Key takeaways
- Size by use: dinner 16×16–22×22 in, cocktail 10×10–12×12 in, guest/luncheon ~12×12 in, dispenser towels 1-ply folded.
- Material: paper = lowest cost; airlaid = linen-like premium at disposable cost; cloth = reusable/washable.
- Ply: 1-ply (towels), 2-ply (standard table/cocktail), 3-ply (premium).
- Custom printing: MOQ 5,000 pcs/design; sample 5–7 days; bulk 10–15 days.
- Compliance: food-contact-safe low-migration inks, responsible fibre sourcing, ISO-aligned quality control; certificates arranged via upstream partners on request.
- RFQ essentials: size + ply + material + print file + quantity + packaging + destination.
1 · Napkin size & ply reference
| Type | Common size | Ply | Typical material | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner napkin | 16×16 – 20×20 in | 2–3 | Paper / Airlaid | Restaurant mains, banquet, hotel |
| Cloth dinner | 20×20 – 22×22 in | — | Cotton / Polyester-linen | Reusable upscale service |
| Cocktail napkin | 10×10 – 12×12 in | 2 | Paper / Airlaid | Bar, drinks, appetisers |
| Guest / Luncheon | 12×12 in | 2–3 | Paper / Airlaid | Restroom, lobby, events |
| Dispenser towel | 1/3-fold, 1/6-fold, c-fold, z-fold | 1 | Paper (white) | Kitchen, restroom, C-fold dispensers |
| Foodservice roll towel | Roll / interleaved | 1 | Paper (lint-free options) | Commercial kitchen hand-dry |
See the full napkin size & ply guide for fold types and regional conventions.
2 · Paper vs airlaid vs cloth
Paper
Lowest unit cost, fully disposable, widest colour and print range. The default for high-volume restaurants and catering.
Airlaid
Linen-like softness and drape at a disposable price. Premium look for weddings, fine dining and events without laundry.
Cloth
Cotton or polyester-linen, washable and reusable. Best where laundry is manageable and a permanent premium feel is required.
3 · RFQ checklist (send this to suppliers)
- Size & shape: e.g. 12×12 in cocktail, 20×20 in dinner, or folded towel format.
- Material & ply: paper 2-ply, airlaid, or cotton cloth.
- Print: artwork/file, colours, placement (all-over, border, logo corner).
- Quantity & MOQ: per design minimum is 5,000 pcs; state total volume.
- Packaging: bulk pack, retail banding, or custom private-label wrap.
- Certifications: list any required (FSC, BSCI, FDA, food-contact).
- Destination & Incoterms: port/country and preferred shipping terms.
4 · Compliance & certification reference
Buyers commonly request the following certificate types for their target market (we arrange documentation through our upstream partners on request — we do not publish certificate images):
FSC® — responsible fibre sourcing BSCI — social compliance audit FDA — food-contact status (US) GS — safety certified ISO — quality management systems
Request the specific certificate relevant to your market when you enquiry. Our Yiwu factory ships to restaurants, hotels, distributors and promo resellers across North America, Europe and beyond.
5 · Custom printing guide
Minimums & lead time
MOQ 5,000 pcs per design. Sampling 5–7 days; bulk production 10–15 days after artwork approval. Private-label packaging available.
Artwork
Provide vector (AI/EPS) or high-resolution PNG/PDF. We adapt logos, monograms and themed artwork to napkin print; licensed third-party characters require authorization.
Where it works best
Weddings, corporate events, restaurant branding, hotel guest rooms and promotional campaigns. See custom printed napkins.
Colour matching
We hold your shade reference for repeat orders so every batch matches across reorders.
Frequently asked questions
What size napkin do restaurants use?
Restaurants typically use dinner napkins 16×16–20×20 in (paper/airlaid) or 20×20–22×22 in (cloth), cocktail napkins 10×10–12×12 in, and guest/luncheon napkins around 12×12 in.
How many plies should a foodservice napkin have?
1-ply suits dispenser towels and high-volume use; 2-ply is the standard for table and cocktail napkins; 3-ply adds absorbency and a more premium feel for upscale service.
What is the MOQ for custom printed napkins?
Our custom printing minimum is 5,000 pieces per design. Sampling takes 5–7 days and bulk production 10–15 days from artwork approval.
Are your napkins certified (FSC/BSCI/FDA/ISO)?
Production uses food-contact-safe low-migration inks and responsible-fibre sourcing, with ISO-aligned quality control. We can arrange the relevant certificate documentation through our upstream partners on request.
Paper, airlaid or cloth — which should I choose?
Paper for low-cost disposable service, airlaid for a linen-like premium look at disposable cost, and cloth for reusable/washable service where laundry is manageable.
Can I get a free sample before ordering?
Yes — sample lead time is 5–7 days. Share your size, ply, material and print requirements and we will prepare a sample for evaluation.
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