For Curtis Packaging, high-quality packaging starts with long-term thinking.

Based in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, Curtis Packaging is a 181-year-old folding carton company serving premium markets including health and beauty, confectionery, liquor, sporting goods, and cosmetics. As one of the oldest folding carton companies in North America, Curtis has built its reputation on producing innovative, sustainable packaging for some of the most demanding brands in the market.

That same long-term mindset also guides the company’s approach to pressroom investment. When Curtis added new Koenig & Bauer printing presses, Sentinel Ink Management became an important part of helping the team maximize efficiency, reduce manual ink handling, and maintain better control throughout production.

Helping Operators Stay Focused on the Next Job

With Sentinel Ink Management systems installed on both its Koenig & Bauer 145 and Koenig & Bauer 106 presses, Curtis Packaging has been able to streamline the way ink is managed on press.

Instead of requiring a second pressman to constantly monitor and manually load ink, Sentinel alerts the team with an alarm and flashing light when a cartridge needs to be replaced. The cartridge can then be changed in about 15 seconds, allowing operators to quickly return to more valuable production tasks.

For Curtis, that means second operators can spend more time preparing for the next job, aligning stock, organizing plates, and getting the press ready for the next changeover.

Improving Efficiency Across the Pressroom

Efficiency is a major focus for Curtis Packaging, especially as the company continues to invest in advanced press technology.

By automating ink delivery, Sentinel has helped Curtis move from three operators on a printing press to two. That reduction in manual ink handling has made a meaningful impact on staffing efficiency while allowing the team to stay focused on production rather than constant fountain checks.

With less time spent managing ink by hand, Curtis is able to keep jobs moving more efficiently from one run to the next.

Supporting Better Color Control

Sentinel also helps Curtis maintain a smaller, fresher amount of ink in the fountain at all times.

That consistency supports better color control by allowing the press’s color control system to react faster and stay on target. For a packaging printer serving high-end brands in demanding markets, that level of control is critical.

By helping Curtis reduce manual intervention, improve ink efficiency, and support more consistent color, Sentinel Ink Management plays an important role in keeping the pressroom productive, controlled, and ready for what comes next.