Sydney Bondi Beach tea towel captures the iconic curve of Australia's most famous stretch of sand - blue water, breaking waves, and that unmistakable Sydney summer energy.
Printed on a 50% linen / 50% cotton blend and measuring 50cm x 70cm, it's equally at home folded over an oven handle or framed as a display piece. Made in Australia, each tea towel arrives beautifully presented in a full-colour sleeve - ready to give or keep.
Every order is gift wrapped in retro paper, so you can send it straight to the recipient if you like. Add a personalised note at checkout and we'll include it with no mention of cost.
Free shipping across Australia, always.
Buy 3 or more tea towels - feel free to order a mix of designs - and save a min. of $15 + free shipping! * Please note: this additional discount does not apply during a sale.
The protective watermark in the centre of our online images will not appear on your ordered item, we promise. It's only there to stop schmucks downloading and reproducing our restored files and original creations.
Ever wondered why we're all a bit obsessed with tea towels?
Behind the Seams
Turns out they've got quite the history!
• The term “tea towel” comes from its original use in tea service: lining trays, draping over teapots, drying fine china and glassware.
• The material of choice was often linen or a linen-cotton blend because it was soft, lint-free and gentle on delicate china and glass.
• In Victorian times, using a good tea towel became part of the display of refinement: a woman might hand-embroider the towel with motifs, monograms and use it for afternoon tea to impress her guests.
• With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and mass textile production in the late 18th and 19th centuries, tea towels became more affordable and their use broadened beyond elite homes.
• In the early 20th century, tea towels started to serve not only functional roles but they also became decorative or promotional and were often printed with advertisements, landmarks, calendars and souvenir motifs.
• In the U.S. during the Great Depression, resourceful homemakers repurposed flour sacks into tea towels; flour companies even printed designs on sacks knowing they'd be used and seen.
• In May 1890, Van Gogh painted Daubigny's Garden on a red and white striped tea towel because he had no canvas available at the time. This original tea towel painting is now part of the Van Gogh Museum's collection.
• Today the tea towel is back as a design icon: often displayed rather than just used, printed with bold and colourful imagery, proudly displayed in kitchens and even framed. They make a wonderful gift and we're astonished (and a little envious) of those who add a collection to a drawer so that they always have a gift on hand.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 5 / 5 from 3826 reviews.
A good quality product, quick and easy, no problems
Great quality, exactly as pictured. Arrived soon after purchase in cute retro packaging. Can't wait to give it as a personalized housewarming gift. I highly recommend.
This print hangs in the kitchen area and is a great talking point when anyone drops by. Thankyou to Retro Print for the consistantly wonderful service and quality of there items.
The renovated bathroom lacked a colourful feature for the wall above the bathtub. We live beside the Murray River so when I found this print it was an easy decision.
The black frame is perfect and the print is magnificent in quality, definition and colour.
Delivery was without fuss and the framed print arrived perfect packaged and protected.
We are extremely happy with our purchase- my only thought is that perhaps we should have gone for the next size up?
Anyway, very happy with the result.
The company is highly recommended.
Thank you
Store owner replied:
Thank you Wendy and you've inspired me to pop a large plant in our bathroom! The colours of your Murray River print look fabulous there and we greatly appreciate your very kind review with a photo - even better! Penny x
Great print and looks amazing
Prompt delivery
Very happy with my purchase
Store owner replied:
A fabulous kitchen nook Robert and many thanks for your very kind review. We love getting this sort of feedback (it happen regularly!). Cheers, Penny x
A beautiful picture. Looks beautiful where we hung it & your service is great
Store owner replied:
Thanks Sueanne, very kind words and delighted that you're happy with your Van Gogh print. Penny x
The delivery was quick! The framing, the wrapping was highly considered & protective of such a 'treasure'.
It is beautifully framed & the picture & the framing are of a superior quality.
We have positioned it in 'pride of place' near where we dine so we can enjoy it's beauty ..
Store owner replied:
Your Renoir print has taken 'pride pf place' in your dining room - love it and we hope you all enjoy many years of luncheoning (is that a word?) and gazing at your print. Thanks Maureen. Penny x
Store owner replied:
Nothing like a dramatic pop of Cinzano Zebra to liven up a room! Thanks for your review Richard, much appreciated. Penny x
I have bought lots of these t-towels with different prints now. I love them, both to use and to look at. I have even bought some to give away as gifts. 💙💙💙 Highly recommend!
Store owner replied:
Well thank you Jane, we adore our repeat customers and so pleased you love them and that you're also gifting them. They make great prezzies! Penny x
This is such a great print! Love the green shade which really stands out.
As per usual perfect service from the Retro Print Merchants team.
Store owner replied:
You are now up to your 17th order with us and each and every time you're so lovely with your feedback! Thank you Cathryn, we appreciate your support and your gorgeous interactions with us. Very much appreciated. Penny x
lovely print and excellent quality - just order another two prints !
Store owner replied:
Thanks Kerri, wonderful to hear and thanks for ordering again! We hope you enjoy all 3 prints for years to come. Penny x
My print looks awesome, quality is excellent. Came quickly as well.
Honestly, this was probably one of the best experiences I’ve had purchasing online.
I had some questions and then a minor issue, the team were very quick to not only respond but provide solutions. It’s rare these days that companies care but these guys really do. Issues happen that’s life but how they are handled is hugely important and this was A+ from a customer experience point of view.
Store owner replied:
Oh wow, now that's a dramatic pop of colour - how good does that look! Your review is absolutely wonderful Joel, it's everything we strive for and written so succinctly. We greatly appreciate you taking the time to give it some thought and send through a review with photo. Thanks Joel. Penny x
Great print, going to take it to get framed today!
Store owner replied:
Straight to our front page Cheryl! Thanks so much, greatly appreciated and so pleased you love it! Penny x
I bought this framed print as a 50th birthday gift for my husband. He loves it and it looks fantastic hanging above his desk. My photo doesn't do it justice. This is the second RPM print I've bought and once again I can't fault their service or product - highly recommended.
Store owner replied:
Wonderful to hear Kylie, sounds like we're doing okay on a few fronts! Enjoy your Gold Coast print for many years to come. Penny x
Store owner replied:
Wonderful to hear and thanks for another review Clare. Penny x
Very impressed with the quality of the print and frame. Appreciated the care taken with packaging the frame for delivery- every effort was made to ensure it got to me undamaged. We will be buying again soon!
Store owner replied:
And we'll be ready and waiting for your next order Roy! Thanks for your review and delighted to hear you're happy with your map of Melbourne. Cheers for now, Penny x
Looks great in my kitchen. Nicely framed and good service
Store owner replied:
Fabulous and many thanks for your review Ruth. Long may you enjoy Coffee in your kitchen! Penny x
Easy to order, arrived quickly with very secure packing, framed print COFFEE FIRST vibrant colours, excellent quality and looks great above my home coffee setup
Store owner replied:
Hey that's a lovely kitchen nook Philip, looks so good. Delighted that you're happy with the print, framing and service. Cheers, Penny x
Store owner replied:
Nice photo review, thanks Terry - much appreciated and delighted that you're happy with your Skipping Girl! Penny x
COMMON QUESTIONS
RETRO WALL PRINTS We print and frame to order so your print will have been produced just for you.
Please allow for the following production times:
3-5 business days for unframed prints plus delivery.
10 business days for framed prints & canvas plus delivery.
Please note that during busy sale periods these times may vary.
TEA TOWELS & GREETING CARDS Please allow approx 3 days plus delivery.
Shipping across Australia is FREE.
We ship via AusPost or courier depending on the item. Very large prints and large orders may be sent via a dedicated art van.
As soon as an order is dispatched you will receive a link with tracking details. We ask that you monitor this link for an estimated delivery time.
Standard delivery with tracking via AusPost is usually within 3-7 days across Australia.
Express Post via AusPost is usually within 3 days across Australia.
Courier times will vary depending on the location in Australia.
At Retro Print Merchants (RPM), we get it - sometimes you just change your mind, and that’s totally okay. That’s why we have created the RPM Change-Of-Mind Returns Policy.
This Returns Policy applies to full-priced framed art, framed and stretched canvas, unframed art prints and tea towels.
The RPM Change-Of-Mind Returns Policy does not apply to:
any sale items, promotional offers, discounted products, trade or wholesale priced items, bundle offers or greeting cards
personalised items such as personalised beach, market or cycling prints or personalised tea towels
RPM gift cards or items purchased with an RPM gift card
To start the return process, please email us at enquire@retroprintmerchants.com.auwithin 14 days of receiving your order and include the following details:
The customer’s name the order was placed under
The 5-digit RPM order number
Your reasons for wishing to return your order
We are unable to accept requests for Change-Of-Mind Returns more than 14 days after customer receipt of order.
Please do not ship returns back to RPM without first receiving an email with instructions and the appropriate return address.
Customers are responsible for the cost of return shipping which should include tracking. Items should be returned in the same condition in which they were received by the customer, in the original packaging with a copy of the RPM order confirmation.
Once shipped you should email your details, order number and tracking number to enquire@retroprintmerchants.com.au. Please ensure returns are shipped to the address we provide you (which may vary) as we cannot be responsible for lost returns, or items damaged during the return shipping process.
Please follow the conditions and instructions above to set your return up for a positive result.
Once your return order is received by us, our production department will assess the condition of the item/s and we will notify you of the outcome.
For Change-Of-Mind Returns, RPM offers store credit or exchange. If the exchange item is of a lower value, the balance will be issued as store credit.
This Change-Of-Mind Returns Policy forms part of the terms and conditions for accessing retroprintmerchants.com.au.
The protective watermark in the centre of our online images will not appear on your item, we promise.
It's only there to stop schmucks (one particularly annoying schmuck in the tea towel industry) from downloading and reproducing our restored designs and original creations.
