Welcome to Usanza. A vibrant and imaginative company where we integrate the art of design with the skill of binding.
Design + Binding
Menu covers are often an afterthought. We at Usanza believe they can be a dramatic and very effective tool to promote your brand and food offering. We tend to forget that menu covers are the first real object that your clients will touch. An incredible opportunity to push that first impression to the limit.
Usanza is a custom design and fabrication house. This means we'll assist with the design concept, selection of the right materials and finally, hand craft the perfect product specifically for you. We have no minimum orders.
Our philosophy is simple; make custom, high-end, quality products for all our clients.
Enjoy our site and we hope it inspires you to give us a call.
Five Steps To Great Results
We'll work closely with you to create your ideal cover.
First we will evaluate your menu needs and the brand of your establishment. Here are some of the basic questions we review to help you make the best choice:
Getting there is much simpler than you might think; just five simple steps.
Let's begin with Step 1...
Step 1: Cover Styles
There are two elements to choosing a cover style; the number of menu pages and the 'look' you want to portray.
After determining the number of menu pages, you can choose from a variety of styles including 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or multi-page covers. But we don't stop there because our products do more than hold menu papes. We probe deeper to learn about your overall brand.
Here are some basic questions we'll discuss with you;
The photo slider at the right shows the basic styles, but remember, we are a custom binding house and can create unique products for you. Don't forget, we are just a phone call away at 613-833-1454.
Step 2: Page Holder
There are many ways to hold the menu pages; from the classic corner to the contemporary horizontal pocket and all the way to the colourful elastics or chicago screws.
Along with their visual and striking appearance, each responds to certain practicalities that are beyond just looks. Pocket types clearly have speed of page replacement and offer an air of sheer elegance. In cases where there are multiple pages, then screws or elastics are a great option.
The slider shows all these options and colours.
Step 3: Fabulous Fabrics
By far, this step, the cover material selection, is the one that transforms the product with the most striking visuals. From genuine luxurious leathers to classics and all the way to contemporary designs and colours, we have a rainbow of choices.
The fabric pre-selection process is taken extremely seriously at Usanza. We know the environment where covers are used. We literally investigate dozens of new fabrics a year. Only after they pass our tests do we add them to our line.
Step 4: When Size Matters
At Usanza, you create the standard.
You decide what best serves your menu layout. Since we are a fully custom shop, we have no "stock" sizes, so the sky is the limit.
To get you started though, the size chart below illustrates typical print dimensions. If these don't fit your layout, create your own and we'll work right along with you to make it happen.
Step 5: Foil Stamping, Debossing
The last step is identification. There are two basic methods of marking the covers with your logo or other wording; hot foil stamping and debossing (where the later is the most common method).
The photo slider provides a little coaching on how and where we can stamp your covers. Unfortunately not all methods work on all fabrics. Chemical bonding and temperature sensitivity do not always allow some to intermix.
Make a statement with wine list covers
You invested a great deal to create and build your wine selection. You want to make a statement about your brand through your stock. Like a standout business card, advertising your wine list with pizzazz through a custom wine list cover is the perfect aperitif.
Nothing delivers the message about the care and respect you have for the art of the sommelier like an outstanding cover from Usanza.
Here are some samples of our covers.
The buck does stop here
Nothing "closes the deal" with more sophistication and respect for the paying client than a custom made billfold. Those mass-produced plastic bill presenters, many with advertising of credit card companies instead of your establishment, may not be how you wish your patrons to remember you.
A billfold made to measure delivers a strong message. In fact, why not add a special note using our large foils or debossing methods. Now that takes attention to detail to a whole new level; say "Thank You" in a unique way.
Join the collective
You spared no expense to get just the right look, the brand and identity. You invested heavily in the decor, the furniture and the fixtures to project that perfect image.
Binding products should command the same attention. More so since your patrons will hold them in their hands more closely than any other item that speaks of your brand. They are a perfect way to advertise what you are all about...
Building a custom collection of covers with incredible colours and textures will enhance your patron's senses and experience. After all, it is all about the experience, isn't it?
All the other great stuff
Usanza is much more than covers.
We cater to the whole suite of hospitality products such as;
And of course all of these are custom made to match your cover collection. Take a peek at the photo slider for ideas and suggestions.
Passion
Over seven years ago, I made a life changing decision; I pursued a dream of running my own show. Along with some heavy investments in the tools I needed to get started and training to perfect my skills, Usanza Binding + Design was born.
I knew what I wanted. It was not a vision of grandeur but rather one of uniqueness in a world of mass production and a sea of ordinary. I wanted to be different. I believed there was still a market that appreciated craftsmanship and customization; just like most of my future customers with their culinary art.
So, to this day I strive to be unique and to make you distinctive and singular.
Welcome to my world!
Helping Others
When not in the shop, I volunteer to help dog rescue groups. In fact, my family and I always foster at least one dog (who often come from dreaded "puppy mills"). Providing comfort and finding homes for these poor creatures brings me incredible joy. I'm never sure who is helped more!
I am also a contributor to www.kiva.org.
They are a non-profit organization who leverage the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions to help alleviate poverty through lending. I really enjoy helping people around the world grow their own business and improve their quality of life.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit my site. I truly hope you are intrigue by what you see. If you feel it is time to make an investment in binding products, I'll be happy to chat with you.
Laurie
By hand, each and everyone
Usanza is a custom design and binding house. There are no mass production assembly lines here. And this is by design.
Our setup is perfectly suited to bring binding concepts to reality. We cater specifically to those with needs of upmost attention to detail, originality and adaptability. Whether in person or not, our processes ensure that we capture and interpret your wants carefully. In fact, we can even build a prototype before you advance to the full line. We'll even credit the prototype investment should you proceed with the complete order. We do this so you feel confident in our outcome.
Every single product is carefully made by hand with painstaking attention to every detail. We developed our own tools and procedures that make us extremely efficient. Our raw rate material waste is just a measly 4%. This bodes well for our environmental values, which is also paramount.
Whether you have a clear plan of what you are looking for, it is drawn on a napkin or you need help to trigger ideas, we would be happy to chat with you.
Usanza Binding + Design
Located in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario.
Please reach out and call or write, we'll be happy to chat.
lmartin_usanzabd.com
Telephone: 613-833-1454
Fax: 613-833-1566
