Dear Amigos,
In a world of almost unlimited design resources, it can be hard to locate high-quality mockups that are tailored to specific niches. We look at all these perfectly curated studio projects that tell a story through their brand applications and wonder if we would be ever be able to replicate those visual experiences with the tools we have available.
While we know that a design project is way beyond just placing your design on PSD Mockups, we are also aware that choosing the right resources can really help us visualize already strong ideas into the real world, specially when we’re building a design portfolio. That’s why the ATOA team, that has already spent hours curating free design resources and amazing projects, decided to put it all together in specific lists to help you save time finding the correct resources and references to place your work in the right direction.
Our first article will be about quick food branding, covering businesses and projects that take classic universal meals like pizzas and burgers to their full potential through the use of strong and effective visual languages. When customers ask themselves: why would i choose a new place to eat a burger when i already have all the big fast-food chains available for me? That’s when we can decide for them through effective design. Whether you’re creating a personal project for your portfolio or working for a client, here is a curated selection of branding projects to spark your appetite, along with the mockups you need to serve up your own ideas.
Freshly Made Resources
Finding the right way to showcase your work is important. You want assets that feel high-end but casual enough to look real. Here are five distinct mockups to get your branding off the screen and into the real world.
1. Free Paper Liner Mockup for Food Packaging
When designing for fast food, the details matter, and the greaseproof paper that lines the tray is a prime piece of real estate for patterns and logos. This high-resolution mockup allows you to display your repetitive branding elements or logo patterns in a realistic setting that adds depth to your presentation. Download it here
2. Free Packed Burger Mockup
There is nothing quite like the anticipation of unwrapping a warm burger. This mockup captures that specific moment, giving you a realistic foil or paper wrap surface to showcase your packaging design. It creates a tangible sense of volume and texture, making your branding look ready to eat. Get it here
3. Free Customizable A-Stand Mockup
Street visibility is crucial for fast food locations to capture foot traffic. This A-Stand mockup is perfect for showcasing daily specials, menu highlights, or witty brand messaging right on the sidewalk. It offers a realistic outdoor context that helps clients visualize how the brand lives in the physical world. Grab the freebie here.
4. Free Coffee Cups on Pavement Mockup
Perfect for the breakfast crowd or the late-night pick-me-up, this mockup places your cup design in an urban environment. The “on pavement” setting adds a gritty, realistic street-style vibe that works exceptionally well for modern, urban food brands looking to connect with a city audience. Download the resource here.
5. Open Pizza Box Free Mockup
For pizza brands, the box is the billboard. This open box mockup allows you to showcase the interior lid design or the way the branding frames the product itself. It is an essential asset for presenting a complete takeaway experience, ensuring your layout looks perfect before it hits production. Get the mockup here
6. Free Shadowy Clipboard Mockup for Menus
Sometimes the best way to present a menu isn’t on a standard folded card, but on a clipboard that implies a casual, constantly changing offering. This mockup features a clipboard casting a dramatic shadow on a textured surface, creating a sophisticated backdrop that is perfect for showcasing daily specials or craft cocktail lists. It adds a layer of realism and depth that flat PDFs simply can’t match. Download it here
7. 2 Paper Carry Bags Free Mockup
In the age of food delivery, your brand needs to travel well. This scene features two high-quality paper bags that are ideal for visualizing how your branding looks when it leaves the restaurant. Whether you are designing for a burger joint or a high-end bakery, these bags offer a clean, realistic canvas to test your logo and packaging patterns on a delivery-ready format. Get it here
8. Free Delivery Backpack Mockup by Mr. Mockup
In the gig economy, the delivery backpack is a mobile billboard. This mockup is essential for brands that rely heavily on delivery apps, allowing you to show how the visual identity travels through the streets on the backs of riders. It helps demonstrate that the brand experience remains consistent and visible from the kitchen all the way to the customer’s doorstep. Grab the freebie here
9. Free Acrylic Cube Lightbox Mockup by GraphicPear
Modern food spots need signage that shines—literally. This acrylic cube lightbox mockup offers a sleek, minimalist way to present a logo, particularly for night-time settings or trendy fast-casual joints. The realistic glow effect adds a premium touch that helps clients visualize their brand as a beacon in the city streets. Get it here
10. Free Storefront Awning Mockup by Unblast
A restaurant’s facade is its first handshake with the customer. This awning mockup allows you to place your branding on the exterior signage in a way that feels architectural and welcoming. It’s perfect for visualizing how color and typography will look when applied to the physical texture of a storefront sunshade, helping clients see the “curb appeal” of their new identity. Download it here
Real-World Inspiration: Putting it All Together
Now that you have the assets to visualize your work, let’s look at who’s getting it right. These three projects, ranging from inventive identity systems to charming custom typography, show how a distinct vision translates into an iconic brand experience. They prove that successful design is truly well-balanced—a blend of typography, texture, and smart visual strategy.
1. Brusco Burger by Another Collective
This identity proves that burger branding can be both playful and robust. The design moves away from the standard red and yellow tropes. It uses a rich color palette that feels modern yet appetizing. The typography is bold enough to be noticeable from a distance but maintains a friendly character. It is a perfect example of how to keep a brand feeling unique while selling a classic product. Read the full case study here
2. Barbetta’s by Onion Studio
Barbetta’s brings a vibrant energy to the table. The visual language here is fun-filled and electric, perfectly matching the lively atmosphere of the venue. It avoids being stiff by incorporating dynamic patterns and illustrations. This project shows how a distinct personality can turn a simple food concept into a lifestyle brand that people want to be seen with. Discover the full project here
3. Meet the Meat by NOS Casa de Marcas
Branding a butchery or meat-focused restaurant requires a careful balance. This project handles the subject with a lighthearted touch. The graphics are crisp and clean, avoiding the overly rustic look often associated with meat branding. It feels freshly made and contemporary. The designers managed to create a system that is straightforward yet full of character. See the branding in action here.
We hope these case studies spark your appetite for creativity and that these mockups help you present your next food branding project with five-star quality. Stay tuned for more curated mixes of inspiration and resources!
Yours truly,
Since you are really into creativity, you might be interested in these other articles and resources:
Best 7 Y2K fonts filled with digital nostalgia – Free Download
