Working with Richlite

Richlite is a remarkably durable and versatile material crafted from paper, suitable for a wide range of applications. Unlike conventional surface materials, Richlite needs to be worked with a little bit differently to get the best results. Each application and maker is unique, so results will vary but we've grouped together the guidance from the Richlite fabrication video series to help anyone with less experience understand how to work with Richlite to get the best results. If it's your first time working with paper composite surfaces, you can buy part sheets to test out things like buffing, applying finishes, seaming or routing the material. 

Surface options

Richlite is supplied in sheets with factory-finished Mill surface and rough-cut edges that can be worked with standard woodworking tools with carbide or diamond tipped tooling. Many interior joinery applications are specified with a leathered suede like finish, or more polished honed finish which are achieved through fabrication. Richlite's high density means you may need multiple passes or work through more tooling than wood. 

Applied finishes

For indoor air quality and ease of application, most fabricators choose to use a hard wax oil finish with Richlite. You can purchase the finish from our online shop, but it's important not to follow the instructions on the tin, as they are for porous wood surfaces, which Richlite is not. The finish is a highly refined hard wax/oil combination that does not separate and performs like an air-cured finish that if applied correctly shouldn't stay soft or waxy and acts as a better repellent to watermarks. It can be applied on site, but the drying time is long compared to solvent based finishes. 

Seaming + gluing

CNC Routing

Cutting, tapping, drilling + hand routing