What size tablecloth do I need for a trestle, round or banquet table?

What size are trestle, round and banquet tables?

Most tables you'll find at venues come in a handful of standard sizes. Trestle tables come in two standard widths, 1.8 metres and 2.4 metres, and the 1.8m table is the most popular. Banquet tables are either the same rectangular folding style or rounds, commonly 1.2m, 1.5m or 1.8m across.

Trestle sizes are from our guide to the standard size of a trestle table. Round sizes are from the published specs of commercial furniture makers. Sizes vary slightly between manufacturers, so always measure the table you'll actually be using.

Why does the tablecloth size matter?

A tablecloth is cut for one table size. A throw-style cloth made for a 1.8m table is 3190mm wide, so on a 2.4m table it would hang only about 395mm at each end, leaving nearly half the leg height on show. Go too big and the fabric bunches on the floor.

Getting the size right means your branding sits square on the front panel and the table underneath disappears.

Use the following steps to choose the right tablecloth size

1. Measure the table: length, depth and height, in millimetres. If you're hiring or borrowing a table from the venue, check its size beforehand so there are no surprises.

Note: Depth varies more than you'd think. One commercial maker's folding table, for example, is 2430 x 860mm, a full 100mm deeper than a typical 2.4m trestle.

2. Match your table to the chart above. Our standard tablecloths come in two sizes, one for 1.8m tables and one for 2.4m tables. For a round table or any other size, work out the cloth size in step 4, then go to step 6.

3. Choose your style. Our Branded Table Cloths come in three styles:

• Fitted stretch: stretch fabric with pockets sewn inside that fit around the table legs, so the table is completely hidden. The artwork top panel is 1830 x 750mm for a 1.8m table, or 2440 x 750mm for a 2.4m table.
• Box: the fabric is stitched at each corner, so it hangs as a neat box shape. The top panel is 1830 x 760mm (1.8m) or 2440 x 760mm (2.4m), with a 700mm drop on each side.
• Drape/throw: one piece of crease-resistant polyester with rounded corners, so the fabric doesn't bunch on the ground. It's 3190 x 2120mm for a 1.8m table, or 3800 x 2120mm for a 2.4m table.

4. Work out the drop if you're measuring for a throw. Add the drop to both sides of the length and both sides of the depth. Our 1.8m throw is built exactly this way, with a 680mm drop on every side:

• Width: 1830 + 680 + 680 = 3190mm
• Depth: 760 + 680 + 680 = 2120mm

For a round table, it's the diameter plus the drop on each side.

IMPORTANT: Leave a small gap at the floor. On a 740mm high table, our 680mm drop leaves 60mm clear, so the cloth hangs straight instead of pooling.

5. Download the artwork template for your size. The product page has templates for the stretch, drape/throw and box styles, each for a 1.8m and a 2.4m table. Each template has a 50mm bleed all round. Leave the trim line visible as the template shows, don't include crop marks, and save the final file as a Press Quality PDF. Check it against our artwork specifications before you send it.

6. Finally, place your order. On the Branded Table Cloths page, select your table width (1.8m or 2.4m) and your table cloth style. For a round table or anything non-standard, send us the measurements from step 1 through the enquiry form on the same page and ask about a custom size. Standard production is two weeks from your order and print-ready artwork, plus delivery time, and you're done!