Napkins are the cheapest item in the delivery bag and the one customers notice when it is missing. They also carry more of your brand impression than most operators realise: a thin, grey 1-ply says one thing about a restaurant, a soft white 2-ply says another. This guide covers the terminology and the three decisions that matter: size, ply and fold.
Napkin or serviette?
They are the same product. "Serviette" is the traditional British and French term; "napkin" is now the more common word in UK catering and the one most suppliers use for product names. Search for either and you will find the same items. Betapro uses both because customers do; browse napkins & serviettes.
1. Size: 30x30cm vs 40x40cm
| Size (open) | Typical name | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 24–25cm | Cocktail napkin | Drinks, canapés, cake |
| 30x30cm | Lunch napkin, serviette | Takeaways, cafes, fast food, sandwich bars, delivery bags |
| 33x33cm | Lunch napkin | Casual dining, pubs |
| 40x40cm | Dinner napkin | Restaurants, hotels, weddings, events, table settings |
For a takeaway or cafe, 30x30cm is the standard: big enough to be useful, small enough to go in every bag at minimal cost. See Betapro Eco Serviettes 30x30cm. For sit-down service and events, a 40x40cm dinner napkin covers a lap and looks right on a table. See Luxury Napkins 40x40cm, quarter fold.
2. Ply: 1-ply, 2-ply or 3-ply
- 1-ply: a single layer of tissue. Lowest cost, fine for a takeaway bag or dispenser, but it tears when wet.
- 2-ply: two layers bonded together. The standard for restaurants and cafes; absorbent, soft and holds together with greasy food.
- 3-ply: thicker and more cloth-like, used for formal dining and events where the napkin is part of the table setting.
A useful rule: 1-ply where the napkin goes in a bag, 2-ply where it goes on a table, 3-ply where a guest will unfold it and notice.
3. Fold: quarter fold vs eighth fold
Napkins are folded flat for packing. A quarter fold (folded twice into a square) is the standard for table settings and dispensers: it opens quickly and sits neatly under cutlery. An eighth fold (folded three times into a narrow rectangle) packs tighter, fits in a glass or a slim napkin holder, and suits buffet stations and events where staff fold hundreds at a time. Betapro offers both for 40x40cm: quarter fold and eighth fold.
White or coloured?
White is the default for food businesses: it looks clean, matches any branding and is cheapest. Coloured napkins suit events and themed venues but show up every mark. Unbleached kraft-coloured napkins read as eco-friendly and are popular with coffee shops and street food.
How many napkins does a takeaway use?
Plan on one or two napkins per meal in a delivery bag, and more at a dine-in counter where customers help themselves. A takeaway doing 300 orders a week uses roughly 400–600 napkins a week, which is why napkins are sold by the case of many packs rather than by the pack. Dispensers cut consumption by around a third compared with a loose pile on the counter.
Build the complete bag
Napkins are usually ordered with microwave containers and sauce pots. Our takeaway packaging checklist lists everything a new food business needs in its first order, and bulk and pallet pricing is available on the whole range.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common napkin size in the UK? 33x33cm and 30x30cm lunch napkins are the most common in cafes and takeaways; 40x40cm is the standard dinner napkin.
Are paper napkins compostable? Plain, unprinted tissue napkins are usually compostable and can go into food waste where the collector accepts them; check with your waste contractor.
Can you buy napkins in bulk without an account? Yes. Betapro sells by the case to any business with no trade account or minimum order; see napkins & serviettes.