Printed Specialties, a fourth-generation folding carton and packaging printer, has enhanced its pressroom operations with the installation of Sentinel’s iPro Ink Management System. Installed in late 2024 on the company’s Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 sheetfed press, the system has already delivered measurable gains in uptime, consistency, and ink waste reduction.

Located just outside Atlanta, Printed Specialties serves a wide array of industries, producing high-quality packaging for media, consumer goods, and promotional materials. The investment in Sentinel’s iPro aligns with President Greg Smith’s vision to elevate pressroom efficiency. “Replacing our two older presses with a new KBA 106 Rapida gave us the opportunity to add the Ink Sentinels,” said Kenny Lynn, General Manager. “It’s been a smart move—we’re managing ink more efficiently and cutting down on spoilage.”

At the core of the iPro system is an ultrasonic sensor that monitors ink levels in the fountain and automatically dispenses ink as needed. This automation minimizes skinning, speeds up color changes, and reduces ink waste. “There’s a clear cost savings,” Lynn noted. “Ink distribution is much more even, and it takes just seconds to swap out canisters.”

Beyond waste reduction, the most significant impact has been increased operator flexibility. “The system alerts our team when the canister is low, and they can change it in under three seconds,” Lynn explained. “It means our press crew can focus on quality control and printing, not babysitting ink levels.”

Sentinel’s Sales Director David Doucette emphasized the broader impact of the partnership: “With the iPro system in place, Printed Specialties is maximizing their uptime and delivering more sustainable, precise results. We're proud to support their mission of innovation and print excellence.”

This installation reinforces Printed Specialties' long-standing commitment to investing in smart technologies that drive performance, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.