Every table has its own QR code. The guest scans it with a phone, orders from the menu and pays online or at the table. The order reaches the kitchen with the table number – the waiter doesn't have to collect orders.
Step 1. The table ordering page
Choose the page a guest lands on after scanning the code: InPlate → Settings → System → Pages → Table ordering page.
- The page must contain the InPlate menu (the “InPlate – Menu” block or the
[wp-inplate-menu]shortcode). It can be the same page as the online menu. - The QR codes go through a permanent InPlate link (
/wp-inplate/table/{code}/), so changing this page doesn't require printing the codes again.
Until the page is set, table ordering doesn't work – the QR tables screen shows a warning with a link to the settings.
Step 2. Tables
Go to InPlate → QR tables.
A single table: click Add table, enter a label (e.g. “Table 6”) and optionally a zone or room (e.g. “Room 1”, “Terrace”).
Many tables at once: click Add multiple (next to Add table) and in the window enter:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Prefix | “Table” |
| From – To | 1 – 12 → Table 1, Table 2 … Table 12 |
| Zone / room (optional) | “Garden” |
| Create as active | on |
The button shows how many tables will be created, e.g. Create 12 tables. You can create up to 200 tables at once. The list warns you when a label repeats.
Table actions
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| QR code | Preview of the code, PDF download and printing |
| Copy link | Copies the table's link, e.g. for testing |
| Edit | Changing the label and the zone |
| Disable / Enable | A disabled table doesn't accept orders; the code stays valid after it is enabled again |
| New code | Generates a new code. The old code stops working – print a new card |
| Delete | Deletes the table and invalidates the printed code. This can't be undone |
Copy link is a button in the QR link column. The other actions are icons in the last column – the action's name shows when you hover over it. Deleting requires typing the table's label.
QR codes contain long, random tokens that can't be guessed.
Step 3. QR cards to print
In the QR card template section, set the look of the cards:
- Heading, e.g. your venue's name,
- Text below the code, e.g. “Scan with your phone to order”,
- Columns per A4 page: 1 (large cards), 2 or 3 (small cards).
In the export, choose Active only or All tables and click Download PDF. Print the file and put the cards on the tables.
Step 4. The look of the table page
The Hide page header and Hide page footer options hide the theme's header and footer on the ordering page and in the order form – only for guests at a table. The page then looks cleaner, like an ordering app.
Step 5. Hours and payment
- Hours: set the Ordering hours at tables (QR code) in the Schedule. They work independently of the online ordering hours. Closing days and holidays apply at tables too.
- Payment: turn on the InPlate | Pay at the table method and/or an online payment gateway. See Payments.
- Minimum: an optional minimum for tables is turned on in Settings.
What the guest sees
- They scan the code and land on the menu page with the note “You're ordering at a table”.
- They choose dishes and add-ons and go to the order.
- They enter a name (optional) and choose the payment.
- They place the order. The thank-you page and the email show the table.
A table visit lasts 4 hours from scanning the code – during that time the guest can order another round without scanning again.
A disabled, deleted or outdated code (after a new one was generated) shows the guest a clear message instead of the menu.
What the kitchen sees
- In the KDS the order is marked QR table with the table's label and zone.
- The QR tables channel filter shows only orders from tables.
License
Editing tables requires an active license or a trial. After the license expires, table ordering keeps working, but changes to tables are blocked. See License.