Grafico raises the bar with The Block’s DIY Wallpaper Challenge

Channel Nine’s prime time TV show “The Block” is known for pushing contestants to deliver unique rooms in notoriously tight timeframes and that’s exactly what happened when The Block threw down its latest challenge. Set in Daylesford, Victoria, the show tasked contestants with turning hand-painted artwork into bespoke wallpaper, all in a single day.

Damien Corney and his team from Grafico who are now in their 11^th season on The Block, partnered with Steven Badger and the team from Canon Production Printing to deliver this unique challenge.

The episode, filmed earlier this year, showcased the entire journey where five groups of contestants each created a unique artwork. These artworks were then captured using Canon imaging technology, digitised, and printed as custom wallpaper using the Canon Colorado. The result? One-of-a-kind feature walls that reflected the contestants' personal styles completed from design to finished print in a day.

Damien described it as a "mega day" requiring all hands on deck. "We've had print techs, production teams, design staff, everyone here to make it happen. From filming to finished wallpaper, it all happened in hours," he said. "It really shows what's possible when you have the right technology and team."

For a show built on speed, Canon’s Colorado printer delivered. Grafico relied on its precision and turnaround time to meet the challenge. "The Block is all about making fast decisions and executing quickly. We needed a printer we could depend on for accurate, high-quality results in record time," Damien explained. "The Canon Colorado's performance allowed us to do just that."

“To see the journey from a physical artwork to digitally printed wallpaper within hours was absolutely amazing,” said Steven Badger, Head of Sales & Professional Services, Canon Production Printing. “This kind of turnaround is only possible with technology like the Colorado.”

But it wasn’t just about speed. The challenge reflected bigger design trends that Grafico sees gaining traction in 2025. According to Damien, wallpaper is enjoying a renaissance. From Australian flora and fauna to hand-drawn designs, patterns are getting more personal and more refined. "We’re seeing a shift from bold, bright tropicals to softer, textured designs like linen-look palms," he noted. "And classic patterns like stripes and checks are making a comeback too perfect for those who want to add warmth and interest without committing to a full mural."

Damien also highlighted the increasing demand for customised wall coverings. "No one wants to just pick something out of a catalogue anymore. Clients want wallpapers that reflect their personality or work with the specific tones and colour palette of their room.”

So, will this set a new expectation for speed and personalisation in interior design? Damien thinks so. "The types of custom printed products demonstrated here is something we achieve for clients every day. Seeing it on TV just brings more awareness to what’s possible."