5 Factors In Selecting Wholesale Table Linen For Your Restaurant or Event
When purchasing wholesale table linens for your restaurant, event space, or catering business, it’s essential to choose the right materials, sizes, and styles to meet both functional and aesthetic needs. Whether you’re deciding between cotton and polyester or determining the correct tablecloth size for various tables, the key is to balance durability, ease of care, and the right look for your setting. In this guide, we’ll explore the most important factors to consider when selecting wholesale table linens, helping you make informed choices for any occasion.
Fiber Content of Wholesale Table Linens
Fiber is the raw material that textiles are made from. In general, the different types of fiber fall into two categories: natural and synthetic. Wholesale table linens are nearly always made of cotton (a natural fiber), polyester (a synthetic), or a blend of the two.
Cotton’s desirable characteristics include a softer “hand” or feel, which in customers’ minds equates with higher quality, plus superior absorbency and breathability. On the downside, cotton is more susceptible to wear-and-tear, wrinkling, fading, and staining.
Polyester provides increased durability in the high frequency and stresses of commercial laundering, as well as wrinkle-resistance and color-fastness. Bear in mind, too, that huge advancements in polyester technology have been made over the past 20 years, with softer, spun polyester replacing the earlier filament yarns. Today’s tablecloth is not your father’s leisure suit.
Blends of cotton and polyester give you the best of both worlds: softness and strength. It is also possible to choose components that match visually but have different fiber content, for example, 100% polyester tablecloths and polyester/cotton napkins. This would give customers that quality feel in the item that most often touches their face and hands, and longer life in the item that’s more expensive to replace.
But, before you make a decision on fiber content of your bulk table linens, you must know the answers to our second determining factor.
Laundering Capabilities For Wholesale Table Linens
Where will your wholesale table linens be laundered, who will be doing it, and how much control will you have over the process? There are three possibilities:
- OPL – on-premise laundry or in-house laundry
- Third Party Laundry – outside party laundering your goods
- Rent – outside party renting you their goods
To launder your wholesale table linens in-house, you must have the right equipment and trained staff. This is especially true if your bulk table linens contain any cotton, which is prone to wrinkling. They need to be taken out of the washer and dried or ironed as soon as possible.
Dryer-to-immediate hand-folding can yield acceptable results; but all products, whether all polyester, all cotton, or a blend, will look their best when processed through a commercial-grade ironer. Proper maintenance and settings are necessary on these ironers to yield the best results. Some smaller operations may have a hand press for wholesale napkins, it would be very tedious to use for large tablecloths.
If you count on an outside laundry service for your wholesale table linens, make sure they can handle the fiber content you have in mind. We’ve actually seen hospitality businesses buy a product and then have no luck in finding a laundry to process them.
Laundries that wash their customers’ goods are called COG (Customer Owned Goods) or NOG (Not Our Goods). For inventory control and quality purposes, you should arrange for your wholesale table linens to be “batch washed” separately from other customers’ goods.
Table linen rental companies will deliver products from a pool of standard core items which they launder all together. There is nothing wrong with this, as they are maintaining the same level of quality control that you would expect from the other options. Their most common offering is 100% polyester, because of its durability and greater return on their investment.
Is Cotton or Polyester Better For Wholesale Tablecloths?
The choice between cotton and polyester for tablecloths depends on your specific needs. Cotton tablecloths offer a soft, natural feel and a more elegant appearance, making them ideal for formal settings, but they tend to wrinkle easily and require more care, such as ironing and delicate washing. On the other hand, polyester tablecloths are more durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, which makes them perfect for everyday use, particularly in busy environments like restaurants or casual events. If you need low maintenance and durability, polyester is typically the better choice, while cotton is preferred for its luxurious, upscale look.
Sizes of Wholesale Table Linen
Another money-saving option to investigate is the new standard sizes that negate the need for skirting, such as 90″x132″ or 90″x156″. You’ll save money upfront in purchasing, as well as down the line in processing (especially since skirts typically need to be dry-cleaned).
Still not sure what tablecloth is the right size for your tables, use our cheat sheet.
How big of a tablecloth do I need for a 72 table?
For a 72-inch round table, the size of the tablecloth depends on the desired drop, or how far you want the cloth to hang over the edge of the table.
- For a standard drop (about 15 inches), you would need a 108-inch round tablecloth.
- For a floor-length drop (about 30 inches), a 132-inch round tablecloth would be the right choice.
If you have a 72-inch rectangular table, measure the width and length and then add twice the desired drop to both dimensions to find the ideal tablecloth size.
How do I choose the right size tablecloths for different tables?
To choose the right size tablecloth for different tables, start by measuring the length, width, or diameter of your table. Then decide on the desired drop, which is how much you want the tablecloth to hang over the edges. For casual settings, a 6-12 inch drop is common, while a 15-inch drop is preferred for more formal occasions. For floor-length coverage, opt for a 30-inch drop.
To calculate the tablecloth size:
- For rectangular and square tables: Add twice the desired drop to both the length and width.
- For round tables: Add twice the desired drop to the table’s diameter.
Are you curious to know how these sizes are calculated? Feel free to use our formula for a drop length
Curious about how tablecloth sizes are calculated? You can easily determine the right size using our simple drop length formula!
What Are The Best Materials For Restaurant Tablecloths?
Restaurant tablecloths are typically made from materials that balance durability, appearance, and ease of maintenance. The most common materials include polyester, known for its stain resistance, wrinkle-free quality, and durability, making it perfect for high-traffic environments. Many restaurants also use cotton or cotton-polyester blends for a softer, more upscale look while still benefiting from polyester’s easy care properties. In more luxurious or formal settings, restaurants might opt for high-quality spun polyester, which mimics the feel of cotton but retains the practical benefits of polyester.
What Are The Different Types of Linens Used In F&B Industry?
In the F&B industry, a variety of wholesale table linens are used to enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of dining spaces. The most common types include tablecloths, which cover tables and provide a clean, polished look; napkins, used by guests during meals for cleanliness and etiquette; and table runners, which add a decorative layer over tablecloths or are used alone for a more casual setting. Additionally, chair covers and skirting are often used for special events or formal dining to elevate the overall presentation. Each type of linen serves a practical purpose while contributing to the ambiance and guest experience.
Wholesale Table Linens and Guest Experience
Colors of Wholesale Table Linen
The widest color selection is available in Premier 100% spun polyester restaurant table linen collection. This material is jet-dyed under high temperatures and pressure for the maximum depth of color and resistance to fading. Cotton is offered in fewer color options than spun polyester, but in more yarn-dyed options and patterns like Pique, MicroCheck and MiniCheck. Blended cotton and polyester napery allows more color options than cotton, but less than our New Window Premier spun polyester seen below.
Table of Contents
Join the 1C Family as your Trusted Luxury Linen Provider
Featured Products
Choose from 14 Luxury Hotel Towel and Pool Towel Collections. We offer 100% Cotton, Cotton-Polyester blend, Pima, and Bamboo. From quick-drying absorbent towels to intricate borders and weaves, we have the right towel collection for you!
We offer a wide selection of luxury hotel sheets, bedding, blankets, and pillows in various qualities to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for premium cotton sheets, soft and durable blankets, or plush pillows, we have options that ensure both comfort and elegance for your guests.
Our premium bathrobes can be found and many luxury hotels and spas, adding a touch of elegance and comfort to your guest experience. We also offer a range of guest room amenities.
Riegel Linen by 1Concier has been offering premium table linens to luxury hotels and restaurants since 1838. Our high-quality collection adds sophistication and elegance to any dining setting.
Featured Products
