The Difference Between Multifold & C-Fold Paper Towels

Many types of businesses and organizations provide commercial paper towel dispensers in their bathrooms. Two of the common types of paper towels used in commercial dispensers are multifold paper towels and c-fold paper towels. These two types of towels are similar, and often interchangeable.

Both c-fold and multifold paper towels are standard types of paper towels offered in commercial bathrooms. This includes bathrooms located in places like retail stores, churches, office complexes, public buildings, schools and hotels. Both types of paper towels fit in paper towel dispensers, and many dispensers accomodate either type.

The sizes of both types of paper towels vary by manufacturer. Both are approximately 9 to 13 inches long by 9 to 12 inches wide when opened up. When closed, they are approximately 3 inches wide. When purchasing towels for a dispenser, measure the dimensions of the dispenser to determine what size to order.

Although c-fold and multifold paper towels look similar, they differ in the way they are folded. A c-fold paper towel is folded in the shape of a "C," most noticeable when the towel is completely unfolded. C-fold paper towels are not interlocked, but instead they simply lie on top of each other. A multifold paper towel has a "Z" type fold to it. It is folded this way to allow the towels to interlock with each other.

C-fold and multifold paper towels are available generally in white or a recycled brown color. The prices for these vary depending on size of package, distributor, ply and texture. Both types of paper towels are relatively economic for public buildings. They are often less expensive than purchasing paper towels on the roll, although public buildings also commonly use roll paper towel.