Did you know that napkins can be a significant promotional opportunity? Many business operators consider napkins insignificant entities. Certainly, napkins are crucial to a napkins provider, but they are essential to other enterprises as well. If you are a marketer, you may fill a napkin niche no one else can. To other businesses, napkins can promote a vital image.

How do napkins promote image? Take the restaurant industry. Linen fabric monogrammed napkins no more belong in Burger King than purple polka dot paper napkins have in the Providence restaurant in Los Angeles. Even cheap white paper napkins make unconscious—possibly negative—impressions on customers. Which do you remember better, the fast food joints with white paper napkins or the Whataburger restaurants custom-printed napkins? Know the image you want to portray.

1. Get special napkins for special occasions.

2. Use disposable napkins for quick clean-up and no laundering fuss.

3. Cloth napkins are a must for a touch of class.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a napkins provider for specialty or custom-designed napkins

You can get napkins to celebrate weddings, baby showers, birthdays, holidays and more. If you plan to stage a company celebration, get napkins personalized with your company logo. If you own a restaurant, custom business napkins help you wipe up--er, out--your competition.

I recommend: You can find a napkins list for special occasions at The Stationery Studio. You can order personalized beverage napkins at Napkins Personalized.

Find disposable napkins for your business

Get disposable napkins for your restaurant or other commercial enterprise. Make sure you keep plenty of them on hand. There is nothing like running out of napkins during the noontime rush. Some of those darned customers might start wiping their fingers on the tablecloths--or elsewhere--and who knows where the elsewhere might be?

I recommend: You can purchase disposable napkins for the restaurant, hotel and hospitality industry at Napkins Only. You can also find an assortment of disposable napkins at ReStockIt. ReStockIt earned a 2008 South Florida Business Journal Business of the Year award.

Find napkins of cloth for a touch of elegance

Cloth napkins send a powerful image to your customers. They know you settle for only the best. Distinguished restaurants set themselves apart with personalized or monogrammed napkins. You can do the same for your business.

I recommend: If you need cloth napkins information, look at Bright Hospitality. There you can order polyester napkins. You can find more cloth napkins at Linen Table Cloth. If you prefer cloth-monogrammed napkins, contact Classic Linens.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A napkins directory of etiquette provides the following suggestions. When dining, remove the napkin and place it on your lap until the end of the meal. Never shake it open. Never wipe the dishes or cutlery. Pick it up only to wipe the corners of your mouth. Never wipe your face with the napkin, and do not use it to blow your nose. At the end of the meal, place the napkin underneath the plate.