Wholesale Napkins — Cotton, Polyester & Linen Bulk Napkins
Paper napkins cost less per unit. They also tell a guest exactly what the establishment thinks of them. A cloth napkin on a table is a small signal — this place has standards — and it lands before the food arrives.
The economics are straightforward too. A cotton napkin at 50p ex VAT washed fifty times costs a fraction per use compared to paper. The cost-per-service argument for cloth is not even close.
This range covers polyester plain, 100% cotton, 200TC cotton, and damask satin band napkins — from 50p per napkin at bulk pricing, with no minimum order if you are just starting out. Browse the range or call 01204 896528 for restaurant and event trade pricing.
The Napkin Range
100% Polyester Plain — 22x22" (55x55cm) The straightforward choice for high-volume restaurant and hotel use. Polyester at this weight resists staining better than cotton, dries faster after laundering, and does not require ironing to look presentable. The plain white is the most ordered — works on any table, with any service style. Available in white.
200 GSM 100% Cotton Napkins Cotton napkins have a different hand feel to polyester — slightly softer, with more natural drape when folded. At 200 GSM the weight is right for a napkin that holds a fold cleanly without being stiff. Popular with restaurants that want the feel of a natural fibre without the cost of linen.
200TC 100% Cotton Napkins Thread count matters for napkins where the texture against skin is part of the table experience. The 200TC cotton napkin has a noticeably smoother surface than standard cotton — suited to dining settings where the detail matters.
Damask Satin Band — 100% Cotton (Clearance) The damask satin band napkin has a woven border detail along the edge — a simple visual finish that elevates a table setting. Available in the clearance range, which means the price is reduced but the quality is identical.
For coordinating tablecloths in matching materials, the full table linen range covers polyester and cotton options in multiple sizes.
Linen Napkins Bulk — The Question We Get Asked Most
People searching for "linen napkins bulk" are often actually looking for cloth napkins in bulk — cotton or polyester rather than true linen fabric. True linen napkins are expensive to produce and rare at wholesale prices. The cotton options in this range — particularly the 200TC cotton — give the texture and drape that most buyers associate with linen napkins at a fraction of the price.
If you specifically need true linen fabric, call 01204 896528 and we will advise on what is currently available.
Who Buys Napkins Here
Restaurants are the biggest buyers — particularly independents moving away from paper napkins for the first time and wanting to understand the quantities and costs involved before committing. The no minimum order is genuinely useful here — order fifty to trial, understand your wash cycle and restock frequency, then order in volume.
Event caterers order the polyester range most frequently — colourfast, crease-resistant, and easy to manage at the volumes an event operation requires. Wedding venues and banqueting spaces lean toward the cotton and damask options where presentation is part of the brief.
For regular large orders, call 01204 896528 to discuss trade account pricing.
Why British Wholesales
Dispatched direct from Bolton. Rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 1,100 reviews. Free delivery on orders over £40, 14-day returns. Already trusted by the YMCA, University of Exeter and York College for bulk napkin supply.
FAQs
What is the difference between polyester and cotton napkins for restaurant use?
Polyester resists staining better and dries faster — practical advantages for high-volume services. Cotton has a softer feel and better natural drape. For fine dining where the napkin is part of the experience, cotton. For casual dining where practical maintenance matters most, polyester.
How many napkins do I need for a restaurant?
A working guide is three sets per table cover — one in use, one in the laundry, one clean and ready. For a 30-cover restaurant, that is around 90 napkins as a starting stock. Add more if your laundry turnaround is slower than 24 hours.
What size are the napkins?
The polyester plain napkins are 22x22" (55x55cm) — the standard restaurant size. Check individual listings for other options or call 01204 896528 to confirm sizing.
Are these napkins machine washable at commercial temperatures?
Yes. The polyester and cotton options are designed for commercial laundering. The polyester range in particular handles high-temperature washing without significant colour fading or shrinkage.
Do you supply napkins for events and weddings?
Yes — event caterers and wedding venues are among our regular buyers. No minimum order for trialling, bulk pricing for seasonal orders. Call 01204 896528 for event trade pricing.