About FAS | Fine Art Supples NZ Ltd

Welcome to FAS Paints, your go-to for premium fine art supplies and educational paints from New Zealand. With over 50 years of expertise, we ensure top-notch quality and safety in every product.

Our paints undergo rigorous testing by international safety labs and meet global standards. Each batch is scrutinised in our on-site lab, guaranteeing consistent quality. FAS bottles are recyclable, contributing to a sustainable future. Safety comes first at FAS Paints.

FAS Paints' ammonia-free products ensure your peace of mind. The material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each product are regularly updated and can be found on each product page on this website.

Our junior products, like Super Tempera and Total Wash, are gluten-free, fostering safe and creative experiences for young artists.

Choose FAS Paints for a journey marked by quality, safety, and sustainability in your artistic endeavours.

FAS Super Tempera in NZ School 1972

FAS History

Est: 1970

How FAS got started

Founded by Frank Aitkin Smith (FAS) in the late 1960s, FAS began its journey when Frank, a professional paint chemist in Auckland, New Zealand, started crafting art paints, ink, and dyes in his home garage during his spare time. Successfully selling these products in art stores across New Zealand, FAS officially became Fine Art Supplies Ltd in January 1970.

In 1972, the New Zealand Government Educational Department (NZED) sought high-quality paints for the New Zealand School Market. Finding no suitable products that met their safety and colour standards, NZED approached FAS. Tasked with formulating educational art and crafts paints to meet the new standards, FAS swiftly became the leading brand of educational paints in New Zealand schools.

Guided by the philosophy of "Quality First," Frank Aitkin Smith (FAS) believed that every child deserves the opportunity to paint with a Fine Art Paint. Committed to producing affordable, vibrant colours for school children, FAS stands out in an industry often focused on lower-priced products that result in a diminished painting experience for kids.

The FAS product range has expanded to include Total Wash, Super Tempera, Student Acrylic, Fastex fabric inks, professional face paints, and school inks. Today, FAS continues its history with the same passion and commitment to providing "Fine Art Supplies" for generations to come.

FAS founder Frank Aitkin Smith (FAS)

We are a trade only supplier

FAS | Fine Art Supplies NZ Ltd caters to the educational product market both within New Zealand and internationally. Operating entirely from New Zealand, we maintain control over prices and ensure a streamlined supply chain.

To maintain focus on our core business, we refrain from selling directly to end-users, including the general public, teachers, group leaders, or individual schools. If you belong to any of these groups, please visit our "Find a Reseller" page to locate your nearest stockist.

FAS Super Tempera 1971

FAS Super Tempera in NZ Schools 1970s

FAS
Production

FAS Production

Non-Toxic and Environmentally Friendly packaging: Our products adhere to international safety standards (ASTM D4237 & CE) and are crafted with non-toxic and eco-friendly formulations.
Global Presence: FAS | Fine Art Supplies Ltd, located in Auckland, New Zealand, proudly exports its products worldwide.
Stringent Testing: Every paint batch undergoes comprehensive testing, with on-site retention of batch samples for five years.
Local Manufacturing: All paints are produced on-site in New Zealand, ensuring quality and safety.
Safe for School children: FAS paints meet non-toxic standards, providing a safe creative experience for schoolchildren.
Recyclable Packaging: Our commitment to the environment is reflected in packaging that can be recycled, aligning with the principles of Reduce - Reuse - Recycle.
Allergy-Friendly: FAS paints are designed to be allergy-friendly, promoting a safe environment for users.
Total Wash Guarantee: FAS Total Wash Paint ensures easy removal from all clothing, emphasizing our dedication to washability.
Washable Formulas: FAS paints, glues, and inks are washable from both skin and most clothing, simplifying cleanup.
Ethical Business Practices: As members of Sedex, we prioritize ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains, ensuring full supplier traceability.

FAS | International

FAS Paints in Indonesia

FAS Paints in Singapore

FAS Paints in South Korea

FAS Paints in Cambodia

FAS Paints in Nigeria

FAS TV Documentary 1980's

During the 1980s, Auckland Teachers College created an instructional paint documentary for New Zealand television, featuring FAS paints.

This video series was an integral component of the art teaching program at Auckland Teachers College during that decade.

You can now access this series of four videos on YouTube. Check them out below:

Causes we support

Connect the Dots Charitable Trust is a Nonprofit organisation. The running of each of our programmes is entirely funded through partners, grants, and in-kind support. Your support will allow us to continue to provide free, high quality creative art workshops that encourage confidence, community, and creativity.

Click here to: Make a Donation to Connect The Dots

Starship Children’s Hospital: Starship is a dedicated paediatric healthcare service and major teaching centre based in Auckland. They provide family centred care to children and young people throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Starship aims to enable every family in New Zealand access to world leading child healthcare and experiences.

To donate please click here: DONATE

SPCA: The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has been a voice for animal welfare for over 127 years. Their mission is to encourage the humane treatment of all animals and to prevent cruelty being inflicted upon them, along with providing educational programmes to teach compassion and responsible behaviour towards animals.

If you wish to donate please click here: DONATE