What Cronite does

Cronite Co., Inc. is a privately-held, family-owned manufacturer of flat stamping intaglio printing equipment, specialty inks, and related supplies, founded in 1886 in New York and headquartered since 1989 in a 60,000 sq ft facility at 120 East Halsey Road, Parsippany, New Jersey. The company's core technology is intaglio — a flat stamping process that forces ink into paper fibers under high pressure to produce raised, tactile images that cannot be reproduced by photocopiers, scanners, or computers. Cronite designs and builds a three-tier press platform (3 x 8¾, 5 x 9, and 7 x 11 Hi-Speed models, producing 4,500-10,000 impressions per hour) and surrounds it with proprietary accessories including the High Speed 8000 Autofeed, Continuous Feeder, Cascade Pneumatic Feeder, Telestacker Drier, Super-Etch and Tru-Etch etching machines, Chrome Plating and Chrome Filtration systems, Fume Scrubber, NuArc Exposure Unit, Zero Engraving Machine pantograph, and Kallen Environmental systems. The ink portfolio, sold under the Cronite Inks brand, spans KB water-based acrylic inks, KBV varnish-based inks, KB Gloss, Ultra Metallic and Colored Metallic lines, the Cronite Data System (Pantone-licensed color matching with 12 mono-pigmented bases), and a full Security Inks range (fluorescent, infra-red excitable, magnetic, thermochromatic, photochromatic, solvent/water-sensitive, optical shifting, pearlescent). Burial vault paints are sold under KromeBrite, and environmental/waste-handling equipment under Kallen Environmental.

The company's revenue model is direct sale of capital equipment plus recurring consumables (inks, parts, accessories, training materials), with distribution handled exclusively through direct customer contact — phone (973-887-7900) and email ([email protected]) — backed by an online product catalog, the company's website, and selective trade show participation (most recently DRUPA 2024 in Düsseldorf). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; quotes are provided on inquiry, and used/reconditioned equipment is offered alongside new units. The customer base is segmented across use cases rather than verticals: security document producers (passports, visas, secure checks, birth/death certificates, diplomas, tax stamps, anti-counterfeiting packaging) is the primary segment, followed by luxury packaging and stationery (perfumes, wines, high-end invitations), the engraved stationery industry, and burial vault manufacturers. Geographic presence is US-anchored with claimed global reach through equipment and inks shipped worldwide.

Cronite has been continuously owned and led by the Steffens family since Frank N. Steffens acquired the business in 1904: Robert N. Steffens joined in 1932, Edmund A. Gillis in 1934, and Robert S. Steffens — the current President — in 1970. Operating companies and sub-brands include Cronite Secure (anti-counterfeiting document solutions), Cronite Engraved (elegant stationery and luxury packaging), Cronite Inks (master ink brand), KromeBrite (vault paints), Kallen Environmental (prepress waste handling), and the Zero Engraving Machine pantograph line. The company has no subsidiaries, no external investors, no public listing, and no disclosed revenue, funding, or headcount metrics.

Name

Cronite

Legal name

Cronite Co., Inc.

Website

https://cronite.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1886

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cronite Co., Inc. is a privately-held, family-owned manufacturer of flat stamping intaglio printing presses, inks, and supplies founded in 1886 and headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, serving security document producers, luxury packaging firms, engraved stationers, and burial vault manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Printing Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Printing Ink Manufacturing (32591)

SIC

Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)

akta.pro primary industry

Packaging Inks (IMAEAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Prepress, Plate-Making & Artwork Services (IMALAKAM)

Keywords

• Intaglio printing presses
• Security document printing
• Flat stamping equipment
• Specialty printing inks
• Anti-counterfeiting printing

Headquarters

HQ city

Parsippany

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Intaglio Press Equipment Sales: Manufacture and sale of flat stamping intaglio presses in various sizes (3x8, 5x9, 7x11) along with attachments and used/reconditioned equipment
2. Printing Inks and Supplies: Water-based acrylic KB inks, varnish-based inks, metallic inks, security inks, and burial vault paints sold in various sizes (7lb cans, 3.5 gal pails)
3. Equipment Accessories and Parts: Sheet feeders, driers, etching machines, chrome plating systems, and comprehensive catalog of press supplies, counter materials, plate holders, inking accessories
4. Environmental Equipment: Sale of Kallen environmental systems for handling photographic film and offset plate solution waste, fume scrubbers, and chrome filtration units

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cronite manufactures and sells flat stamping intaglio printing presses (3x8¾, 5x9, and 7x11 Hi-Speed models), a full line of specialty printing inks (water-based acrylic KB inks, varnish-based KBV inks, KB Gloss inks, metallic inks, and security inks), and supporting equipment such as sheet feeders, Telestacker driers, etching machines, chrome plating systems, fume scrubbers, and pantograph engraving machines. Its products are used by security document producers (passports, visas, checks, certificates, tax stamps), engraved stationery printers, and luxury packaging manufacturers worldwide. The company also offers environmental systems (Kallen), burial vault paints (KromeBrite), and color matching technology (CDS) under related brand lines.

Product overview

Cronite is a 138-year-old manufacturing company (founded 1886) and self-described world leader in flat stamping intaglio printing equipment, inks, and supplies. The product portfolio is organized as a platform of complementary product lines rather than a single software product. The core platform consists of four versions of flat stamping intaglio presses (3 x 8¾ Conventional Hi-Speed, 3 x 8¾ Short Stroke Hi-Speed, 5 x 9 Hi-Speed, and 7 x 11 Hi-Speed), all designed for secure document and luxury stationery printing. These presses are augmented by a suite of accessory equipment including the High Speed 8000 Autofeed, Continuous Feeder, Cascade Pneumatic Feeder, Telestacker Drier, Super-Etch etching machine, Tru-Etch etching machine, Chrome Plating System, Fume Scrubber, Chrome Filtration Unit, NuArc Exposure Unit, Pantograph (Zero Engraving Machine), and Kallen Environmental systems. Cronite's ink portfolio is organized under the Cronite Inks brand and includes the KB Water-Based Acrylic Inks, KBV Varnish-Based Inks, KB Gloss Inks, Ultra Metallic Inks, Colored Metallic Inks, Security Inks, and the Cronite Data System (CDS) for color matching. The KromeBrite brand covers burial vault paints. Products are sold under sub-brands: Cronite Secure (for counterfeit-proof security documents) and Cronite Engraved (for elegant stationery and luxury packaging). The company also publishes educational materials including the Engraved Stationery Handbook, training videos, and technical manuals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cronite Secure: Counterfeit-proof document production using intaglio presses and supplies
• Cronite Inks
• Cronite Engraved
• KromeBrite
• Kallen Environmental
• Zero Engraving Machine

Products and services

• 3 x 8¾ Hi-Speed Press Flat stamping intaglio press available in conventional and short-stroke high-speed variants, capable of 4,500-7,000 impressions per hour (short stroke up to 10,000 IPH), designed for secure document and stationery printing.
• 5 x 9 Hi-Speed Press Mid-size flat stamping intaglio press operating at 4,500-7,000 impressions per hour; can be equipped with sheet feeder, continuous feeder, Telestacker drier, hot foil stamping, and registered hologram attachments.
• 7 x 11 Hi-Speed Press Largest Cronite flat stamping intaglio press with expanded image printing area; compatible with high-speed automatic feeder, continuous feeder, Telestacker drier, hot foil stamping, and registered hologram attachments.
• High Speed 8000 Autofeed Sheet Feeder Pneumatic sheet feeder with photocell sensors that detect missing or double sheets, designed for high-speed operation on Cronite presses; yields 200-300% daily productivity increase.
• Continuous Feeder Cronite-developed feeder supporting paper in pack-to-pack formation and roll-to-roll printing for labels, product authenticity stickers, secure business checks, and tax stamps; controlled by a programmable logic controller with built-in drying loop.
• Cascade Pneumatic Feeder Automatic feeder for card stock and envelopes (3½" x 4¼" to 8" x 10") compatible with Carver, Modern, and Cronite presses; runs at 4,000+ impressions per hour with gripper assembly registration.
• Telestacker Drier Heated, dehumidified air drier for Cronite intaglio presses; belt speed variable from 0-10,000 IPH, adjustable length from 9½' to 15½', available with return belt for operator-side stacking.
• Super-Etch Etching Machine (Model SEA) Compact powderless and conventional etching machine for copper, magnesium, zinc, steel, stainless steel, brass, and aluminum up to ½" thickness; plate sizes up to 16" x 16"; features digital timer, digital temperature controller, 600W heater, safety interlock, and spray/paddle systems.
• Tru-Etch Etching Machine Small automatic paddle etcher for copper, steel, and brass; fully automatic with dial-and-timer depth control; available in standard (11" x 14" work rack) and large (11" x 24" work rack) models.
• Dynamil VRP 100 Precision Spray Etching Machine Larger-format etching machine handling plates up to 12" x 12" using ferric chloride or compatible etchants; PVC construction with titanium hardware and fittings, 3000W titanium heating element, solid-state temperature control, and multi-range cycle timer.
• Dynamil VRP 200 Precision Spray Etching Machine Larger-format etching machine handling plates up to 16" x 16" using ferric chloride or compatible etchants.
• BRE-24 Deep Etching Machine Deep etch and raised-letter etching system with full-cone upward impacting spray; work area from 1" x 1" to 24" x 24"; operates in fixed or oscillating spray manifold mode.
• Zero Engraving Machine (Pantograph) Precision pantograph tracing and engraving machine for producing lettering from masterplates; handles letter sizes from the largest down to a pinpoint; Cronite supplies over 400 alphabet styles and monograms of masterplates.
• Cronite Chrome Plating System Complete hard chrome plating system for steel and copper in a PVC cabinet with 200A/12V DC rectifier, lead-lined steel tank, quartz heater with temperature controller, and recirculating spray rinse tank with ion exchange filters.
• Fume Scrubber Wet scrubber for neutralizing ferric chloride and chrome plating acid fumes; 99.9% efficient at removing gaseous contaminants; uses recirculated water with optional ion exchange filtration for chrome environments.
• Chrome Filtration Unit Stand-alone ion exchange filtration system for chromic acid rinse water; reduces chrome concentration from 20,000+ ppm to 5 ppm in a single pass; closed-loop recirculating system requiring no drain connections.
• Kallen Environmental Products Prepress environmental supplies including wash water additive, SILVER-EX concentrate for keeping wash tanks clean, and evaporators for reducing waste hauling fees from photographic film and offset plate solutions.
• NuArc Exposure Unit (Model 26-1KS) Metal halide exposure unit for photo etching of metal plates and dies; instant-start multi-spectrum lamp with energy-efficient power supply; operates on standard 120V power.
• Tennsmith Foot Shear Precision squaring shear with heavy-duty cast iron construction; triaction ground-alloy tool steel blades; adjustable lower and upper blades; available in foot powered, hydraulic, or air powered configurations.
• KB Water-Based Acrylic Inks Industry-leading water-based acrylic intaglio inks for flat stamping presses; quick drying, shrink as they dry for sharp crisp lines, become water-insoluble and laser-proof once dry; easier press cleanup and environmentally friendly.
• KBV Varnish-Based Inks Solvent-based varnish intaglio inks offering high gloss finish for applications where shine is required; longer shelf life than water-based inks but require solvent cleanup and are not laser-proof.
• KB Gloss Inks Water-based ink line with a gloss finish comparable to varnish inks; environmentally friendlier than varnish-based inks with easier press cleanup; requires special KB Gloss additives.
• Ultra Metallic Inks Premium metallic intaglio inks available in mixed and component form; includes Ultra Bold Gold, Ultra Bright Gold, Ultra Fine Gold, Ultra Fine Copper, and Sterling Silver in 5-6 lb. cans.
• Colored Metallic Inks Colored metallic inks in component form producing two-toned imprints including Rubined Silver, Greened Silver, Blackened Silver, Red-Y Gold, Greened Gold, and Blackened Gold.
• Cronite Data System (CDS) Color Matching Color matching system using 12 mono-pigmented Pure base inks and an extender, controlled for strength and color match during manufacture; enables customers to match thousands of Pantone-licensed colors on-site.
• Security Inks Security inks for flat stamping intaglio and rotary intaglio printing; includes fluorescent (invisible and general), infra-red excitable, magnetic, thermochromatic, photochromatic, solvent/water sensitive bleed inks, optical shifting inks, and pearlescent inks.
• KromeBrite Burial Vault Paint Water-based acrylic paints for burial vaults; available in metallic (gold, silver, copper, black) and non-metallic custom colors; available in spray and roller/brush formulas in 1-gallon, 5-gallon, and 50-gallon containers.
• Press Attachments (Hot Foil Stamping & Registered Hologram) Attachments for Cronite Hi-Speed presses enabling hot foil stamping and application of registered holograms, increasing versatility for security and luxury packaging applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500-7,000 impressions per hour productivity on average with feeder and drier
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Komori Corporation: Japanese printing press manufacturer with a security press portfolio (banknote and high-security sheets) and a broad offset/sheetfed press business. Competes with Cronite in security-grade presses while serving a much larger commercial printing footprint.
• Crane Currency: US-based banknote and security paper manufacturer operating its own intaglio press fleet. A downstream customer of intaglio equipment and consumables as well as an adjacent technology developer in currency security.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (Heidelberg): World's largest manufacturer of sheetfed offset presses with adjacent offerings in security and packaging printing. A broad incumbent that overlaps with Cronite's packaging and security-document end markets at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• De La Rue: UK-based security printer that operates its own intaglio press lines for currency, passports, tax stamps, and identity documents. Overlaps with Cronite as both an end-user and a developer of intaglio production techniques and security inks.
• Giesecke+Devrient: German security technology and currency printing company producing banknotes, passports, and ID documents using intaglio and complementary techniques. Overlaps with Cronite on secure document production and security inks.
• Toyo Ink (Artience): Japanese manufacturer of printing inks and graphic arts materials including security and packaging inks. Overlaps with Cronite's water-based acrylic ink and security ink chemistries.
• Koenig & Bauer (KBA): German press manufacturer that, through its KBA Notasys division, supplies intaglio and security printing presses for banknotes, passports, and security documents. Closest large-scale competitor to Cronite in the intaglio press niche.
• Sun Chemical (DIC): World's largest printing ink manufacturer producing security inks, packaging inks, and specialty inks including intaglio and currency applications. Direct competitor to Cronite's KB ink and security ink product lines.
• Felix Böttcher: German manufacturer of printing inks, varnishes, and rubber blankets for commercial and security printing. A direct comparable to Cronite's ink and consumables business on substrate chemistry and customer base.

Emerging players

• Mark Andy: US-based manufacturer of flexographic and digital printing presses targeting labels, packaging, and security-adjacent converters. Comparable as a niche specialty press manufacturer serving label and packaging security markets similar to Cronite's Continuous Feeder use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cronite-company-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cronite