Facility buyers searching “c fold vs multifold paper towels” are usually choosing a refill that must fit a dispenser already on the wall. This guide compares the two folds and lists the towels and dispensers in our Washroom Paper and Washroom Dispensers ranges.
Fold descriptions follow Tork's fold comparison; sizes and pack counts are as printed in our listing titles, and prices are CAD from live listings on 2026-11-12 and change, so check the listing before ordering.
- C-fold sheets are folded in a C shape and lie flat, so you reach in for each one; multifold (Z-fold) sheets overlap so pulling one presents the next, per Tork.
- Match the fold to the dispenser first: multifold works best in a dispenser built for single-sheet release, while C-fold fits most standard dispensers and usually costs less per sheet.
- On live prices, the multifold and single-fold towels we list run from $39.50 (Everest Pro single-fold, 250-pack) to $115.00 (Scott Essential multi-fold, 250-pack); dispensers run $36.20 to $132.00.
- CCOHS says single-use paper towels or clean towels are preferred for drying hands, so whichever fold you pick, keep dispensers stocked.
What Is the Difference Between C-Fold and Multifold Paper Towels?
A C-fold towel is folded twice into a C shape and sits flat, one sheet on the next; a multifold towel, also called Z-fold, overlaps in a zigzag so each pull presents the next sheet.
| Listing | Type | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Kimberly-Clark Scott Essential Multi-Fold Paper Towels, 1 ply, 250/pack | Multi-fold towel | $115.00 |
| Tork Universal Multifold Hand Towels, white | Multifold towel | $51.60 |
| Cascades Pro Select Single-fold Hand Towels, 1 ply, 250/pack | Single-fold towel | $45.80 |
| Sunset Converting Everest Pro Singlefold Hand Towels, 1 ply, 250/pack | Single-fold towel | $39.50 |
| Kimberly-Clark Scott Control Plus Slimfold Hand Towels, 1 ply, 90/pack | Slimfold towel | $79.50 |
| Frost Multi-Fold Towel Dispenser, manual | Multi-fold dispenser | $132.00 |
| Frost Multi-Fold Towel Dispenser, no-touch | Multi-fold dispenser | $87.60 |
| Tork Multi-Fold Hand Towel Dispenser, no-touch | Multi-fold dispenser | $84.20 |
| RMP Maintenance Folded Hand Towel Dispenser, no-touch | Folded-towel dispenser | $36.20 |
| Frost Roll or Single-Fold Towel Dispenser, manual | Roll / single-fold dispenser | $47.40 |
The table lists the folded towels and fold-specific dispensers we carry. Single-fold and Slimfold are the names used in the listing titles, so confirm the dispenser each one needs on its page.
Which Fold Fits Which Dispenser?
Match the refill to the dispenser's design: a multifold dispenser is built for interlocked sheets, and Tork notes C-fold fits most standard dispensers.
For multifold, see the Frost manual multi-fold dispenser, the Frost no-touch multi-fold dispenser and the Tork no-touch multi-fold dispenser. For roll or single-fold stock, the Frost roll or single-fold dispenser is the lower-priced option here.
Which Fold Costs Less to Run?
Per Tork, C-fold usually has the lower unit price, and multifold can recover that through single-sheet release that discourages over-pulling.
Compare actual packs: the Everest Pro single-fold towels is $39.50 for 250, the Cascades Pro Select single-fold towels is $45.80 for 250, and the Scott Essential multi-fold towels is $115.00 for 250 sheets. Price per pack alone is not the full cost, since sheet size and refills also count.
Does the Fold Change How Hands Get Dried?
The fold changes dispensing, not the need to dry thoroughly: CCOHS prefers single-use paper towels or clean towels, and fold type does not alter that.
See the CCOHS hand-washing guidance. Tork adds that multifold lets users touch only the sheet they take, while C-fold sheets must be pulled out one at a time. Sources differ on hygiene, so treat it as a dispenser-design question.
How Do You Choose the Right Fold?
Start with the dispenser, then traffic, then waste against price, then trial one washroom: four steps cover it.
- 1. Read the dispenser: Check the dispenser's label or manual for the fold it is built to hold; a multifold dispenser is made for interlocked sheets.
- 2. Estimate the traffic: Busy washrooms refill faster, so compare how many sheets a pack holds against daily use.
- 3. Weigh waste against price: C-fold usually costs less per sheet; multifold's one-at-a-time release can cut over-pulling.
- 4. Trial one washroom: Run one fold for a few weeks, count refills and complaints, then standardise across the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a multifold towel the same as a Z-fold towel?
Tork describes Z-fold as another name for multifold: sheets overlap in a zigzag so the next sheet presents when one is pulled. See the Tork Universal multifold towels.
Can I put multifold towels in a C-fold dispenser?
Often, but check the dispenser. Tork notes multifold fits standard dispensers yet performs best in one built for single-sheet release, such as the Frost multi-fold dispenser.
Which fold costs less?
Tork reports C-fold usually has the lower unit price, while multifold can save through single-sheet dispensing. Compare real pack prices, such as the Cascades single-fold 250-pack and the Scott Essential multi-fold 250-pack.
Do you list C-fold towels?
Not under that name. Our washroom range lists multi-fold, single-fold and Slimfold towels plus rolls, for example the Scott Control Plus Slimfold; check each listing's dispenser fit.
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