For almost a quarter of a century they've survived stock market crashes, earthquakes, international war, the dot com collapse, and even recession  — prevailing through it all as the longest running independently-owned retail business in Foster City.

Now in its third year at their new location at 1160 Chess Drive, Copyland Printing has experienced first-hand the vagaries of an ever changing business and economic climate, noting a shift from large corporate assignments to more consumer, personal, and small business efforts.  In past years, job orders from Gilead, Genentech, Applied Bio Systems, and eBay were abundant.

"Now we do a lot of business cards, posters, banners, and quick turn-around color-copy projects for smaller operations, " said Copyland  owner, Ivars Rozentals, who tells of the Copyland evolution from a small secretarial service and simple photocopy shop to a full service print and graphics facility.

A former sales  executive, Rozentals,  along with his wife and partner, Biruta—a former executive assistant—founded Copyland with the intent of identifying and servicing niche market needs within the community.  At the time, personal computers were fairly new, the Internet didn't really exist, and even fax service was somewhat of a rarity. Copyland offered the first public fax outlet in Foster City, with customers standing in line on most mornings to pick up their overnight faxes.

"Those were the days when Copyland paid over $5,000 for its first fax machine," says Rozentals. "It was the only public facility in town that enabled any fax machine, anywhere in the world, to send and receive high-speed personal communication."

An inveterate entrepreneur and marketer, Rozentals subsequently modified and transcended his original business model, adding the print operation that remains as Copyland's core business. Building upon a lead from his first two corporate customers, he quickly converted to a full-service print and graphics facility, fulfilling job orders from an assortment of major high-tech and other clients.

"We were in the right place at the right time," says Rozentals. "We were instrumental in being able to print a lot of the documentation for the high-tech boom when Frame Relay, ATM, Bluetooth, and other technologies were in their infancies."

With the addition of full-scale color printing presses, Copyland was able to undertake virtually any print directive. Added to the repertoire were an enhanced graphics department, mailing and packaging service, UPS and FedEx shipping, laminating, and the sign and banner work which now encompass much of the current business.

After 9/11, there was a substantial local demand and subsequent shortage for U.S. flag and related paraphernalia. Copyland printed and distributed over 87,000 flag sheets, free to merchants, and as inserts in local newspapers. Rozentals was cited at the Presidio Veterans Day services for his work in producing posters and other materials for various Bay Area veteran organizations.

In an effort to adapt to the challenges and demands of current times, Rozentals indcates that the operation has recently upgraded its copy machines.

"The color machines are now printing four times faster, with resolution so sharp, it can't be distinguished from large press jobs," he says.  "And we encourage and cater to walk-in traffic."

Ever the entrepreneur, Rozentals has also undertaken an ancillary endeavor as U.S. marketer and distributor for SKYBRAKE, a unique electronic anti car-theft device manufactured in his native Latvia.  The product has been highly successful in Europe, and Rozentals has already struck deals with key domestic installers and is actively seeking U.S. reps to sell the units.  

Meanwhile, Copyland continues to serve our community with a variety of services and products, even in these tough times, enduring as the oldest privately-owned business in Foster City.