Understanding Towel Sizes and Dispensers: A Guide for Commercial Buyers

Selecting the correct paper towel for your business may seem like a minor decision, but it can have a significant impact on functionality, hygiene, and cost-effectiveness. At Executive Distributors, we understand the challenges that come with purchasing commercial paper products, especially when it comes to choosing between towel sizes, fold types, and dispenser compatibility.

This will guide you through the three main towel sizes we stock, explain common towel terms and fold styles, provide clarity on dispenser compatibility, and outline why some towels are exclusive to certain systems. We have also included a simple sizing chart to help you quickly identify which towel best suits your needs.

The Three Main Towel Sizes Available

Executive Distributors supplies a practical and carefully selected range of interleaf paper towels suitable for commercial, industrial, and hospitality settings. Below are the three key sizes that form the core of our range:

1. Slimline Interleaf Towel – Environmentally Sustainable Bamboo

Our Bamboo Slimline Interleaf Towel is a popular option for clients seeking an eco-conscious solution without compromising on absorbency or performance. Manufactured from sustainable bamboo fibre, this towel offers a soft feel and quick absorption while remaining biodegradable and environmentally responsible.

This size is ideal for small to medium facilities, including offices, retail outlets, cafes, and washrooms with limited wall space for dispensers.

• Made from renewable bamboo pulp
  
• Folded for one-at-a-time dispensing
  
• Towel dimensions: approximately 23 cm x 23–25 cm
  
• Compatible with most slimline interleaf dispensers
   

2. Ultraslim Interleaf Towel – Micah Mezzo

The Micah Mezzo Ultraslim Interleaf Towel is our most widely used towel and offers an excellent balance between quality and value. With greater coverage than slimline towels, this product suits facilities with higher foot traffic or where a more generous towel size is preferred.

This size is commonly used in public bathrooms, medical centres, schools, and food service environments.

• Made for medium to high-volume settings
  
• Strong and absorbent for efficient drying
  
• Towel dimensions: approximately 23 cm x 30 cm
  
• Designed for ultraslim interleaf dispensers
   

3. Large Format Towels

In certain settings, such as commercial kitchens, industrial facilities, or event venues, a larger towel format may be required. These towels are designed for high-capacity use and reduce the need for frequent refilling. While not part of our core offering, we can provide advice or recommend options depending on your dispenser type and usage.

If you require a larger towel format, we recommend contacting our team directly to discuss compatible alternatives.

Understanding Interleaf Folding Styles

Not all paper towels are folded the same way. Understanding the difference between fold types is essential to ensure smooth and consistent operation within your dispenser. At Executive Distributors, we stock towels with Z-fold configurations, which are the most commonly used in commercial settings.

Z-Fold (Interleaved)

Z-fold towels are interleaved so that each towel pulls out the next, allowing for hygienic, one-at-a-time dispensing. This reduces waste and improves hygiene, making them ideal for high-traffic public washrooms, staff kitchens, and healthcare settings.

Our Micah Mezzo Ultraslim and Bamboo Slimline towels both use the Z-fold style, making them compatible with most standard interleaf dispensers on the Australian market.

Matching Towels to Dispensers

Choosing the correct towel is only part of the process. Ensuring compatibility with your existing dispenser is equally important. Misalignment between towel size and dispenser capacity can cause jamming, over-dispensing, or premature restocking.

To avoid these issues, we recommend the following:

• Measure your current towel (length and width) when unfolded
  
• Identify the towel fold style (Z-fold, C-fold, or V-fold)
  
• Check the model or specifications of your dispenser
  
• Determine whether your dispenser is universal or part of a proprietary system
  
• Contact us if unsure – our staff are happy to help match towels to dispensers
  

Adding a label to the inside of the dispenser noting which towel size and code it uses can also streamline reordering for cleaning staff or purchasing teams.

The Difference Between Universal and Captive Systems

Many businesses are unaware that some dispensers are part of a “captive” system. These proprietary dispensers, often from major global brands, are designed to fit only their specific towel products. While this may seem convenient, it can limit flexibility and create long-term supply challenges.

Captive Systems

Captive systems are typically tied to brands like Tork and Kimberly-Clark. These systems lock businesses into using only their refills, often at a higher cost and with limited product variety.

Universal Dispensers

At Executive Distributors, we supply non-captive towel systems that are compatible with a wide range of high-quality interleaf towels. This flexibility gives our customers the freedom to:

• Choose eco-friendly or cost-effective alternatives
  
• Avoid product shortages tied to global suppliers
  
• Maintain consistent towel supply across multiple locations
  

If you are unsure whether your dispenser is part of a captive system, speak with our team and we can recommend suitable universal alternatives.

Towel Size and Compatibility Chart

To help simplify your selection process, we have compiled a quick reference table outlining our towel sizes and their compatible dispensers:These names represent the folding pattern of the towel, which affects how they dispense and fit within different dispensers.

Captive Towels – A Word of Caution:
Some major brands manufacture captive towel systems—meaning their towel size is deliberately made longer or shorter than the standard. These towels are designed to only fit that brand’s specific dispenser. While the dispensers may be offered “free on loan”, customers are then locked into purchasing that brand’s towels exclusively.

It’s important to check towel sizing before purchase to avoid accidentally buying a captive-size towel that doesn’t fit standard or generic dispensers.

Why Choose Executive Distributors?

Executive Distributors supplies premium-quality interleaf towels and dispensers across South East Queensland. Our product range is carefully selected to provide:

• Reliable performance with each dispense
  
• Clear sizing information for easy restocking
  
• Environmentally sustainable options such as bamboo
  
• Compatibility with widely used non-captive dispensers
  
• Personalised service from a local supplier
  

Our goal is to make commercial towel purchasing as seamless as possible, reducing downtime and improving user experience.

Need Help Choosing the Right Towel?

Whether you manage a commercial property, run a hospitality venue, or order supplies for a school or government facility, our team can help you find the most suitable towel product for your requirements.

Get in touch with Executive Distributors today for expert advice on paper towel sizing, dispenser compatibility, and product recommendations tailored to your site. Contact us at 07 4613 4455 or email us at [email protected] Thank you!