Table Linen — Tablecloths & Napkins for Restaurants, Hotels & Events
A tablecloth that creases badly under service lighting. A napkin that pills after twenty washes and starts to look tired before the evening is over. These are the details that separate a dining experience that feels considered from one that feels corners-cut.
Table linen is not complicated — but the wrong specification costs you more in the long run than buying right first time. This range covers polyester, cotton and damask options for circular and rectangular tables, from individual napkins to full tablecloths in sizes up to 229cm. Trusted by the YMCA, University of Exeter, York College and institutions across the UK.
Browse the range below or call 01204 896528 for restaurant and event trade pricing.
Materials — What Works Where
100% Polyester — 205 GSM Polyester at 205 GSM is the workhorse of the commercial table linen world. It resists creasing — which matters enormously in a restaurant setting where ironing between every service is not realistic. It is colourfast over repeated commercial washing and available in a wide range of solid colours for tables that need to match a specific room scheme. The plain dyed range covers both napkins and round and rectangular tablecloths.
Damask Rose Design — 100% Polyester, 210 GSM The damask weave introduces a subtle pattern into the fabric — visible at an angle, understated head-on. It gives tablecloths and napkins a more formal presentation without the cost or care demands of cotton damask. Popular with restaurants and hotels that want their tables to look dressed rather than covered.
100% Cotton Satin Band — 205 GSM The cotton satin band tablecloth has a plain body with a woven satin border running along the edge. The contrast between the matte cotton and the sheen of the satin band is a simple detail that elevates a table setting without requiring printed design. Cotton's natural absorbency is an advantage for napkins in particular. For the full napkin range, the wholesale napkins page covers cotton and polyester options across multiple GSM weights.
Circular Tablecloths The circular damask rose design tablecloth covers round tables cleanly — an underserved size in most wholesale ranges. Available for both restaurant and event hire use.
GSM and What It Means for Table Linen
205 GSM is the commercial standard for tablecloths and napkins used in hospitality. Heavy enough to drape well and resist showing through. Light enough to launder quickly and dry fast between services. The 210 GSM damask adds marginal weight that improves the drape further — noticeable in wider tablecloths where lighter fabrics can look slack.
Who Buys This Range
Restaurants are the primary buyers — particularly those running multiple services daily where tablecloths and napkins go through the laundry every night and need to come back looking presentable the following morning.
Event and wedding caterers order the circular tablecloths and damask range most consistently — the formal presentation suits banqueting settings where the table appearance is part of the event brief.
Hotels, university catering teams, and institutional buyers use the plain polyester range for its combination of durability and low maintenance. The YMCA and York College shown in our Trusted By section are typical of this buyer.
For larger orders ahead of an event season or annual restock, call 01204 896528 for trade pricing.
Why British Wholesales
Dispatched direct from our Bolton warehouse. Rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 1,100 reviews from restaurants, hotels and event businesses. Free delivery on orders over £40, 14-day returns, no minimum order.
FAQs
What GSM is best for restaurant tablecloths?
205 GSM polyester is the commercial standard — heavy enough to drape well and resist wrinkling, light enough to launder and dry quickly between services. The 210 GSM damask option is worth considering for formal dining settings where a heavier drape improves presentation.
Does polyester table linen crease badly?
No — this is one of polyester's main advantages over cotton for commercial use. At 205 GSM the fabric resists creasing well enough to go from laundry to table without ironing in most settings. Cotton drapes better when perfectly pressed but requires more maintenance to stay looking right through a service.
What sizes are the tablecloths available in?
The range covers standard rectangular sizes up to 229cm and circular options for round tables. Check individual product listings for specific dimensions, or call 01204 896528 to confirm sizing before ordering.
Can I get napkins and tablecloths in matching colours?
Yes. The plain dyed polyester range covers both napkins and tablecloths in the same colour options — making it straightforward to put together a coordinated table setting. Call 01204 896528 to confirm current colour availability.
Do you supply event caterers and wedding venues?
Yes regularly. The circular damask tablecloths and plain dyed napkins are the most popular products for event and wedding catering. No minimum order if you are trialling for a new event format, bulk pricing for seasonal restocks.