There are a lot of tablecloths on the market in all different shapes, sizes, and colors and fabrics. While shopping around you may come across a variety of terms like polyester, satin, and organza, but what are these fabrics and how do they translate to the tablecloths you use for your event? How do you know which type of cloth is best for you? This guide aims to answer these questions, letting you know what each fabric is made of, what it looks like, and how it performs as a table linen.

Polyester

Polyester may not be the fanciest of fabrics, but it is by far the most popular. Polyester tablecloths with their synthetic fibers are incredibly durable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to clean. Polyester also holds color very well, allowing it to be available in a wide array of vibrant colors that are resistant to fading and staining. Because polyester tablecloths are relatively inexpensive to produce and have amazing longevity, they are one of the most budget-friendly options. Additionally, they are extremely versatile, suitable for use in everything from weddings to birthday parties to charity functions.

Cotton

Cotton is another popular fabric type with great versatility. These tablecloths are tightly woven from short, fine cotton fibers, giving them a softer and heavier feel than polyester cloths. Thanks to their tight weave, cotton cloths are also very absorbent, helping to contain moisture in the case of spills. Cotton also retains color well, making them another good choice for a variety of bright colors, though they tend to be slightly subdued in comparison to their polyester counterparts. Unlike polyester, cotton cloths are more susceptible to stains, wrinkles, and shrinkage, so the additional care needs add to their overall cost.

Polycotton Blends

Polycotton blends (like our CottonEze cloths) combine the durability of polyester with the soft feel of cotton to give you the best of both worlds. These tablecloths have the heavier weight and absorbency of a cotton cloth, while also maintaining a stain, fade, and wrinkle resistance closer to that of polyester. Polycotton blends are also a middle ground between the affordability of polyester and the higher care costs of cotton.

Satin

Satin tablecloths are one of the most popular choices for formal events, and for good reason. Satin cloth can be made from differing blends of fibers, but its specific satin weave pattern is what gives it its soft, shiny, look and smooth, silklike texture. This luxurious cloth drapes beautifully, and its mildly reflective surface is stunningly eye-catching. Satin tablecloths come in two varieties: regular and matte. Regular satin (like our poly satin cloths) has a lustrous high-gloss finish that enhances colors, making them feel brighter and more vibrant. On the other hand, matte satin has a soft low-sheen finish that makes colors appear deeper and more velvety. In overall feel, regular satin seems more glamorous, while matte satin seems more sophisticated.

Silk

Silk is a luxurious, elegant, and delicate cloth spun from silkworm cocoon fibers. This fabric is known for its natural sheen, smooth glossy texture, and breathability. Silk is soft and lightweight, making it the perfect choice for an airy, flowy drape. While real silk is very expensive and requires delicate dry-cleaning practices, artificial silks are both more durable and more affordable. Rayon is perhaps the most common artificial silk. It is considered a semi-synthetic fabric as it is constructed of natural materials like bamboo or wood pulp that are put through a chemical process to convert them into a fine workable thread that closely resembles real silk. Rayon fabrics allow you to have the look and feel of silk without the high price point, and they are available in all the common silk weaves like dupioni and shantung.

Organza

Organza is an airy, sheer fabric that is made of loosely woven polyester fibers. Overlays, runners, and sashes made of this fabric are favorite accent pieces to wedding table settings due to their delicate and flowy nature, and their slightly shimmery finish is an elegant way to add a touch of texture to a tablescape. Because of its transparency, organza looks best when paired with an opaque fabric as opposed to standing on its own. The loose weave of this fabric also makes it prone to snags and rips, so it must be handled and laundered with care.

Velvet

Velvet is a heavy, plush fabric that is soft, luxurious, and regal. Unlike most fabrics, velvet is constructed from two sets of threads. One set is tightly woven to create a strong and stable base to the fabric, and the other is woven in densely packed piles that are then evenly cut to create that velvety plush surface. Velvet has a heavy drape that creates an even, structured, almost pleated look, and its densely packed fibers catch the light in such a way that emphasizes highlights and shadows. This effect is magnified in crushed velvet, a textured cloth created by laying down the plush fibers in various patterns. 

Spandex

Spandex is a fully synthetic fabric made of polyurethane polymers that is prized for its elasticity and uniformity. When used as a tablecloth, spandex can create a sophisticated, modern feel with even tones and clean lines. Spandex cloths are very durable and easy to care for, and they are available in a wide variety of colors. Unlike traditional tablecloths that can be folded, tucked, or otherwise manipulated to fit a table that is not quite the right size, spandex cloths are made to fit specific dimensions and are somewhat inflexible to tables too big or too small. Their fitted nature does, however, make them extremely well suited to outdoor events, as they are not at risk of blowing around like a traditional tablecloth.