Offer choices with a reason
Give guests options they can understand quickly: two illustration styles, a small set of patch designs or an initial treatment. A menu should express the event’s idea, not simply display every file available. Physical samples make the effect of each choice easier to see.
Draw the boundary before the event
Decide which elements are fixed, which may change and which requests cannot be accommodated. Write down character limits, placement rules and available combinations. That gives the crew a consistent way to answer guests and reduces avoidable rework.
Make approval part of the experience
Show a guest their selected design or text before production. Give each order a way to stay connected to its item through pickup. If a choice runs low, update the visible menu promptly. A clear alternative is better than accepting an option that cannot be fulfilled.
Illustrative planning scenario
Example: two designs and two products
A guest can choose a tote or a shirt and one of two graphics. Instead of suggesting every placement is available, show the four approved product/design combinations. If a design is approved only on the tote, remove the unsupported shirt pairing from the menu.
A working decision sheet
Treat the menu as a production document as well as a display. Each visible option should correspond to a choice the order record can capture. Give designs short, distinct labels; do not depend on the crew recognizing “the one on the left” after the display moves. When stock changes, update both the physical display and the person welcoming guests.
| Decision | Record or review | Planning note / owner |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Name the actual item and size options | Avoid generic labels that hide different blanks. |
| Design | Use a short unique name for each graphic | Match that name to the order record. |
| Placement | Show the approved decoration location | Do not imply unrestricted positioning. |
| Collection | Explain the order reference and pickup point | Keep returning guests out of the order queue. |
Put it into your brief
- What are the exact guest-visible choices?
- Which combinations are unavailable or require a different process?
- Who updates the menu when stock changes?
Use these questions to record the decisions you already know and identify what needs review. Keep the brief with the current product specifications and event documents.