PAUL THOMAS xG . F Smith Mill Trip

PAUL THOMAS x
G . F Smith Mill Trip

Since 2021, G . F Smith’s Colorplan range has been used in every bouquet we send out at PAUL THOMAS. G . F Smith invited us to the Lake District to discover where, and how, their Colorplan & Extract ranges are manufactured. One of their Colorplan shades, Smoke, was also at the core of PAUL THOMAS’ rebrand. Read on and join us on this paper journey.

Photography by Grace Harkness and Shaun James Cox

For over 135 years, G . F Smith has been focused on the limitless possibilities of paper. Visiting the mill was an opportunity to find out more about the process and all the craft that goes into paper-making: skill, craft and passion spanning centuries behind every step.

Colorplan is not only fully recyclable and biodegradable but also FSC certified. It is also Heavy Metal Free and classified ECF, because the bleaching process avoids the use of harmful chlorine. All the pulp comes from managed forests (for every tree felled, three are planted) and Colorplan is manufactured within the UK.

Three years ago, we decided it was time to rethink our branding: from packaging to logo, from delivery boxes to the website. We wanted to bring PAUL THOMAS forward, ensuring that it reflects our ethos and that it speaks to our customers and friends of the brand. We wanted it to communicate our new chapter and who we are: a contemporary luxury brand rooted in an unwavering dedication to craft and over thirty years of history and experience in the industry.

It was then that G . F Smith and PAUL THOMAS first crossed paths. The choice of colour was guided by one of the unmistakable greys that G . F Smith is responsible for. Our brand collateral, packaging, ribbon, print materials, all stem from that core colourway crafted by the skillful people at G . F Smith. Choosing a grey colour scheme as our signature palette was a natural fit for us: the grey enables the flowers to stand out, no matter the season.

As we continue to strive for a more sustainable approach to everything we do, we are thrilled to work closely with G . F Smith and their network of suppliers and makers, aiming to source our materials close to home, as in everything we do.