Computer fluid dynamic simulations of the metering nip flow were used to assess the process viscosity of the coating colours. The numerical solution was based on a Galerkin/finite element technique that included the deformation of the roll cover to better represent the flow elastohydrodynamics. The Navier-Stokes prediction was compared with experimental measurements of torque and pressure in the metering nip. From the comparisons, the process viscosity determined in a region of shear-dominated flow is the one, among the three models analyzed, that can better describe the hydrodynamics of the metering nip flow. To improve further the fluid flow numerical description, this process viscosity was combined with an adapted transient Cross model. This new semi-analytical rheological model decreased the differences between the numerical and experimental results. The findings also suggested that the model requires further enhancements, topic that will be addressed in future work.