Side by Side
How the two menus live day to day
| Felt letter board | Chalkboard | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Crisp, even type. Every line straight. | Freehand lettering, drawings, color. |
| Who updates it | Anyone on staff. No handwriting needed. | Someone with a steady hand. |
| Changing a line | Lift the letters, press in new ones. Seconds. | Erase and rewrite, in the same hand. |
| Limits | The characters in your letter sets. | None. Anything you can draw. |
| Upkeep | Letters stay put. Nothing to wipe. | Chalk dust, and a clean slate to redraw. |
Choose felt letters when
Several people update the menu, prices move often, and you want every line to read the same. Built to the inch, up to 96" wide, from $312.
Choose chalk when
Someone on the team letters well, and the board is part of the room's character. Our sister brand, Custom Chalkboards, builds porcelain-on-steel chalkboards to size.
FAQ
Letter board or chalkboard
01Is a letter board or a chalkboard better for a restaurant menu?
It depends on who updates it. A felt letter board gives anyone on staff a crisp, even menu with no handwriting. A chalkboard suits a place with someone who letters well and wants drawings and a hand-made look.
02Do I need good handwriting for a letter board menu?
No. The letters are cut to a set size and press into the felt grooves, so every line sits straight and every character matches.
03Which is faster to update?
A letter board line changes in seconds: lift the old letters, press in the new ones. A chalkboard line is as fast as the person writing it, and it has to match the hand that wrote the rest.
04Can I draw on a letter board?
No. A letter board carries the letters, numbers and symbols in its sets. For illustrations and freehand type, a chalkboard is the right board.
05How much does a letter board menu cost?
A 48″ × 36″ felt letter menu starts at $528 and a 96″ × 48″ at $1,101, with a silver aluminum frame and 435 letters included. Shipping is quoted to your ZIP.
06Where can I get a custom chalkboard menu?
Our sister brand, Custom Chalkboards, builds porcelain-on-steel chalkboards to size at customchalkboards.com.