CanJET digital proofing ecosystem launches in North America for metal cans
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X-Rite Pantone, Sun Chemical, and CMA Imaging have announced the commercial availability of the CanJET digital proofing ecosystem in North America, giving beverage brands, can makers, and packaging converters a way to match color and opacity directly on aluminum cans.
The connected workflow combines CMA Imaging’s CanJET printing system, Sun Chemical’s extended color gamut inks, PantoneLIVE digital color references, and X-Rite measurement technology. The companies say the solution can reduce proofing iterations and accelerate design approvals before production.
CanJET received a Bronze Innovation Award at METPACK 2026. The workflow is designed to provide a faster and more flexible alternative to conventional pilot-line proofing and prototyping.
“On metal, matching a colour also means matching its opacity, because the reflective surface contributes to the final appearance,” said Gerardo Cerros, Founder and CEO of CMA Imaging.
By combining CMA Imaging’s reflective technology and AI-powered color matching with PantoneLIVE, X-Rite color measurement, and Sun Chemical’s ink expertise, Cerros said CanJET turns a traditionally complex proofing process into a connected digital workflow.
The system allows brands to measure, refine, and validate both color and opacity directly on the can against shared digital targets. According to Cerros, this can reduce repeated sampling and support faster design decisions.
“We use the CanJET digital proofing workflow because we need accurate proofs and flexibility in color development. It allows us to explore new color references with brands and assess Pantone colors directly on metal cans, making colour research part of the design and printability conversation,” said Renaud van Cauter, Operations Director at KCP Connexion, a global packaging design and premedia company headquartered in Belgium.
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Connecting color from target to approval
PantoneLIVE metal decoration libraries provide more than 4,000 achievable color options across metal packaging formats and finishes. These references give brands and supply chain partners digital targets for color development.
Using spectral data captured with the X-Rite Ci64 handheld spectrophotometer, Colorportal’s cloud-based platform enables remote proofing and uses AI-powered color matching to optimize color and opacity against PantoneLIVE references or customers’ own brand color libraries.
CanJET combines high-resolution direct-to-can printing with Sun Chemical’s extended color gamut inks to produce proofs and prototypes directly on open, closed, and necked cans.
Packaging teams can therefore assess the appearance of a design on the actual can before production, supporting the approval process and reducing the need for repeated physical samples.
Powered by Sun Chemical inks and color expertise, CanJET forms part of Sun Chemical’s SunDigiProof service within SunColorBox, its integrated color management toolkit.
SunDigiProof enables color-accurate inkjet swatches and mock-ups to be printed onsite and on demand. This allows brands and supply chain partners to explore color and design options and verify achievability before production.
“PantoneLIVE provides a shared digital colour target based on what can realistically be achieved in metal decoration,” said Jason Campbell, Product Manager at X-Rite Pantone. “When paired with spectral measurement and direct-to-can proofing, it helps align design intent with production expectations.”
“As part of our SunDigiProof service, CanJET helps packaging producers reduce trial work, improve control over colour approval and protect their customers’ brand equity,” said Richard Hayden, Sales and Business Development Manager at Sun Chemical.
New workflow combines direct-to-can printing, digital color references, and measurement technology to streamline packaging approvals
X-Rite Pantone, Sun Chemical, and CMA Imaging have announced the commercial availability of the CanJET digital proofing ecosystem in North America, giving beverage brands, can makers, and packaging converters a way to match color and opacity directly on aluminum cans.
The connected workflow combines CMA Imaging’s CanJET printing system, Sun Chemical’s extended color gamut inks, PantoneLIVE digital color references, and X-Rite measurement technology. The companies say the solution can reduce proofing iterations and accelerate design approvals before production.
CanJET received a Bronze Innovation Award at METPACK 2026. The workflow is designed to provide a faster and more flexible alternative to conventional pilot-line proofing and prototyping.
“On metal, matching a colour also means matching its opacity, because the reflective surface contributes to the final appearance,” said Gerardo Cerros, Founder and CEO of CMA Imaging.
By combining CMA Imaging’s reflective technology and AI-powered color matching with PantoneLIVE, X-Rite color measurement, and Sun Chemical’s ink expertise, Cerros said CanJET turns a traditionally complex proofing process into a connected digital workflow.
The system allows brands to measure, refine, and validate both color and opacity directly on the can against shared digital targets. According to Cerros, this can reduce repeated sampling and support faster design decisions.
“We use the CanJET digital proofing workflow because we need accurate proofs and flexibility in color development. It allows us to explore new color references with brands and assess Pantone colors directly on metal cans, making colour research part of the design and printability conversation,” said Renaud van Cauter, Operations Director at KCP Connexion, a global packaging design and premedia company headquartered in Belgium.
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Connecting color from target to approval
PantoneLIVE metal decoration libraries provide more than 4,000 achievable color options across metal packaging formats and finishes. These references give brands and supply chain partners digital targets for color development.
Using spectral data captured with the X-Rite Ci64 handheld spectrophotometer, Colorportal’s cloud-based platform enables remote proofing and uses AI-powered color matching to optimize color and opacity against PantoneLIVE references or customers’ own brand color libraries.
CanJET combines high-resolution direct-to-can printing with Sun Chemical’s extended color gamut inks to produce proofs and prototypes directly on open, closed, and necked cans.
Packaging teams can therefore assess the appearance of a design on the actual can before production, supporting the approval process and reducing the need for repeated physical samples.
Powered by Sun Chemical inks and color expertise, CanJET forms part of Sun Chemical’s SunDigiProof service within SunColorBox, its integrated color management toolkit.
SunDigiProof enables color-accurate inkjet swatches and mock-ups to be printed onsite and on demand. This allows brands and supply chain partners to explore color and design options and verify achievability before production.
“PantoneLIVE provides a shared digital colour target based on what can realistically be achieved in metal decoration,” said Jason Campbell, Product Manager at X-Rite Pantone. “When paired with spectral measurement and direct-to-can proofing, it helps align design intent with production expectations.”
“As part of our SunDigiProof service, CanJET helps packaging producers reduce trial work, improve control over colour approval and protect their customers’ brand equity,” said Richard Hayden, Sales and Business Development Manager at Sun Chemical.
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