Napkin Sizes
What Is a Beverage Napkin? Sizes, Ply and When to Use One
A beverage napkin is a small napkin placed under or beside a drink. In the trade it usually means a 5×5 in folded napkin (10×10 in unfolded), most commonly 2-ply or 3-ply tissue. Bars, cafés and caterers use them to catch condensation, protect tabletops and give guests something to wipe with.
Beverage napkin vs the other standard sizes
| Type | Folded | Unfolded | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage | 5 × 5 in | 10 × 10 in | Drinks, bar service, cafés |
| Cocktail | 4 × 4 in | 8 × 8 in | Canapés, stand-up receptions |
| Luncheon | 6.5 × 6.5 in | 13 × 13 in | Brunch, light meals, cafés |
| Dinner | 8 × 8 in | 16 × 16 in | Full table service, hotels |
Which ply should a beverage napkin be?
- 1-ply — cheapest, fine for a quick drink service where the napkin is used once.
- 2-ply — the volume standard for bars and casual dining; absorbs condensation without soaking through.
- 3-ply — noticeably more substantial; chosen when the napkin doubles as a hand wipe or is printed with a logo that must read well.
Beverage napkins are one of the most popular items for logo printing — a 5×5 napkin under a drink puts the brand directly in front of the guest. See our custom printed napkin branding guide for artwork setup, or read what napkin ply means before specifying.
Buying beverage napkins in bulk
Stock beverage napkins start at 5,000 pcs per design, with custom printing available from the same minimum. Samples are ready in 5–7 days and bulk production runs 10–15 days after artwork approval. Wholesale pricing is quoted EXW or FOB from our Yiwu factory.
Browse our cocktail and beverage napkin range, or start a custom run on the custom printed napkins page.
Explore related guides: Our Factory · How to Order in Bulk · All Products
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