close
Choose Your Site
Global
Social Media
Napkin converting turns a parent roll into folded, embossed serviettes and dinner napkins, so the paper must fold cleanly and hold an embossed pattern. The short answer: use a 16–22 GSM tissue parent roll, typically 1–2 ply, on a 76 mm (3 inch) core, with width matched to the napkin-fold lanes. HUAXIN supplies 100% wood pulp napkin parent rolls in slit widths from 200 to 2850 mm and diameters up to 1150 mm, for beverage, lunch and dinner napkin formats. This page lists the specs, GSM and ply choices and machine checks for a napkin RFQ.
Napkin converting unwinds the parent roll, embosses it, prints where required, then folds and cuts to the finished format — from 1/4-fold beverage napkins to large dinner napkins. The parent roll needs enough stiffness to hold a crisp fold and enough absorbency for spills, while embossing must reproduce sharply. The versatile applications of napkin mother rolls shows how napkin mother rolls are used, and the top tips for sourcing napkin parent rolls covers sourcing quality.
| Parent roll specification | HUAXIN range / typical value |
|---|---|
| Basis weight (GSM) | 16–22 GSM for napkins; full mill range 11–42 GSM |
| Ply | 1–2 ply; 2-ply for premium dinner napkins |
| Slit width | 200–2850 mm, full width or pre-slit |
| Reel diameter | Up to 1150 mm |
| Core inner diameter | 76 mm (3 inch) standard |
| Furnish | 100% wood pulp; mixed or recycled for economy grades |
| Typical reel weight | Commonly around 500 kg per export reel |
Napkins span a wider GSM band because formats differ so much: a small beverage napkin is light, while a dinner napkin needs weight and a firm fold.
| Finished product | Typical basis weight (GSM) | Common ply | Performance focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage / cocktail napkins | 16–18 GSM | 1–2 ply | Crisp fold, economical |
| Lunch / luncheon napkins | 18–20 GSM | 2-ply | Absorbency and embossing |
| Dinner napkins | 20–22 GSM | 2-ply | Firm fold, premium feel |
Every HUAXIN parent roll is produced under an ISO 9001 quality system and an FSC-aligned chain of custody. Tissue properties are measured against the ISO 12625 series (parts 3–8 cover thickness, tensile strength, wet strength, tearing resistance and other tissue properties), moisture is checked to ISO 287 and pH to ISO 6588-1. Samples are conditioned at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity before testing; reels are supplied at a controlled 4–7% moisture, and basis-weight tolerance is held to roughly ±3% across a full container and ±5% on a single sample. For napkins, embossing definition, fold stiffness and absorbency are the properties most often written into hospitality and private-label specs.
Q: What GSM is best for napkins?
A: Beverage napkins run at 16–18 GSM, lunch napkins at 18–20 GSM and dinner napkins at 20–22 GSM. Heavier GSM gives a firmer fold and more absorbency.
Q: Are napkins 1-ply or 2-ply?
A: Economy beverage napkins are often 1-ply, while lunch and dinner napkins are usually 2-ply for a softer, more absorbent feel.
Q: Does the parent roll affect embossing quality?
A: Yes. Stable basis weight, moisture and stiffness let the embossing pattern reproduce sharply without tearing or weak spots.
Q: Can I print custom designs on napkins made from these rolls?
A: The parent roll supports print conversion; custom print and embossing are handled on the napkin line, and HUAXIN supplies grades suited to printed hospitality and branded napkins.
Q: What is the MOQ for napkin parent rolls?
A: Orders are typically by full container, around 12–13 tonnes; exact minimums and lead times are confirmed per grade. The first-time buyer guide has the details.
Related reading: napkin sourcing tips, reel sizes and core size and container loading and weight. Send us your target grade, width, GSM and tonnage — the team at HUAXIN will reply with a current price, a loading plan and a lead time. See the napkin mother roll line for the full product line, or contact HUAXIN directly. First-time buyers can also review the MOQ, lead time, samples and payment guide.
