Linen Napkins

This collection spans seven fabric types, polyester, lamour satin, satin, velvet, taffeta, cheesecloth, and scuba, each suited to a different look and level of care. Most styles are available in a 20"x20" square, with select fabrics also offered in a smaller 17"x17" size. The right choice usually comes down to two questions: how much sheen or texture the table needs, and how much washing and ironing the napkins will realistically get between events.

Quick facts:

• Fabrics in this collection: Polyester, lamour satin, satin, velvet, taffeta, cheesecloth, and scuba
• Standard size: 20" x 20" square (most fabrics); 17" x 17" also available in select colors
• Edge finish: Hemmed, to prevent fraying
• Easiest care: Polyester, machine washable and wrinkle-resistant
• More delicate care: Velvet and taffeta, which may need light steaming rather than machine washing
• Shop Linen Napkins by Fabric

Polyester Napkins

Polyester is the most durable fabric in this collection and the easiest to maintain. It's wrinkle-resistant, holds its shape through folding, and stands up to repeated commercial washing without losing color, which is why it's the standard choice for high-volume rental use. Polyester napkins in this collection are available in a 20"x20" size across a wide color range, and in a 17"x17" size in White, Black, and Dusty Blue.

Lamour Satin Napkins

Lamour satin has a softer, more muted sheen than standard satin, with a slightly thicker hand-feel. It reads as more formal than polyester without the higher shine of true satin, which makes it a common pick for receptions and styled photo shoots where a soft glow under lighting matters more than a mirror-like finish.

Satin Napkins

Standard satin has a brighter, glossier surface than lamour satin. It catches light more directly, which suits weddings and formal dinners built around candlelight or metallic accents, but it also shows wrinkles and creasing more readily than polyester.

Velvet Napkins

Velvet adds texture and visual depth rather than shine. Within this collection, crinkle velvet has a textured, naturally rumpled finish that adds movement to the fabric, while glitter velvet combines the same soft texture with a light shimmer. Velvet is heavier than the other fabrics here and is generally better suited to fall, winter, or evening events than to bright daytime settings.

Accordion Taffeta Napkins

Taffeta has a crisp, structured hand-feel that holds a fold sharply, which makes it a strong choice for clean, tailored table designs where precise folding (like a pointed fan or standing fold) is part of the look.

Cheesecloth Napkins

Cheesecloth is lightweight and loosely woven, giving it a soft, airy, slightly undone look. It's a fit for rustic, boho, or outdoor-themed tables rather than formal settings, and it drapes and folds more loosely than the structured fabrics in this collection.

French Toile Napkins

French Toile napkins are made of 100% polyester printed with the classic repeated scenic or floral pattern associated with traditional French toile fabric, rather than being a solid color. They're sold in packs of 5, machine washable and dryable, and finished with the same hemmed edge as the rest of the collection.

Scuba Napkins

Scuba fabric is smooth and has a slight stretch, giving it a clean, polished look with minimal visible texture. It sits between polyester and satin in terms of formality, offering a tidy, modern finish without heavy shine.

Napkin Sizes and Fit

The 20"x20" square is the standard size across most fabrics in this collection and gives enough fabric for detailed folds, such as fans, pockets, or standing designs, without overwhelming a place setting. The 17"x17" size, available in select polyester colors, is a more compact option that works well for buffet-style setups or smaller place settings where a full 20" square would crowd the table. 

If your event relies on a specific decorative fold, confirm the size needed for that fold before ordering in bulk, since more elaborate folds generally need the larger 20" square.

New Arrivals and Most Popular Styles

If you're not sure where to start, two parts of this collection are worth checking first. The New Arrival Napkins collection shows the newest colors and fabric additions as they're added, which is useful if you're trying to stay ahead of current color trends. The Most Popular Linen Napkins collection narrows the full range down to the polyester, satin, velvet, and lamour styles that customers order most often, which is a practical starting point if you'd rather shop a shorter, pre-filtered list than browse every fabric individually.

How to Care for Different Napkin Fabrics

Care requirements vary meaningfully by fabric, so treating every napkin the same way can shorten its usable life:

• Polyester: Machine washable, wrinkle-resistant, and colorfast. Wash in warm water with a moderate detergent to keep colors from dulling over repeated use.
• Satin and lamour satin: More prone to wrinkling than polyester. Both hold color well but benefit from gentler washing and, in many cases, light ironing or steaming to keep the surface smooth.
• Velvet and taffeta: Generally not suited to regular machine washing. Light steaming is typically recommended instead, since machine washing can flatten velvet's texture or affect taffeta's crispness.
• Cheesecloth and scuba: Lower-maintenance than satin or velvet, though cheesecloth's loose weave means it should be handled gently to avoid snagging.

How to Style Linen Napkins

Ways to work napkins into a complete table setting:

• Fold the napkin and tuck it into a charger plate rather than laying it flat, which adds height and keeps the fold visible even after the dinner plate is placed
• Match the napkin fabric's formality to your tablecloth; pair satin or lamour satin napkins with a matching satin or polyester tablecloth, or use cheesecloth napkins over a more textured base like burlap or crinkle taffeta for a consistent rustic look
• Echo an accent color from your centerpiece, such as a ribbon or floral tone, in the napkin color so the eye connects the place setting to the table's focal point
• Reserve heavier fabrics like velvet for a smaller number of accent tables (such as a sweetheart table) if budget or laundering time doesn't allow for velvet across every table

Choosing Napkins for Your Event Type

A few fabric pairings based on event type:

• Weddings and formal receptions: Satin or lamour satin in white, ivory, or a soft neutral, paired with a matching charger plate
• Corporate events and banquets: Polyester in black, navy, or another solid, professional tone that can be laundered and reused repeatedly without special handling
• Fall and winter events: Velvet, either solid or in the glitter velvet finish, for added texture and warmth under evening lighting
• Rustic, outdoor, or boho events: Cheesecloth or a textured polyester color, layered over a simpler tablecloth rather than a high-shine fabric

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between satin and lamour satin napkins?

Standard satin has a brighter, more reflective shine, while lamour satin has a softer, more muted sheen and a slightly thicker feel. Lamour satin tends to look less formal in direct light and more like a matte finish overall.

Which napkin fabric is easiest to maintain for repeated events?

Polyester. It's machine washable, wrinkle-resistant, and colorfast, which makes it the most practical option for venues, caterers, and rental businesses that need to reuse the same napkins across many events.

Can velvet napkins be machine washed?

Generally, no. Velvet is better cared for with light steaming rather than machine washing, since washing can flatten the pile and change the texture that makes velvet distinct.

What size napkin should I order for a formal decorative fold?

The 20"x20" size gives enough fabric for detailed folds like fans, pockets, or standing designs. The smaller 17"x17" size is better suited to simpler folds or more compact place settings.

Do all the fabrics in this collection come in the same colors?

No. Color availability varies by fabric. For example, the 17"x17" polyester size is currently offered in White, Black, and Dusty Blue, while the 20"x20" polyester size and other fabrics like satin, lamour satin, and velvet are available in a wider range of colors. Check each fabric's page for its current color options.

Where should I start if I don't want to compare every fabric individually?

The Most Popular Linen Napkins collection narrows the options down to the polyester, satin, velvet, and lamour satin styles that are ordered most frequently, which is a faster starting point than browsing all seven fabric types.