Talking paper

Paper place mats are not only functional, but also a means of creative communication with restaurant guests. We have been familiar with paper place mats used in place of or on top of table cloth for a long time. Its original function has been to protect the table or table cloth from stains, but it is also increasingly used for communication. The simplest form of communication is to put our logo or name on place mats. Most fast food chains communicate their current offers or menus on place mats. Place mats are used as menus in other restaurants as well. Place mats used as menus are often covered with protective foil. Laminated place mats are reusable, though more expensive and deny us the possibility of altering prices without some investment… We can also put photos on place mats, which is a practical idea in restaurants where exotic dishes are served, or in cocktail bars. People like to read in cafés and restaurants serving fast food. This is probably why many place mats are designed like pages from newspapers. An example of this concept is the „Columbus Café News” from Paris, with an editorial about a card to be introduced for regular guests. Another café in Mexico City actually has the front page of a local newspaper printed on its place mats every day. The double size place mats used on tables for two come from Western Europe, but the place mat used in a restaurant called Jóbarát, in Keszthely is an example of Hungarian creativity. Advertisements of businesses located nearby are printed on their place mats. .In one of the units of the pizza chain MixR-pizza, place mats have replaced the guest book. Regularly refreshed editions contain hand written notes from earlier guests and current guests also have place to dot down their opinion.