Opening a hotel or restaurant in Qatar means juggling licences, hiring, fit-out and suppliers all at once. Print often gets pushed to the last minute — and then the menus arrive the morning of the soft launch. This hotel pre-opening printing checklist helps you plan every printed item early so opening day goes smoothly.
It works for restaurants and cafés too. Just skip the room items.
Step 1: Lock Your Brand Files First
Before anything goes to print, make sure you have final logo files, colour references, fonts and bilingual wording approved. Changing a logo after 20 items are printed is expensive. Read our guide to print-ready artwork and why print colours differ from screens.
Hotel Pre-Opening Printing Checklist: Front of House
- ☐ Menus and menu folders for every outlet
- ☐ Table tents with QR menus and Wi-Fi details
- ☐ Placemats and coasters
- ☐ Bill books and bill folders
- ☐ Reception registration cards and key card holders
Guest Rooms
- ☐ Door hangers (Do Not Disturb / Make Up Room)
- ☐ In-room directory in a leather folder
- ☐ Notepads, letterheads, envelopes and pens
- ☐ Amenity kit boxes and turndown packaging
More detail in our posts on hotel printing and amenity packaging.
Takeaway and Café Items
- ☐ Hot and cold cups with cup holders
- ☐ Food boxes and pouches
- ☐ Paper bags and seal stickers
Signage and Launch Marketing
- ☐ Door and directional signs
- ☐ “Opening soon” banners and hoardings
- ☐ Launch flyers and business cards for the management team
- ☐ Invitations for the opening event
A Realistic Pre-Opening Timeline
- 10–12 weeks out: brand files finalised, print list agreed
- 8 weeks out: custom packaging and leather items approved (these take longest)
- 6 weeks out: stationery, room collateral and signage approved
- 3–4 weeks out: menus printed (after final pricing)
- 1–2 weeks out: delivery, quality check and spares
One Printer, Fewer Problems
Working with a single printer for your whole opening list keeps colours consistent and gives you one point of contact when timelines shift. See our full HoReCa printing guide for more.
FAQs
When should a new hotel start its pre-opening printing?
About ten to twelve weeks before opening, starting with the items that take longest, like custom packaging and leather.
Which items should be printed last?
Menus, because prices and dishes often change in the final weeks before opening.
Should I order extra stock for opening?
Yes. Opening weeks are busy and unpredictable, so keep spares of menus, cups and bags on hand.
Talk to Speedline Printing Press
Office No. 403, 4th Floor, Aqar Building, Al Jazeera Street, Bin Mahmoud, Doha, Qatar
Phone: +974 3000 4519 | +974 4436 4588
Email: [email protected]