Colex: The Photographic Pioneer That Conquered Wide-Format Finishing

By the Editor

The history of Colex Finishing Solutions is a fascinating study in corporate adaptation. While many digital finishing companies were born out of the CNC machining or sign-making industries, Colex traces its lineage back to the darkrooms of the photographic era [1]. The journey from manufacturing chemical photo processors to producing state-of-the-art digital flatbed cutters highlights a company that successfully navigated one of the most profound technological disruptions in modern history: the transition from analog photography to digital imaging.

The Colenta and Crystal Lineage

To understand Colex, one must look back to 1972, when the company was established by Werner Waden [1]. In its early years, Colex was deeply entrenched in the photographic equipment industry. The company operated alongside and distributed equipment for Colenta Labortechnik, an Austrian manufacturer renowned for its film and paper developing systems [2]. Colenta, often described as a "dinosaur of the Photographic industry," produced robust processor options for developing films, including specialized NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) films and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) processors [2] [3].

Under Werner Waden's leadership, Colex became a dominant force in the U.S. photographic market. The company manufactured and distributed Crystal imaging machines and Colenta processors, eventually placing more than 6,000 photo processors—some up to 80 inches wide—across the United States, in addition to exporting to over 50 countries [1]. For decades, if a professional lab was developing large-format photographic prints, there was a high probability they were using equipment supplied by Colex.

Navigating the Digital Disruption

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the photographic industry faced an existential crisis. The advent of digital photography and wide-format inkjet printing began to rapidly erode the market for traditional chemical processing. Professional photo labs were either closing or transitioning to digital print production.

Faced with a shrinking core market, Colex had to adapt. The company recognized that while the method of producing large images was changing from chemical development to digital inkjet printing, the need to finish those images remained. Wide-format prints still needed to be trimmed, cut, and routed. Leveraging its extensive experience in manufacturing wide-format equipment and its deep relationships with imaging professionals, Colex pivoted its entire product line toward the booming wide-format printing industry [1].

The Fotoba Partnership and the Sharpcut

The transition into digital finishing was accelerated by strategic partnerships. Colex became the exclusive distributor in North America for Fotoba, an Italian manufacturer of high-speed X/Y cutters [1]. Fotoba cutters, which utilized optical sensors to rapidly trim roll-fed prints, were the perfect complement to the new wave of wide-format roll printers. This partnership provided Colex with a strong foothold in the digital finishing space and even earned them the SGIA Product of the Year award in 2010 [1].

However, the market was also demanding solutions for rigid substrates. As UV flatbed printers gained popularity, print service providers needed automated flatbed cutters to route acrylic, cut foam board, and crease corrugated plastics. Recognizing this need, Colex designed and manufactured its own solution: the Sharpcut Flatbed Cutter [1].

"Colex offers full service always paying attention to our customer’s needs. 'Affordability Meets Productivity' is our motto. Our products and services are guaranteed to deliver the productivity and reliability essential to our customers’ success." — Colex Finishing Solutions [1]

The Sharpcut was engineered with a specific philosophy: to provide a complete turnkey cutting solution that was exceptionally affordable without compromising on quality. By offering a versatile 5' x 10' (and later 10' x 10') flatbed cutter at a competitive price point, Colex opened the doors of automated finishing to mid-sized print shops that had previously been priced out of the market [1].

Production Impact and Undeniable Legacy

The introduction of the Sharpcut was a massive success. Colex rapidly scaled its manufacturing, eventually selling over 1,000 Sharpcut machines [1]. Headquartered in Oakland, New Jersey, the company built a robust manufacturing and demonstration facility, allowing customers to test the equipment firsthand [1].

Colex's impact on production today is defined by its democratization of automated finishing. By providing affordable, high-quality flatbed cutters and high-speed X/Y trimmers, Colex enabled countless print service providers to automate their workflows, reduce labor costs, and expand into new applications like packaging and custom displays.

The legacy of Colex is a powerful reminder that technological disruption does not have to mean the end of a business. By recognizing shifting market dynamics and leveraging its core competencies in wide-format equipment manufacturing, the company that once built chemical photo processors successfully transformed itself into a recognized global leader in digital cutting technology.

References

[1] Colex Finishing Solutions. "About Us." https://www.colex.com/wide-format-digital-cutting-finishing/ [2] Colenta Labortechnik GmbH. "PHOTO." https://www.colenta.at/2025/photo/ [3] Matrix Electronics. "Colenta Film Processors and Silver Recovery System." https://www.matrixelectronics.com/products/imaging-phototools/colenta-film-processors-and-silver-recovery-system/