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Handmade in Mission, Kansas  ·  Custom engraving in the Engraving Lab  ·  Handmade in Mission, Kansas  ·  Custom engraving in the Engraving Lab  ·  

Richlite Fabrication — Mission, Kansas

Richlite cutting boards & fabrication in Kansas City

Recycled paper, pressed under heat into the toughest surface in the kitchen. We cut, engrave, and finish every sheet by hand — for restaurants, designers, and serious home cooks.

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what is richlite

THE MATERIAL THAT OUTLASTS EVERYTHING ELSE
Richlite is a premium paper composite material known for its durability, sustainability, and versatility. Fabricated under heat and pressure using FSC-certified recycled paper, it provides a long-lasting alternative to stone, plastic, and traditional solid-surface materials. At Gauntt Board Company, we fabricate and install Richlite surfaces for homes, restaurants, and other commercial environments in Kansas City.
https://richlite.com
SEE IT IN PERSON

TOUR THE SHOP

GBC is based in Mission, Kansas just 15 minutes outside of Kansas City. For wholesale accounts and qualified fabrication clients, Tim occasionally opens the shop for in-person visits. If you want to see the CNC table, touch the raw material, and watch the process — reach out.
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START WITH A SAMPLE

ORDER A  SAMPLE

The same boards that helped open the door with Q39 are available to qualifying restaurant operators, hospitality groups, and fabrication clients. Put one on your prep station, use it in service, and see how it performs under real kitchen pressure before committing to a larger order.
REQUEST A SAMPLE

how is it made

STRENGTH MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
Layers of high-quality engineered paper are infused with thermosetting resin before they are cut to length and laid up by hand.. Each sheet is carefully stacked, alternating the direction of the paper for ultimate balance and stability. The stacks are pressed under heat and pressure, which bonds the layers of paper together and cures the product. The panels are then slowly cooled to produce a solid and stable sheet material.

Frequently asked Questions

Richlite is a paper composite made from layers of FSC-certified recycled paper saturated with thermosetting resin, compressed under high heat and pressure into a dense, non-porous surface. It performs like stone, machines like wood, and is NSF 51 certified food-safe for commercial use. Made by The Richlite Company in Tacoma, WA since 1943.

Yes. Richlite carries NSF 51 certification for food equipment materials — independently tested and approved for direct food contact. It’s non-porous, so bacteria can’t harbor in the surface the way they hide in wood grain. That’s why professional kitchens worldwide use it as their standard prep surface.

Wood looks beautiful but harbors bacteria in grain, warps with moisture, and degrades in high-humidity environments. Richlite is non-porous, far more sanitary, and resists edge chipping better than most hardwoods. When it shows wear, it can be lightly sanded to near-new — something wood cannot do without major refinishing.

HDPE plastic boards score and groove with heavy use — those grooves become bacterial traps. Richlite is far denser, won’t score as deeply under normal use, and looks significantly better in professional or residential settings. It’s also sustainable — plastic cutting boards are disposable, Richlite lasts decades.

Yes — that’s GBC’s core capability. We use CNC machining to cut Richlite to any shape, profile, or dimension with precise tolerances. Custom edge profiles, drainage grooves, logo inlays, cutouts, and laser engraving are all available. Commercial countertop projects receive full engineering drawings before fabrication begins.