Kernow Coatings Invests in Canon Colorado M5W to Expand Product Development and Print Testing Capabilities
At Kernow Coatings, innovation is at the heart of how we support our customers. We continually invest in the latest technology to develop, test and optimise our specialist coated media, ensuring our customers achieve exceptional performance across a wide range of print applications.
We are delighted to announce our latest investment in a Canon Colorado M5W Large Format UVgel Printer - a fully modular roll-to-roll printer that will enhance our in-house testing, application development, media profiling and product demonstration capabilities.
This investment enables us to evaluate how our materials perform with the latest print technologies, helping customers and partners gain confidence in the performance of Kernow media across applications including wall coverings, floor and wall graphics, signage, banners and displays.
Developing applications through advanced print technology
Understanding how materials perform in real-world print environments is essential to developing innovative coated substrates.
The Canon Colorado M5W allows us to test, profile and demonstrate our products using the latest UVgel technology, giving our technical and development teams greater flexibility to explore new applications while supporting customers with reliable print guidance and validated performance data.
Faster testing and product evaluation
One of the key advantages of UVgel technology is its instant curing capability, allowing test prints and sample production to move through evaluation quickly without extended drying or outgassing times.
This enables us to:
- Accelerate product development and testing
- Produce customer samples more efficiently
- Evaluate new applications across a wider range of media
- Reduce development time between printing, finishing, and performance assessment
The printer's dual-roll capability also allows multiple media types to be loaded simultaneously, making it easier to compare materials and optimise workflows during testing.
Exploring new possibilities with white ink
The Canon Colorado M5W also expands our ability to investigate advanced white ink applications across our coated media.
Multi-layer printing, including white/image/white and white/black/white, allows us to evaluate opportunities such as:
- Double-sided transparent graphics
- Enhanced opacity and block-out effects
- Window graphics
- Retail, exhibition, and interior décor applications
These capabilities help us demonstrate what's possible with Kernow materials while supporting customers in selecting the most suitable products for their applications.
Evaluating premium finishes with FLXfinish+
The Canon Colorado M5W features FLXfinish+ technology, enabling matte, gloss or combined matte-and-gloss effects within a single print pass.
This allows us to assess how different finishes interact with our coated substrates and demonstrate enhanced visual effects without requiring additional varnishes or coatings.
Using these capabilities, we can evaluate:
- Premium decorative finishes
- Surface appearance and texture
- Colour performance across different media
- Creative possibilities for interior décor and specialist graphics
The investment also strengthens our ability to optimise print performance across our product portfolio through detailed media profiling, ensuring customers have access to accurate print settings and proven application guidance.
What this investment means for our customers
The Canon Colorado M5W enables Kernow Coatings to:
- Accelerate product development and innovation
- Validate performance across new applications
- Produce high-quality samples and demonstration prints
- Develop accurate media profiles and print recommendations
- Showcase the creative potential of Kernow coated media
While we are not a commercial print provider, this investment strengthens our ability to support customers, OEM partners, converters and print professionals with the testing and application development needed to maximise the performance of our products.
Investing in the future of print
At Kernow Coatings, we are committed to investing in technology that advances material innovation and supports our customers' success.
The addition of the Canon Colorado M5W represents another step in our commitment to developing market-leading coated media, validating performance on the latest print technologies, and helping customers unlock new creative possibilities through informed product development and application testing.
To learn more about our specialist coated media, testing capabilities, or to discuss your application requirements, contact the Kernow Coatings team at https://kernowcoatings.com/pages/contact.