How to make a digital menu board (and what it costs)

Hardware: use the TV you have

Any TV works. If it runs Android TV or Google TV, install the PlainSignage player directly. Otherwise plug a Fire TV Stick or Android TV box into the HDMI port. Mount the TV at eye level above the counter; 43–55 inch is typical for a single board, three boards side by side for a large menu.

Design rules for readable menus

Menus are read from three to five metres. Keep to one to three columns, large prices, high contrast and at most 8–10 items per column. Use badges (new, vegan, spicy) instead of long descriptions, and photos only for the dishes you want to sell more of.

• Font size at least 1/30 of the screen height for item names
• Dark text on light background or vice versa — no pastel on pastel
• Group items in sections; align prices right
• Rotate a specials slide instead of cramming the board

Build it in the menu widget

Add the Menu / price list widget, type sections, items, descriptions and prices and choose classic, modern, chalkboard, cards or minimal. The widget lays out one to three columns and fits the text automatically. Add your logo, a clock and a ticker for today's deal.

Schedule breakfast, lunch and dinner

Create a playlist per daypart and schedule it: breakfast until 11:00, lunch until 16:00, dinner afterwards. Campaigns with a start and end date handle seasonal menus. Screen hours switch the TV off after closing.

Costs

TV you already own (or €300–€500 new), Fire TV Stick €30 if needed, PlainSignage €14.99 per month for the first board and €4.99 for each extra board. Three boards cost €24.97 per month, all features included, no contract.