Pocket tissues occupy a unique position in the tissue product lineup. Unlike toilet paper or kitchen roll that serve a single function in a fixed location, pocket tissues travel with the end user — into cars, offices, bags, and hotel rooms. That portability makes them both a high-turnover retail SKU and a versatile promotional vehicle for brands looking for a useful, low-cost give-away.
For the underlying numbers, see Small Tissue Packs: Sheet Count, Case Count, and Restock Rhythm.
For B2B buyers, sourcing pocket tissues means making decisions about sheet count per pack, pack format, printing customization, and order volume. This guide covers the options available from a China-based virgin-pulp manufacturer and the specifications that matter for retail and promotional applications.
Portable Pack Formats: What the Market Expects
Pocket tissues are sold in small, sealed packs designed to fit in a pocket, purse, or glove compartment. The two dominant formats in the global market are:
- Soft-pack (PE film wrap): Flexible plastic-wrapped packs, typically containing 7-10 sheets folded compactly. The most common retail format worldwide. Lightweight, low-cost packaging, and the pack conforms to fit in tight spaces.
- Hard-pack (rigid plastic or cardboard case): A reusable container with a dispensing slot. Less common than soft-packs but positioned at a higher price point. Often used for premium retail or as a branded promotional item because the case itself carries the brand message.
Top Source Paper produces pocket tissues in multi-pack and individual portable configurations from 100% virgin wood pulp. The tissue inside is the same high-toughness, ultra-soft virgin fiber used across all product lines — the difference is in the sheet size (smaller than standard facial tissue), fold pattern (compact fold for pack fitting), and packaging format.
Retail vs Promotional: Different Specs for Different Channels
The specification you choose depends on whether the pocket tissue is being sold as a retail product or distributed as a promotional item. The two channels have different priorities:
| Attribute | Retail Pocket Tissues | Promotional Pocket Tissues |
|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Shelf appeal and repeat purchase | Brand exposure and utility |
| Sheet count | 7-10 sheets (standard retail pack) | 5-10 sheets (cost-optimized for bulk giveaway) |
| Printing | Full-color pack design, shelf-ready branding | Logo and brand colors; simpler design to control cost |
| Pack format | Soft-pack (PE film) or hard-pack | Soft-pack (lowest unit cost) |
| Order volume | Regular reorders based on sell-through | One-time or seasonal bulk orders |
Top Source Paper supports both channels. Custom printing is available on individual packs and on the outer packaging (multi-pack bundles or display cartons). The factory’s plate-making capability supports 1-4 color designs, and archived plates are reused on reorders at no additional cost.
Customization Options: From Sheet Count to Multi-Pack Configuration
Beyond the pack format and printing, pocket tissue buyers can customize several parameters:
- Sheet count per pack: Typically 7, 8, or 10 sheets. Fewer sheets reduces unit cost for promotional distribution; more sheets increases perceived value for retail.
- Sheet size: Compact fold dimensions are adjusted to fit the target pack format. Standard pocket tissue sheets are smaller than facial tissue sheets.
- Ply: 2-ply is standard for pocket tissues. The virgin wood pulp provides sufficient softness and toughness at 2-ply for the portable use case.
- Multi-pack configuration: Packs can be bundled in groups of 3, 4, 6, or 10 for retail multi-packs or promotional gift sets. The outer bundle packaging is also customizable.
- Pack printing: Full-color printing on the PE film wrap or hard-pack case. Design files are archived for reorder.
Use Cases Beyond Retail: Hotels, Airlines, and Corporate Gifting
Pocket tissues have applications beyond the retail shelf that buyers in the hospitality and corporate sectors should consider:
- Hotel amenities: Branded pocket tissues in guest rooms complement the facial tissue box at the vanity. Hotels that brand both products create a more cohesive bathroom experience.
- Airlines and transit: Compact pocket tissues are a standard amenity in airline seat-back kits and long-distance transit. The lightweight, sealed format is ideal for travel.
- Corporate promotions: Pocket tissues are a practical promotional item because recipients actually use them. A branded pack at a trade show, conference, or retail checkout generates repeated brand exposure over the life of the pack.
- Food service: Pocket tissues in fast-food and takeout packaging replace loose napkins with a more hygienic, branded alternative.
Across all of these applications, the 100% virgin wood pulp construction ensures the tissue is soft, high-toughness, and free from recycled fiber dust — important for any product that comes into contact with the face.
Ordering Parameters and Lead Times
For buyers importing pocket tissues from a China-based virgin-pulp manufacturer:
| Parameter | White-Label | Custom Print |
|---|---|---|
| MOQ | 1 x 20GP container | 1 x 40’HQ container |
| Lead time (first order) | 25-30 working days | 25-30 working days (includes plate-making) |
| Lead time (reorder) | 20-25 working days | 20-25 working days |
| Sampling | 1-3 working days | 1-3 working days |
| Payment | 30% T/T deposit, 70% before shipment | 30% T/T deposit, 70% before shipment |
| Trade terms | FOB / CIF / CFR / EXW | FOB / CIF / CFR / EXW |
Each shipment includes a COA (tensile strength, brightness, virgin fiber verification), burst-resistance inspection video, and loading documentation. Top Source Paper’s three-stage QC process applies to pocket tissue orders: parent roll inspection, in-process patrol during converting, and pre-shipment final inspection.
For pocket tissue inquiries, custom printing consultation, or sample requests, contact Top Source Paper via WhatsApp at +86-13180210660 or email at info@chinatoiletpaper.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sheets should a pocket tissue pack contain?
Standard retail pocket tissue packs contain 7-10 sheets. Promotional packs may contain 5-8 sheets to reduce unit cost for bulk distribution. The optimal count depends on whether the pack is being sold at retail or given away as a branded item.
Can pocket tissue packs be custom printed with a logo?
Yes. Top Source Paper offers 1-4 color custom printing on pocket tissue pack wraps. Design files are archived for reorder at no additional plate cost. Custom print orders require a minimum of 1 x 40’HQ container.
What is the material quality of pocket tissues?
Top Source Paper pocket tissues are made from 100% virgin wood pulp with high toughness and ultra-soft hand-feel. The virgin fiber construction ensures the tissue is free from recycled fiber dust and suitable for facial contact.
What is the MOQ for pocket tissues from a China factory?
White-label pocket tissues start at 1 x 20GP container. Custom-printed orders require 1 x 40’HQ container. Lead time is 25-30 working days for first orders and 20-25 working days for reorders.
A related buying angle for retail and promotional programs is single-use individual pack sizing 鈥?the individual tissue packs guide covers it.
For converting a shelf or campaign plan into a container quantity, see the pocket tissue pack order-sizing guide.
Formats are sourced here; the promotional pocket tissue guide turns them into a branded giveaway ordered to a campaign calendar.
