Commercial paper towels may look like a simple purchase, but the wrong product can increase supply costs, create unnecessary waste and frustrate employees or customers.
Restaurants, offices, schools, healthcare facilities, warehouses and public washrooms all use paper towels differently. A busy commercial kitchen may prioritize absorbency and strength, while a public washroom may need controlled dispensing and a high-capacity roll.
This guide explains the main commercial paper towel formats, how to compare them and what to consider before ordering.
Why Commercial Paper Towel Selection Matters
The lowest-priced case is not always the lowest-cost option.
A paper towel that is too thin may require users to take several sheets at once. A roll that does not fit the existing dispenser may be unusable. A premium towel may provide excellent performance but be unnecessary in a low-traffic employee washroom.
Choosing the right towel can help a facility:
- Reduce paper consumption
- Improve washroom cleanliness
- Refill dispensers less frequently
- Control operating costs
- Improve the customer experience
- Reduce storage and purchasing complexity
The best product depends on where it will be used, how frequently it will be used and which dispenser system is installed.
Main Types of Commercial Paper Towels
Roll Paper Towels
Roll paper towels are commonly used in high-traffic washrooms, commercial kitchens and foodservice operations. They provide a large number of sheets per roll and generally require fewer refills than folded towels.
Common roll formats include:
- Hardwound roll towels
- Centre-pull towels
- Perforated kitchen rolls
- Automatic dispenser rolls
- Manual dispenser rolls
Hardwound roll towels are normally installed in wall-mounted dispensers. Depending on the system, the dispenser may be manual, lever-operated or touchless. Roll towels are usually a good choice for facilities that want high capacity and controlled dispensing.
→ Browse our commercial paper towels collection.
Multifold Paper Towels
Multifold towels are folded so that pulling one sheet helps present the next sheet. They are widely used in offices, restaurants, clinics, schools and commercial washrooms.
Advantages include:
- Easy one-at-a-time dispensing
- Compact storage inside the dispenser
- Familiar user experience
- Suitable for many washroom sizes
However, users may pull multiple towels at once if the dispenser is overfilled or poorly adjusted.
Singlefold Paper Towels
Singlefold towels are individually folded and typically dispensed from a basic wall-mounted unit. They can be economical and easy to restock, but they may provide less dispensing control than interfolded formats. Singlefold towels are often used in workshops, warehouses, industrial facilities, older washroom dispenser systems and low-traffic utility areas.
Centre-Pull Paper Towels
Centre-pull towels are dispensed from the centre of the roll. They are popular in kitchens, food preparation areas, healthcare environments and cleaning stations because users generally touch only the towel they remove.
Centre-pull towels can be useful for wiping counters, drying hands, cleaning small spills, food preparation areas and maintenance carts. Before ordering, verify the roll diameter and dispenser compatibility.
Kitchen Roll Towels
Kitchen roll towels are perforated rolls commonly used for wiping surfaces, absorbing spills and general cleaning. They are suitable for restaurant kitchens, office kitchens, breakrooms, cafeterias, food trucks and catering operations. Commercial kitchen rolls are often packaged in larger case quantities than consumer retail rolls.
One-Ply vs Two-Ply Paper Towels
Ply refers to the number of layers in the towel.
One-Ply
One-ply paper towels are generally more economical, suitable for basic hand drying, common in high-volume facilities and easier to dispense through some systems. A strong one-ply towel can sometimes perform better than a low-quality two-ply towel, so ply should not be the only selection factor.
Two-Ply
Two-ply paper towels are generally softer, more absorbent, more suitable for customer-facing areas and better for heavier spills and cleaning tasks. Two-ply towels may have a higher case price, but users may need fewer sheets per task.
Virgin Fibre vs Recycled Paper Towels
Virgin Fibre Towels
Virgin fibre paper towels are made primarily from new pulp. They are often selected for softness, strength, premium appearance and high absorbency, and may be appropriate for restaurants, offices, hotels and customer-facing washrooms.
Recycled Paper Towels
Recycled towels contain recovered fibre and are commonly used by facilities with environmental purchasing goals. Benefits may include reduced use of virgin fibre, compatibility with sustainability policies, availability in commercial bulk formats and competitive cost. Performance can vary by manufacturer, so evaluate strength, absorbency and dispensing reliability.
How to Check Dispenser Compatibility
Dispenser compatibility is one of the most important factors when purchasing commercial paper towels. Before ordering, check:
- Towel format
- Roll width
- Roll diameter
- Core diameter
- Sheet width
- Dispenser model
- Manual or automatic dispensing mechanism
- Brand-specific system requirements
Using an incompatible roll can cause jamming, poor sheet presentation, excessive dispensing, roll movement, incomplete closing of the dispenser and damage to the dispensing mechanism. When possible, record the dispenser model number before choosing replacement towels.
→ Shop compatible paper towel dispensers.
Consider Traffic Level
Low-Traffic Areas
Small offices, private staff washrooms, small retail stores and meeting rooms. Folded towels or smaller rolls may be sufficient.
Medium-Traffic Areas
Restaurants, clinics, community centres and professional offices. Multifold towels or standard hardwound rolls usually provide a balance of capacity and convenience.
High-Traffic Areas
Schools, factories, shopping centres, large warehouses and transportation facilities. High-capacity roll systems and controlled dispensing are generally more practical.
Cost Per Use vs Cost Per Case
Do not compare paper towels only by case price. A better comparison includes rolls or bundles per case, sheets per roll or bundle, roll length, sheet dimensions, average sheets used per hand dry, labour required for refilling and storage space required. A lower-priced towel may be more expensive in practice if users consume twice as many sheets.
Choosing Paper Towels by Facility Type
Restaurants
Look for strong wet performance, high absorbency, foodservice-friendly dispensing, reliable case supply and options for both washrooms and kitchens. Restaurants often need more than one towel format.
Offices
Look for clean appearance, comfortable hand drying, controlled dispensing, moderate case quantities and easy dispenser refilling.
Healthcare and Clinics
Look for hygienic one-at-a-time dispensing, reliable towel presentation, products compatible with cleaning protocols and minimal contact with unused towels.
Industrial Facilities
Look for strong construction, high-capacity formats, good value per foot, durable dispensers and products suitable for frequent use.
Final Commercial Paper Towel Checklist
Before placing an order, confirm where the towel will be used, expected daily traffic, existing dispenser model, required towel format, ply, fibre type, roll or sheet dimensions, case quantity, storage capacity and cost per use.
Buy Commercial Paper Towels from Price Group
Price Group supplies commercial paper towels, roll towels, folded towels, kitchen rolls and compatible dispenser systems for restaurants, offices, warehouses, institutions and other Canadian businesses. Browse our commercial paper towel selection or contact our team for help identifying a towel that fits your current dispenser.
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