My other choice is to have vertical-grade laminate panels laid up, usually on plywood, though MDF works fine. Customers get a distinctive look, choice of any color in any laminate supplier's line, and a solid cabinet that'll take some abuse and still look great. Other colors of laminate backer are also available, most notably brown. MDF is available with melamine on one side. This product saves a lot of time and looks great.
Nothing beats a melamine interior for kitchen cabinets.
If you like MDF interiors, try spraying your cabs with the backs off. The backs, left off, can be sprayed flat. During the last few years of operation we subcontracted our finishing to a specialist. It allowed us to offer all the latest and greatest custom finishes as well as avoiding the hassles of hazards compliance. The idea had been brewing for some time but became possible when our sheet supplier offered us prefinished birch ply.