What is the difference between acrylic and Teflon coating for tablecloths?

Acrylic and Teflon both repel liquids from soaking into fabric. Acrylic forms a thicker layer on the fabric surface so you can wipe it down with a sponge--kind of similar to old-fashioned oilcloth, but with much better drape and appearance (the fabric is less thick and less shiny than oilcloth). An acrylic coating makes fabric suitable for using outside. If you have kids, you will love an acrylic-coated tablecloth.

Teflon is another fabric treatment that makes liquids bead up before they soak into the cloth. It does not form a thick layer on the fabric--in fact, you cannot feel it at all. (Teflon is a registered trademark of Dupont.) No worries if someone spills a drink. Just blot it with a napkin.

How do I launder my coated tablecloth or apron?

If it's acrylic coated, you can machine wash and line dry. You don't have to launder these very often, though, because they wipe down so easily. It is OK to iron them on the reverse side, but in our experience, you won't have to. The coating makes wrinkles and creases fall out on their own.

Teflon-coated tablecloths can be machine washed and dried, and ironed as any other untreated tablecloth.

What is the difference between printed and damask (jacquard) tablecloths?

A printed tablecloth has the design printed on top of the fabric. The underside of the cloth will be plain.

In a damask (also known as jacquard) tablecloth, the design is woven into the fabric. The threads (or yarns) are dyed before being woven, and the weaving is what makes the design appear. If you turn over a damask tablecloth, you will see the same design in reverse. These tablecloths cost more because they use more time, energy, and labor to produce. They also tend to hold up very well and last a very long time.

The tag on my fabric item has symbols for washing instructions. What do they mean?

Those symbols are used internationally so we don't have to depend on verbal translations. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission publishes a guide for those symbols:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro25.pdf