Painting lettering on a painted chalkboard for a custom menu

A custom menu must work before anyone notices the craft. Customers need to find a coffee, understand a dish and read its price from across a table. Painting lettering on a painted chalkboard for a custom menu creates a warm, handmade focal point suited to Melbourne laneway cafés, neighbourhood bakeries and Sydney market stalls while accommodating a changing daily offer.

The right treatment depends on how often the board changes. Some venues want permanent hand-painted typography with space for temporary chalk notes; others need fully erasable lettering. Deciding this early protects the surface, prevents stubborn marks and makes the finished menu easier for staff to maintain.

Choosing the right painted board

Choose the base before choosing the colours. A pre-painted panel should be inspected for raised paint, oily patches, scratches and loose edges. Timber or MDF is useful, but a commercial-grade board will handle daily touching better than a thin decorative panel. For a fully changeable menu, the surface needs a compatible chalkboard finish; for permanent lettering, a smooth painted board can simply be sealed.

Measure the display area in metric dimensions and allow room for the frame, mounting fixings and opening space. Australian summers can be intense, so an outdoor or window-facing board needs UV-resistant paint and a durable clear coat. Coastal venues should also consider salt-laden air, which can accelerate corrosion around unprotected metal fixings.

Planning a readable menu

Good hand lettering depends on hierarchy as much as beautiful brushwork. Give the café name the strongest presence, use clear capitals for headings and keep dish names, descriptions and prices visually distinct. A script can add personality to one prominent line, but restrained lettering is usually easier for customers to scan than several competing styles.

Write the final wording before decorating the board. Australian consumer prices generally display the 10% GST, so avoid adding it again at the bottom. Keep descriptions concise, identify vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices clearly, and use familiar language. A simple flat white, burger or weekend brunch will mean more to local customers than an obscure description that needs deciphering.

Preparing the painted surface

Preparation determines how cleanly the lettering sits. Clean the board with a suitable degreaser, sand any uneven gloss and fill minor flaws. Apply a primer where needed, followed by two thin coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The final surface should feel uniform and have no shiny areas that catch chalk or brush tips.

Lightly map the composition with a soft pencil or transfer paper. Establish the centre line, margins and spacing before adding individual letters. Work from the largest elements towards the smallest, checking alignment from the normal viewing distance. A ruler can guide straight borders, but freehand curves need a relaxed wrist and should never be forced into rigid geometry.

Painting the lettering and decorative details

Choose the lettering method to match the required lifespan. Water-based chalk markers suit an erasable menu and can be softened with a damp cloth if the surface is compatible. Oil-based markers provide richer colour but may not erase, so test them in a corner first. Permanent brush lettering can be created with suitable acrylic or sign-painting paints, then protected with a compatible clear sealer.

For hand-painted capitals, begin with the basic downstroke and add weight through pressure and consistent speed. Keep letters open and avoid tiny counters that will fill with chalk dust. A few confident flourishes, borders or simple food illustrations can frame the menu, but decoration should support the information rather than compete with it. Test the full menu from several metres away before calling the board complete.

Make the menu a handmade feature

Start with a clear brief that includes the venue, board dimensions, menu sections, colour palette and whether the lettering must be permanent or erasable. Include a photograph of the display area and note how often specials change. These details allow the lettering artist to develop expressive brushwork without compromising the practical rhythm of service.

Explore The Paint Box Letters for hand-painted typography inspiration, choose the finish that suits your venue, and give your café a menu made to be noticed.