At UpClose, we love what we do. The passion we have for our work enables us to take ownership of our clients' projects. We constantly strive to deliver the highest-quality products possible.

There is no greater satisfaction than delivering a finished product that helps a client reach their goals and objectives. To learn more about our approach to customer service, follow the provided links for more information.

Mission Statement

At UpClose Marketing and Printing we have a very high standard for customer service. Our strategy is to provide our clients with marketing, printing, and copying needs with a superior level of professionalism and quality.

Being a business partner with UpClose, we will connect with you to create and develop innovative ideas to acomplish the best solution for your business goals.

Company History

In March of 1987, Peter Schmidt purchased a typing service and several copy shops that were for sale on the University of Illinois campus. Several names were used, including Clean Machine, Quick Copy, and Quick Print. When he bought the stores and typing service he created a new company, UpClose Graphics, Inc., named after the street he grew up on in his native Rhodesia, South Africa.

Peter learned several things in the first three years. Multiple store names and numerous locations were confusing. Staff was untrained. Top managers only dealt with problems. Sales efforts were random and not targeted. A plan was needed and quickly before losses and dwindling cash flow led to a failed small business.

Stores were consolidated from six to the current two. Names were changed to UpClose Copies for the campus market and UpClose Printing for the Champaign-Urbana market. A shift was made from part time staff to full time staff and in-depth product training was initiated.
Organizational charts and job descriptions were revised for clear and fluid managerial and operational control. The overriding focus for any decision was shifted to customer satisfaction.

The product mix was carefully reviewed. Surveys and comment cards were sent to customers, productivity standards and capacity were reviewed for sales focuses. A database was created of existing customer and prospects for direct mail and phone follow-ups. Continual reviews of financial statements and cash flows were made to monitor progress.

As customer needs dictated, new equipment and products were added.

These included:
Printing equipment to enable a shift from black and white copies to print

Design and graphics departments to better support the print needs

Color copies to enhance short run color needs

Multi-color, high-quality presses to allow for four color printing

Upgraded network capabilities and job pricing and job tracking software for quicker response

Finishing equipment to quickly produce perfectly bound books, booklets, and perforations

Mailing services to assist customers with mailing their printing and copied pieces

Web site and email capabilities to allow customers to send files

Connected high speed black and white copies as well as full color copies directly from customer disks

And we are not done yet…
UpClose has just added UpClose Marketing. This new division, headed by Kay Machula, UpClose Vice President, will focus on:
Creating a marketing budget and marketing plan

Regularly scheduled meetings to update and stay on the plan

Design and implementation of new products, logos, newsletters, campaigns, and much more

As you see, UpClose has come a long way in its seventeen years. Ten employees have been with UpClose for over eight years. Support to local not for profit companies is high.

And, as always, customers still come first. Our decisions are always based on your needs.