Restaurant Tablecloth Guide
Tablecloths are a fine dining staple, but they also make appearances in more casual eateries, where laminated fabric and vinyl options are a common choice. From reducing background noise to providing visual ambience in dining rooms, there are many reasons operators choose to purchase restaurant tablecloths. Below are some factors to help you decide which tablecloth will work best for your business.
Material
One of the first considerations to make when shopping for tablecloths should be your desired material, which is largely dictated by the kind of restaurant for which you are purchasing the tablecloths. Fine dining establishments typically use absorbent fabric tablecloths, which can help protect customers by absorbing spills before they reach the edge of the table and drip onto laps. Casual eateries usually prefer tablecloths that can be easily wiped clean so that they do not need to be changed with each turn of the table.
Microfiber
Used in: fine dining
Microfiber is a wrinkle-resistant option that is appealing to many operators due to the lack of ironing needed. This fabric is spill-resistant, meaning that liquids will simply bead up on most microfiber tablecloths. While this fabric can't protect customers by absorbing spills, it can often be used for multiple table turns without being changed. Microfiber can be machine washed and tumble dried.
Polyester
Used in: fine dining
Some polyester tablecloths have a sheen; whether that appearance fits into your dining room is a matter of preference. Polyester will absorb liquids and require spot cleaning to help prevent stains. It is machine washable and can be tumble dried, and while it does not wrinkle as easily as cotton, it will require some ironing.
Cotton
Used in: fine dining
Cotton tablecloths are a bit high-maintenance, but their durability makes them a common choice in restaurants. Cotton is the most absorbent of the tablecloth options, and as such will often require spot cleaning. While you can machine wash and tumble dry your cotton tablecloths, they wrinkle easily, so they will need to be ironed and stored carefully.
Laminated Fabric
Used in: casual dining
Laminated fabric tablecloths are often chosen for mom-and-pop, low-key, and retro restaurants. While the tablecloths in fine dining restaurants are usually solid colors, laminated fabrics are often colorful and patterned. Because the cloth is laminated with a waterproof layer, it can simply be wiped clean, rather than laundered after each use.
Vinyl
Used in: casual dining
Vinyl tablecloths are often available in a blue, green, or red checkered pattern. These can simply be wiped clean, rather than being laundered, making them simple to maintain. Most commercial vinyl tablecloths have flannel backings to prevent them from slipping. This type of tablecloth is available in pre-cut shapes and on rolls that enable users to create custom sizes.
Size
To determine the tablecloth sizes you need, you need to know the size of your tables and how much you want the cloths to hang over the sides, a measure called "drop." Casual restaurants usually go with a drop of 8 inches, while more formal settings may have drops of 10 or 12 inches. Banquet facilities often go for the longest option, where the tablecloth touches the floor. On a standard-height table, that will be a 30-inch drop.
Tablecloths are available in circular, square, and rectangular shapes in a variety of sizes. To figure out the size tablecloth you need, multiply the length of the drop by two and add it to the width of the table. The table below provides the tablecloth sizes for standard tables with 8-, 10-, or 12-inch drops.
| Table Size | 8-in. Drop | 10-in. Drop | 12-in. Drop | 30-in. Drop (To Floor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-in. Round | 40 in. | 44 in. | 48 in. | 84 in. |
| 30-in. Round | 46 in. | 50 in. | 54 in. | 90 in. |
| 36-in. Round | 52 in. | 56 in. | 60 in. | 96 in. |
| 48-in. Round | 64 in. | 68 in. | 72 in. | 108 in. |
| 54 in. Round | 70 in. | 74 in. | 78 in. | 114 in. |
| 30 in. Square | 46 in. | 50 in. | 54 in. | 90 in. |
| 36 in. Square | 52 in. | 56 in. | 60 in. | 96 in. |
| 40 in. Square | 56 in. | 60 in. | 64 in. | 100 in. |
| 24 in. x 30 in. | 40 in. x 46 in. | 44 in. x 50 in. | 48 in. x 54 in. | 84 in. x 90 in. |
| 30 in. x 42 in. | 46 in. x 58 in. | 50 in. x 62 in. | 54 in. x 66 in. | 90 in. x 102 in. |
| 30 in. x 48 in. | 46 in. x 64 in. | 50 in. x 68 in. | 54 in. x 72 in. | 90 in. x 108 in. |
| 30 in. x 60 in. | 46 in. x 76 in. | 50 in. x 80 in. | 54 in. x 84 in. | 90 in. x 120 in. |
| 30 in. x 72 in. | 46 in. x 88 in. | 50 in. x 92 in. | 54 in. x 96 in. | 90 in. x 132 in. |
Color and Texture
While white is certainly the most common restaurant tablecloth color choice for fine dining, there are other options to consider, including solid-color tablecloths available in every color of the rainbow. Patterns are much more common on laminated fabric and vinyl tablecloths, but damask fabric can allow some pattern and texture in the polyester tablecloths of more formal settings.
Another method for adding color and texture to your tabletops is layering. Layering a smaller tablecloth over the main one allows you to add a contrasting color. In some cases, cloths with a different shape than the table are used to create further contrast. This is especially common at banquets and private events like weddings.