What's New

CARROLLTON, TX – Sentinel, a global leader in automated ink management solutions, is proud to announce the successful installation of their iPro system at Up2Speed Packaging, located in Miami, Florida. Since being integrated with Up2Speed’s new six-color Komori LITHRONE GX40 Advance press in January, the iPro has delivered measurable improvements in both print quality and operational efficiency.

Over the past three years, Up2Speed has made a strategic shift from commercial printing to packaging, with approximately 90% of its business now dedicated to high-quality packaging solutions for the food and pharmaceutical markets. This transition positioned the company to invest in smarter technologies—and the Sentinel system was a natural fit.

"We heard great feedback from other printers using Sentinel," says Jorge Carmenate, Owner of Up2Speed. "But what sold us was how many problems it solves for our press operators—everything from ink shortages to maintaining consistent color and overall quality."

One of the most significant improvements at Up2Speed has been color consistency. "On our previous press without the Sentinel, you could always see a color shift when a new ink can was put in," Carmenate explains. "With the Sentinel, that problem is gone." The iPro system features an ultrasonic sensor that continually monitors ink levels in the fountain, automatically dispensing a precise and consistent bead of ink. This ensures uniform color throughout the run, reduces waste, and saves valuable makeready time.

Carmenate also points to notable time and labor savings: "Between the labor and ink savings, it's a no-brainer. You just load the cartridge, the system runs until it's empty, and it lets you know when it needs to be replaced. It saves quite a bit of time." It takes less than 10 seconds to load a Sentinel cartridge, which will then run unmonitored until it needs replacing.

"Thanks to our automated technology, operators no longer need to open, stir, pour, or dispose of dozens of ink cans," adds Dave Doucette, Sales Director at Sentinel. "It saves on setup time, minimizes waste, and frees up the press crew to focus on more important aspects of production."

Despite the advanced technology at work, the Sentinel system is remarkably intuitive. "It's extremely user-friendly," says Carmenate. "Once you learn how to navigate it, it's easy. As an old pressman, I just think: 'I wish I had this years ago on the press I used to run.'"

With Sentinel's iPro system in place, Up2Speed is well-positioned to continue delivering premium packaging with greater speed, consistency, and confidence—further solidifying their growing success in this demanding and competitive market.