery Product label Product packaging Other packaging or label Other book or magazine Banner ad Infographic Business card Web page design Typesetting PowerPoint template Landing page design Cup or mug Logo & brand identity pack Brand guide T-shirt Social media page Logo & hosted website Logo & product packaging Logo & brand guide Icon or button Facebook cover Email Card or invitation Car, truck or van wrap Book cover Request quote 7 Julia S. 5.0 (73) Product packaging Postcard, flyer or print Menu Product label Signage Logo design T-shirt Illustration or graphics Clothing or apparel Sticker Other clothing or merchandise Car, truck or van wrap Business card Banner ad Other business or advertising Card or invitation Brochure Book cover PowerPoint template Poster Icon or button Other packaging or label Other design Merchandise Other art or illustration Logo & product packaging Logo & business card Cup or mug Brand guide Request quote 8 green in blue 5.0 (218) Logo design Logo & brand identity pack T-shirt Product label Logo & business card Illustration or graphics Book cover Business card Logo & social media pack Card or invitation Product packaging Postcard, flyer or print Menu Other clothing or merchandise Other art or illustration Other design Logo & brand guide Poster Other business or advertising Clothing or apparel Merchandise Signage Cup or mug Web page design Sticker Podcast Album Cover Social media page Other web or app design Other packaging or label Infographic Car, truck or van wrap Brand guide Request quote 9 giekstrave 5.0 (139) Infographic Other business or advertising Poster Menu PowerPoint template Postcard, flyer or print Illustration or graphics Social media page Brochure Logo design Other design Logo & social media pack Facebook cover Business card Logo & brand identity pack Banner ad Web page design Signage Other web or app design Other clothing or merchandise Request quote 10 Rose ❋ 5.0 (824) Brochure Postcard, flyer or print Business card Book cover Other business or advertising Signage Menu Poster Other design Podcast Product packaging Logo design Other book or magazine Product label Stationery Illustration or graphics Card or invitation Banner ad Web page design Car, truck or van wrap Other web or app design Magazine cover Other art or illustration Email Logo & hosted website 3D Logo & business card Icon or button Facebook cover Sticker Logo & product packaging WordPress theme design Social media page PowerPoint template Other packaging or label Merchandise Landing page design Infographic Brand guide T-shirt Logo & social media pack Album Cover Other clothing or merchandise Clothing or apparel Logo & brand identity pack Request quote More menu designers
How did we choose these as the top menu designers?
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We know getting the right menu design is critical for your business—and that’s why we go above and beyond to make sure we’re recommending the best talent for your menu design. Here’s what we looked at when choosing designers to feature on this list:
1. Design quality
When a designer joins 99designs, our team reviews their portfolio, evaluates each piece, and considers the conceptual thought, technical execution and knowledge of design principles evident in their work. Once the review is complete, they then assign the designer one of three levels:
- Top Level
- Mid Level
- Entry Level
You’ll find these levels displayed on designer portfolios so you can easily see if you’re working with a designer with a ton of experience (and the design chops to match) or someone who’s a bit more up-and-coming.
2. Menu design experience
Figure skating and hockey both require training and skill, but most people on the ice specialize in one or the other—not both. With design, it’s the same thing—while all designers have design skill and talent, most specialize in a particular area. In addition to looking at overall quality, we specifically vetted each and every designer on this list to make sure they had experience with and specialized in menu design.
3. Professionalism
It’s a given that you want a designer with design skills—but it’s just as important to work with a menu designer who communicates with you throughout the process, delivers on time and is all-around good to work with. We took past customer experiences into account to make sure all of our recommended menu designers offer the best of both worlds—awesome design and professional client service.
Are you ready to hire an awesome freelance menu designer?
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Your menu is your potential customers’ first glimpse into what they can expect from your business—and if you want those potential customers to turn into repeat customers, you need a professionally designed menu that’s going to knock their socks off.
Want more menu designer choices?
None of these designers fit the bill for your menu? It’s all good! We’ve got tons more menu designers for you to check out.
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