Clear And Blue 12Inch Plastic Charger Plates

A charger plate, also called a service plate or underplate, is a large decorative plate placed under the dinner plate. It adds color and structure to each place setting, protects the tablecloth from drips, and stays on the table through the first courses. It’s decor, not a dish: food always goes on a plate on top.

No. Chargers aren’t meant to touch food, and our listings say the same. Set a dinner or salad plate on top and serve on that. In formal service the charger is removed with the main-course plate, before dessert is served.

Choose a charger 2 to 3 inches wider than your dinner plate, so a border shows all around. Our 13-inch chargers suit dinner plates of 10 to 11 inches. Our 12-inch chargers suit 10-inch plates and narrow tables where space is tight.

One per guest, plus a few spares in case one gets scratched or a guest is added at the last minute. A wedding of 100 guests needs about 105. Our 13-inch chargers come in packs of 12, 20 and 100.

Ours aren’t: they’re hand-wash only, and they shouldn’t go in the microwave either. Wipe them with a damp cloth after the event, or hand-wash them in warm, soapy water and dry them before stacking. Cared for this way, they can be reused for many events.