Kraft vs White Napkins for Cafés: Styles, Ply and Price

For most Sydney cafés, white napkins suit dine-in tables and a clean, bright look, while kraft napkins suit takeaway counters and venues with a natural, brown-paper style. On price per napkin the two are very close: the Kraft Napkins – 1ply Lunch Qtr Fold (Carton of 3000) and the Napkins – White 1ply Lunch Qtr Fold (Carton of 3000) are both $23.88 per carton, or $0.008 each.

Key takeaways

• Kraft and white napkins in the same style and fold are priced almost the same, so choose on look and service style, not cost.
• Quilted napkins feel more substantial in the hand; 1 ply quarter-fold napkins are the economy option for counters and takeaway bags.
• Dispenser napkins are the least expensive napkins in this range, at $0.008 each for the 1/6 fold dispenser cartons.
• Every napkin in the range below can be custom printed with your logo.

Do kraft and white napkins cost different amounts?

Barely. Matching styles sit within cents of each other per carton, and the per-napkin price is the same.

The Kraft Napkins – Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) is $50.77 per carton and the Napkins – White Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) is $51.68 per carton; both work out at $0.03 each. At cocktail size, the Kraft Napkins – Quilted Cocktail Qtr Fold (Carton of 2000) is $30.77 per carton ($0.02 each) and the Napkins – White Quilted Cocktail Qtr Fold (Carton of 2000) is $29.86 per carton ($0.01 each). So the colour decision is really about how your café wants to look and how napkins are handed out.

All of these are paper napkins, sold by the carton, and each product page shows the carton price and the price per item.

How do kraft and white napkins look on the table?

Kraft napkins have the plain brown-paper look that matches kraft bags, kraft cup sleeves and brown takeaway boxes. White napkins look crisp and neutral, and they sit well next to white ceramic, timber tables or coloured branding.

A simple rule: match the napkin to the packaging the customer already sees. If your takeaway bags and boxes are brown, kraft napkins make the whole order look like one set. If you plate food on white crockery for dine-in, white napkins keep the table looking clean. A white napkin also shows a printed logo in strong contrast, while a printed kraft napkin gives a softer, more rustic result.

What do ply, quilted and the fold names mean?

Ply is the number of paper layers, and quilted napkins have an embossed pattern that makes them feel thicker and softer. The fold tells you how the napkin is presented when it comes out of the carton.

• 1 ply Qtr Fold (quarter fold): a single layer folded into a square. The lunch-size kraft and white versions are 300x300mm and come in cartons of 3000. Good for grab-from-the-counter use.
• Quilted GT Fold: an embossed napkin with a fold suited to table settings. The lunch-size kraft and white versions are 300x300mm in cartons of 2000.
• Cocktail Qtr Fold: a smaller 230x230mm napkin for drinks, cakes and pastries.
• Dispenser 1/6 Fold: folded to load into a napkin dispenser, so customers take one at a time.
• Dinner 1/8 GT Fold: a larger 400x400mm 2 ply napkin for plated meals and catering.

If you want a white 2 ply napkin at lunch size, there is also the Napkins – White 2ply Lunch Qtr Fold (Carton of 2000) at $34.36 per carton, or $0.02 each.

Which napkin suits which kind of service?

Counter service and takeaway suit 1 ply quarter-fold or dispenser napkins, because they are handed out in larger numbers. Table service and plated meals suit quilted lunch or dinner napkins, because customers use them for the whole meal.

For a busy coffee counter, a dispenser keeps napkins tidy and hands them out one at a time. The Napkins – Recycled 1ply Dispenser 1/6 Fold (Carton of 5000) is brown, close to the kraft look, and the Napkins – White 1ply Dispenser 1/6 Fold (Carton of 5000) is the white equivalent; both are $0.006 each. For brunch and lunch plates, a quilted lunch napkin in either colour gives a better feel at the table. For a cake cabinet or drinks, cocktail size is enough.

Which one should I buy?

Pick by venue and service style:

• Takeaway-focused café with brown packaging: Kraft Napkins – 1ply Lunch Qtr Fold (Carton of 3000) at $0.008 each, so the napkin matches the bag.
• Dine-in café with white crockery: Napkins – White Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) at $0.03 each for a softer napkin on the plate.
• Café with a natural, rustic fit-out and table service: Kraft Napkins – Quilted Lunch GT Fold (Carton of 2000) at $0.03 each.
• High-volume counter with a dispenser: Napkins – Recycled 1ply Dispenser 1/6 Fold (Carton of 5000) for a brown look, or the white dispenser version, both at $0.006 each.
• Coffee and cake, or a bar area: Kraft Napkins – Quilted Cocktail Qtr Fold (Carton of 2000) or the white quilted cocktail napkin, both at $0.02 each.
• Catering and plated dinners: Napkins – White 2 ply Quilted Dinner 1/8 GT Fold (Carton of 1000) at $0.03 each.

Many cafés keep two napkins: an economy 1 ply or dispenser napkin at the counter and a quilted napkin for table service. For more on buying in volume, see our guide to bulk napkins, and for an overview of paper napkin types, read paper napkins. You can also browse the full napkins range.

Can I get kraft or white napkins printed with my logo?

Yes. Custom printing with your logo is available on selected products, and every napkin listed in this guide is marked as available for custom print. See custom print for details.

Ordering napkins

There is no minimum order, so you can order a single carton to try a style. Delivery is a flat fee set by your postcode, and free once an order passes a set amount; checkout shows the exact cost, and today's rates are on the shipping page. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities, 4–6 business days regional. All orders are prepaid online. Damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free; unopened stock cartons can be returned within 7 days of delivery (10% restocking fee, return delivery at your cost). If you know the products you want, use quick order to add several cartons at once.

Setting up or restocking your packaging?

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No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · damaged items replaced free · Delivery details