Airlaid napkins sit between paper and cloth: they look and feel like linen but are disposable. For hotels, restaurants and distributors, they offer a premium presentation without the laundry cost. This guide explains what they are, how they are made, and how to specify them.
An airlaid napkin is made from cellulose fibres that are dispersed in air and bonded into a soft, cloth-like nonwoven sheet — rather than being woven (cloth) or creped from tissue (paper). The result has the drape, softness and absorbency of linen with the convenience of a disposable.
Fibres are air-laid into a web, then embossed for a linen texture and printed if required. Because there is no weave, the napkin holds its fold, resists shedding, and feels substantial in the hand — which is why it is the default choice for upscale table settings.
| Attribute | Airlaid | Standard paper / tissue |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Linen-like, soft, drapes | Matte tissue, lighter |
| Absorbency | High | Moderate |
| Shedding / lint | Low — holds fold | Can shed, especially 1-ply |
| Best for | Fine dining, weddings, upscale hotels | High-volume casual & back-of-house |
| Cost per piece | Higher | Lowest |
For the full decision guide, see Airlaid vs Paper Napkins and Airlaid vs Regular Paper.
| Material | Airlaid nonwoven (cellulose) |
|---|---|
| Common size | 19×17 in (dinner), 17×17 in (pocket), beverage & guest-towel |
| Ply / GSM | 1-ply, 60–68 gsm |
| Fold | Dinner, pocket, beverage, guest-towel |
| Softness | Linen-like; drapes and feels substantial in hand |
| Absorbency | High — outperforms standard tissue, closer to a cloth towel |
| Strength / shedding | Holds fold, resists shredding and lint |
| Colour | White, ivory, custom shades (Pantone matched) |
Airlaid is the right choice when presentation matters but reusability does not. Common buying contexts:
Dinner and beverage formats for table service where a linen look lifts perceived value.
Guest rooms, banquet halls and lobby lounges use them as a premium disposable.
Personalised airlaid napkins double as place settings and keepsakes.
Bulk airlaid gives caterers an upscale disposable across mixed events.
Compact guest towels and meal-service napkins at volume.
Airlaid accepts custom printing, embossing and private-label packaging, so distributors and retailers can ship under their own brand. Typical options:
See the Private Label & OEM guide and private label napkins for the full program.
Related: compare the two directly in our Airlaid vs Paper Napkins guide, or browse airlaid napkins wholesale.
Get a wholesale quote, request a free sample, or ask about MOQ and lead times.
