A REAL good material for the table top is the white melamine board that you can get at any home center. Get it with a 3 foot width and a 6 foot length, and it works GREAT. The material repels water, won't warp, and is what we used at the shop.

Another tip is to iron the aprons seperate from the pleats. No weird little lines that way.

As for the pleats, try hanging it on a shower curtain rod (or something similar) and STEAM the things first. Usually (with a good kilt) they will drop right into place and require MUCH less ironing.