Napkin Specification Cheat-Sheet

A quick reference for buyers specifying disposable & airlaid napkins, towels and wipes.
Jinman Paper Supplies Co., Ltd - Yiwu, Zhejiang, China - Export & OEM/Private Label

1 - Standard Napkin Sizes

Dinner / Table	16x16 in (40x40 cm) - folded to 8x8 in (20x20 cm). The most common full-service size.
Luncheon	12x12 in (30x30 cm) - cafes, casual dining.
Cocktail / Beverage	5x5 in (12.7x12.7 cm) - drinks, canapes, bathroom trays.
Dispenser	8.5x8.5 in (21.5x21.5 cm) - counter & cafe dispensers.
Guest Towel	40x30 cm (airlaid) - hotels, spas, premium washrooms.

2 - Ply - What It Means

1-ply - a single thin sheet; lowest cost, for dispensers and high-volume use.
2-ply - two laminated layers; the restaurant standard.
3-ply - three layers; premium, fine-dining and wedding settings.

3 - GSM - Paper Weight

Traditional paper	14-22 gsm (2-ply); 18-30 gsm (3-ply). Sweet spot: 16-22 gsm 2-ply.
Airlaid	40-70 gsm; feels like linen, disposable, lint-free.

4 - Fold Types

1/4 fold	Square - most dinner & cocktail napkins.
1/8 fold (book fold)	Rectangle - dispensers, cafes, counter service.
Wallet / pocket fold	Holds cutlery or a menu card; banquet presentation.

5 - Pick the Right Spec by Setting

Fine dining / wedding: 3-ply or airlaid 16x16 in, custom-printed; add 5x5 in cocktail for the bar.
Cafe / casual: 2-ply 12x12 in luncheon + 5x5 in beverage.
Hotel / spa: airlaid 40x30 cm guest towels.
QSR / dispenser: 1/8-fold 2-ply in wall or counter dispensers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ply mean for napkins?: Ply is the number of paper layers laminated together. 1-ply is one thin sheet. 2-ply is the standard for most restaurants. 3-ply is premium.
What GSM is good for paper napkins?: Airlaid runs 40-70 gsm and feels like linen. Traditional 2-ply is usually 16-22 gsm; 3-ply 18-30 gsm.
What is the difference between 1/4 and 1/8 fold?: A 1/4-fold is folded in half twice into a square. A 1/8-fold is a smaller rectangle, common for dispensers.
Are bigger napkins better for restaurants?: Not necessarily. Match size to use - oversized napkins add cost without benefit for beverage service.
Which spec should I choose for a wedding?: 3-ply or airlaid 16x16 in dinner napkins plus 5x5 in cocktail napkins for the bar.

Get a quotation: sales@jinmanpaper.com - WhatsApp +86 189 2756 8684 - MOQ from 5,000 pcs - Samples 5-7 days - Bulk 10-15 days (EXW/FOB).