ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. - Specialized Output Printing, Inc. in Waukesha, Wis., hopes to be the best silent partner a printing company ever had. Owner Russ Brock launched the wide-format trade shop in 2011 to produce jobs for other printers that require special equipment or as overflow. The startup firm's Screen Truepress Jet2500UV grand-format inkjet printer is giving clients flawless output, fast turnarounds and remarkable substrate flexibility.

"A huge void exists in terms of commercial printers that may operate wide-format machines but don't really emphasize that part of their business and digital print shops that aren't able to fully develop their capabilities," Brock said. "We plan to be a hot laser instead of a headlight - to be the best at inkjet printing for the trade. Printing companies can send us their overflow work or new work they've been turning away and not have to worry about it being done well and on time."

Brock got his start in the prepress side of printing in the graphic arts dealer network in the 1970s. Over the years, he became fascinated by the possibilities color inkjet printing offered.

"I've visited many different shops and observed the strengths and weaknesses of every combination of wide-format inkjet system," Brock explained. "I always wanted to get directly involved in inkjet printing but was never in the right position to make it happen."

That is, until recently. Brock installed the Truepress Jet2500UV along with board-cutting equipment in a 4,000-square-foot manufacturing space. Specialized Output Printing has the option to double its production space if necessary. Brock selected CGS Publishing Technologies' ORIS Color Tuner//Web professional contract proofing system.

"We will run 'lean and mean' in the early days of the company, though not at the expense of serving our customers," Brock said. "Quality is first and foremost. Every one of our staff of five has years of hands-on inkjet experience. We have high-end graphic talent who can create interesting custom projects. Buying the appropriate technology also allows us to automate tasks and control quality with fewer people."

Brock's familiarity with inkjet technology served him well in deciding which printing system to purchase.

"The Truepress Jet2500UV can do so many things other devices can't do," he said. "It prints on all the vinyl and plastic substrates, ceramic tile, wood and metal up to 2 inches thick. We use CMYK plus white ink. The multiple layer option enables us to print seven image layers, which improves the performance of double-sided window stickers and backlit displays."

Specialized Output Printing is well positioned where image quality is the primary concern.

Wide-format inkjet is no longer just for billboards and signs to be read from several yards away," Brock said. "The Truepress Jet2500UV prints detailed images at up to 1,500 dpi resolution. It handles 4-point type for signage that is intended to be read close up. No machine can print better than this. It's a surgical instrument."