B&F

Our Uncoated options are expanding, with new sizes arriving soon for Fern Offset paper/card and Drink Coaster Board.

Fern Offset - a competitively priced, high-white paper and board that delivers high-resolution images and text will soon be available in a 90gsm option.

Drink Coaster Board is now available in a larger format - SRA1 (640x900mm), enabling printing on digital machines. Drink Coaster Board is a stiff, white, absorbent board made specifically for ... well, coasters!

For uncoated paper, card or board, contact your B&F rep or visit our website: bfpapers.co.nz

On this World Environment Day, we’re basking in the glow of responsible, sustainable choices thanks to the installation of our new solar power system. ;)

Recently our sister company, Accolade Packaging, moved into our Takanini plant. Twice the machinery meant twice the power needs, and in line with our commitment to environmental responsibility we decided to explore solar.

Cameron Dick from Vital Energy worked with us on a comprehensive solution. A 78kw solar battery enables us to store electricity pulled through on cheaper overnight rates and ensures that, in an outage, neither B&F nor Accolade will be caught without power.

Cameron suggested installing solar panels too (140kw capacity), drawing in more power from the sun (40% of our total site power is from solar); we also have the option to add more panels and capacity in the future.

This new solar hybrid system has no downsides – it makes both economic and environmental sense, being more affordable and more sustainable than electricity.

The future, as they say, is bright. 🌞

If cardboard can be used to make bridges and buildings, a cardboard bike must be safe, right?

Prototypes for these Amazing Paper bicycle creations have been around for over 15 years. In 2008 Phil Bridge, a university student, designed a cardboard bike as part of his degree. It was sturdy enough to hold someone 77kg or under, was waterproof and included standard chains, pedals, tyres and brakes.

Hope for the heavier amongst us came in 2012, when an Israeli mechanical engineer called Izhar Gafni created a fireproof, waterproof prototype cardboard bicycle with recycled rubber tyres, which could support riders up to 220kgs.

Neither version has made it into full-scale production – yet.

Talofa lava - hello! Did you remember that today is a holiday?

We’re saying ‘thank you, King Charles III’, but today is also Samoan Independence Day and part of Samoan Language Week. That makes today a very special celebration for our Samoan colleagues and customers.

Whatever the reason for your holiday today, enjoy your day off in whatever way works for you.

The B&F crew are out of the warehouses, trucks and offices too, but if you need us, you can still message us or visit our website; we’ll be back refreshed and ready to go tomorrow morning. 😊

The sensation of touch is one of our five main senses, and along with how a paper looks, it is one of the most basic elements in making different papers stand out.

When paper is created, it can be made to feel very smooth, slightly rough or textured to a specific pattern.

Papers with a ‘wove’ finish are amongst the most common papers used for general printing. A ‘wove’ paper is a natural (i.e. uncoated) paper with a smooth surface. A felt roller covered in fine woven wire runs over the wet paper sheets as they are being created, smoothing them but, because it is uncoated, it will not have a pristine smoothness.

You can choose paper with a variety of touches, such as waves, laid and feltmarked, so explore the world of texture contained in our Specialty range by contacting your B&F rep.

On Friday we celebrated Soar - one of the true gentlemen and great champions of the New Zealand print industry.

From the proud beginnings of Soar Communications, through to the evolution of , Fred's passion, leadership and forward-thinking approach helped shape generations of print in New Zealand.

At B&F, this tribute feels especially meaningful. Both our companies were built on family foundations - Soar in 1920 and B&F in 1931 - with generations carrying forward the values, relationships and commitment that make family businesses so special.

Over many years, Fred and the SCG team have been much more than valued customers to us - they are trusted partners and friends. We have shared countless conversations, challenges, successes and a genuine love for this industry we are all proud to be part of.

As Fred steps into a well-earned retirement filled with travel, adventure and time to enjoy the next chapter, we simply want to say thank you - for your leadership, generosity, vision, and the lasting impact you have made on New Zealand print.

We wish you safe travels and wonderful adventures ahead, Fred. You leave behind an incredible legacy.

Pictured: Fred Soar, Penelope Savidan, Barry Tripp

We love it when a client says they’re “officially in love with this new option,” and that is exactly what someone recently said about Neo.

A new customer recently reached out with a pressing need for paper, stat!

Our Auckland warehouse team were on the job straight away, delivering a 7km long reel of white Neo 900 mm wide paper, ready to receive creative magic.

We love knowing that it's not just our products, but the efforts of our team that make all the difference, so when you have paper needs, give your B&F rep a call – we have offices in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

We know our products will meet your needs, and we’d love to exceed your expectations too.

Corrugated cardboard - the low-key, recyclable hero of packaging.

This simplest of ideas has provided strength, protection and flexibility to billions of boxes across the globe, yet it started life in a hat!

Yes, the potential of this liner for tall, 19C hats was soon discovered and morphed into the double-faced corrugated board that we know so well.

Today, corrugated cardboard remains a primary packaging material due to its durability, lightweight nature, and recyclability, forming the backbone of global shipping and logistics.

Need uncoated paper stocks? B&F have you covered.

We have an extensive range of papers and boards in stock. Fern is competitively priced, and ideal for products needing precision printing. It comes in 11 weights (60gsm to 350gsm), including a new 90gsm range arriving in NZ soon.

DCP Smooth is a high-white, smooth uncoated paper that is the ideal for colour digital reproduction - sharp printing with no show through (100gsm – 350gsm).

Or check out Lenza chlorine-free, recycled papers (80gsm – 350gsm) in Ivory or White. Lenza range can be used on all types of printing machinery.

Check out our full uncoated range online: B&F Sheets | B&F Papers