Curtis Packaging Combines 180-Year Legacy With Modern Ink Automation from Sentinel

Sentinel, a provider of automated ink management solutions, is proud to announce the successful installation of its iPro Ink Management System on their new Koenig & Bauer Rapida 145 offset press at Curtis Packaging’s headquarters in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

With 181 years of continuous operation at the same site since its founding in 1845, Curtis Packaging is recognized as the oldest folding carton manufacturer in North America. It has long been at the forefront of print technology, becoming the first in the US to adopt UV printing as early as 1963. Today, Curtis serves premium markets including health and beauty, confectionery, liquor, and sporting goods, where packaging quality and brand presentation are critical.

“We supply the best brands within those markets, and they require very high quality, innovative, and sustainable packaging,” said Kerry Brown, Chief Operating Officer. “Therefore, we have to partner with the best suppliers and have the best processes and approaches.”

That philosophy is reflected in Curtis’ adoption of Sentinel’s Ink Management Systems, now integrated across its 10-color Rapida 145 and Rapida 106 presses. At the core of their ink management is the Sentinel iPro, which uses ultrasonic sensing to continuously monitor ink levels in the fountain and automatically replenish ink precisely where it is needed.

The result is a more streamlined and efficient pressroom. According to Paul Jeannenot, Printing Manager at Curtis Packaging, the system has significantly improved day-to-day operations. “Before Sentinel, our pressman had to constantly monitor ink levels and scoop ink from buckets,” Jeannenot explained. “That was messy and often led to waste if too much ink was added.” The iPro system now monitors levels for them, and operators only need to step in when alerted.

Those alerts signal when a cartridge needs replacing, a process that takes as little as 15 seconds. With less manual intervention required, press operators can stay focused on maintaining low makeready times and press performance. This increased efficiency has also translated into labor savings, enabling Curtis to reduce staffing per press from three operators to two.

Beyond productivity improvements, the iPro system has delivered a measurable advantage in print quality. By maintaining a smaller, more precise volume of ink in each fountain, the system enhances responsiveness and color consistency. “We notice much better color control,” Jeannenot added. “Sentinel allows our color management system to react faster and keep us on target.”

Waste reduction has been another major benefit, with ink disposal during color changes dropping dramatically. “When we do a color change, we no longer throw away five pounds of ink, it’s now closer to one pound,” said Jeannenot. This improvement aligns closely with Curtis’ strong environmental commitments.

The company operates as a 100% carbon-neutral facility, recycles 98% of post-production materials, and maintains zero landfill waste. “We’re very proud of our environmental position,” comments Brown. “We work closely with our community, customers, and suppliers to operate in a truly sustainable manner.”

For Curtis Packaging, investments like Sentinel’s system are part of a broader long-term vision. “We're proud to work with Sentinel. As a company that’s been in business for more than 180 years, we see ourselves as stewards of the industry,” Brown explains. “That long-term perspective drives us to build solid partnerships and continuously bring innovation to our customers.”

Sentinel shares that outlook. “Curtis Packaging exemplifies the powerful combination of legacy and innovation,” said David Doucette, Director of Sales at Sentinel. “They have a strong track record of investing in the right technology, and we value partnering with a company that takes that approach.”

Source: Sentinel Ink Management Systems