UpClose had its start in March of 1987. Peter Schmidt, Owner and President, owned a local rent a car franchise. All customers were from out of town. A resident of Champaign-Urbana since 1965, his father Kurt was the manager of Lincoln Square shopping center and his mother, Barbara, was an active volunteer throughout the community, Peter has local roots and wanted to be able to be more involved in the Champaign Urbana area.

A typing service and several copy shops on the University campus were purchased. Several names were used including Clean Machine, Quick Copy, Quick Print and BluePrints etc... Peter bought the stores and typing service and created a new company, UpClose Graphics, Inc., named after the street he grew up on in his native Rhodesia.

Peter learned several things these first three years. Multiple store names and numerous locations were confusing. Staff, mainly part time students, were not properly trained. Store managers only dealt with problems. Typing sales, from IBM electrics accounted for 50% of total sales. This did not bode well for the upcoming computer era. Sales efforts were random and not targeted. A plan was needed quickly, before losses and dwindling cash flow led the the failure of yet another of America's small businesses.

Stores were consolidated from six to 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. 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 capacities were reviewed for sales focuses. A database was created of existing customers and prospects for direct mail and phone follow ups. Continual reviews of financial statements and cash flows were made to monitor progress

Customer needs dictated that additional equipment and products were needed. Customers wanted to be able to deal with one place for their design, copying, printing and mailing needs.

Printing equipment was added to enable a shift from black and white copies to printing. Multi-color, high quality presses were added to allow for higher quality multi-color and 4 color process printing.

Design and graphics department were expanded to better support design and print needs.

For short run and quick turnaround capabilities, color copiers were added to fulfill short run color needs. High speed black and white copiers handled the need for larger copying.

Upgraded network capabilities, job pricing, and job tracking software were added to respond to customer needs more quickly.

Finishing equipment added to the production of quicker turnaround for perfectly bound books, booklets, perforations, numbering, and shrink wrapping.

Mailing services assist customers with their mailing and direct mail needs along with dealing with the multitude of regulations from the US Post Office.

Web site, file transfer protocol (FTP site) and e-mail capabilities to allow customers to send files more easily and communicate with their Service Representatives.

Computer to Plate for the printing press was added for efficiency and a better quality product with greater productivity.

UpClose added a Marketing initiative and changed our name to UpClose marketing and Printing. With the word copy phased out and being replaced with digital printing, customers were needing more than a service representative to take orders. Customers needed a consulting team to help with their marketing and printed image needs.

Sign, Poster, and Banner equipment was added to take advantage of the need for larger print and image needs.

New mission statement and slogan were adopted to more accurately reflect the UpClose focus.

UpClose Marketing and Printing has a goal to simplify all the choices customers have for their marketing, design, signage, printing, copying, and mailing needs.