BFK Rives
Made by the Arches paper mill in France, BFK Rives is a lightly sized paper suitable for all printmaking techniques.
BFK Rives: A Timeless Paper for Printmaking and More
BFK Rives is a lightly sized, fine-grain paper made on a traditional cylinder mould by the Arches paper mill in France. Its soft surface is ideal for a wide range of printmaking techniques, including etching, lithography, linocut, letterpress, and screen printing.
Arches have been making fine art paper since 1492 and are one of the world’s most respected papermakers. BFK Rives carries this tradition, offering artists a smooth, absorbent surface that holds ink beautifully and brings out fine detail.
The BFK in the name stands for Blanchet Frères & Kléber, a family-run paper mill founded in 1820 in Rives, France. It was known for producing high quality publishing, photographic, and fine art papers. BFK papers were used by pioneering artists and photographers, including Eadweard Muybridge.
Today, BFK Rives is prized by printmakers for its light fine grain, which allows subtle mark-making, tonal effects, and crisp impressions. Its surface works equally well for pencil, pastel, charcoal, and ink-based methods. Whether you’re working in etching, relief, or screen printing, BFK Rives Paper is a trusted choice.