By Ginny Mumm
Transitioning to UV print enabled Jensen Bradfield, proprietor of Notes in Knots, to offer full-colour merchandise and fantastic element work quicker and with increased high quality. Pictures courtesy Notes in Knots
Jensen Bradfield, proprietor of Notes in Knots in Burlington, Ont., made her first hand-painted signal as a favour to a good friend. As she bought extra requests, she used her sign-making aspect hustle to assist pay for faculty. Nevertheless, she quickly realized she was extra serious about rising her enterprise than utilizing her educating diploma. Notes in Knots grew to become her full-time job.
We talked with Bradfield about how she launched her enterprise, how her success led her to embrace digital manufacturing, and the way having a benchtop UV printer has expanded her product line—and profitability.
How did you launch your enterprise? What steps did you are taking?
JB: I began my enterprise in 2019, once I was working in Autism companies. Certainly one of my co-workers couldn’t discover a store to accommodate her {custom} signage request. I’ve at all times been inventive, so
I believed I might give it a attempt.
I began producing hand-painted indicators, then determined to go to lecturers’ school, utilizing my enterprise to pay for college. Through the COVID pandemic, I started receiving loads of orders and knew I wanted a extra environment friendly manufacturing methodology.
By the point I graduated, my enterprise was thriving, and I had expanded my product vary with my UV printer. Since then, I’ve pursued my enterprise full time.
What was your facility like? Are you in the identical area now?
JB: I’ve at all times labored out of my dad and mom’ basement. Through the COVID pandemic, I checked out increasing right into a business area, however determined in opposition to it. Maybe in the future I’ll transfer, however for now, that is all of the area I want.
At what level did you resolve to spend money on UV print know-how?
JB: I made a decision to spend money on a UV printer when enterprise began to select up with my retail companions. I wanted a extra environment friendly manufacturing methodology. UV printing was additionally not quite common on the time, and I wished to discover a method to stand out inside the trade. Transitioning to UV printing enabled me to offer full-colour merchandise and fantastic element work quicker and with increased high quality.
What made a benchtop UV printer the precise alternative for you?
JB: The Roland DG LEF2 collection benchtop UV flatbed printer was a no brainer as a result of its dimension, velocity, and color/gloss choices. I additionally like having the choice to include gloss ink into my prints.
What kinds of merchandise are you making as of late?
JB: I’m at all times making one thing new. For probably the most half, I print on painted medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and acrylic. I produce framed indicators, magnets, bookmarks, hockey pucks, marriage ceremony decor, pens, books, ornaments. Consider one thing you may print on, and I’ve most likely made it. A lot of my enterprise is custom-printed picture ornaments—I print 1000’s of them within the fourth quarter yearly.
The place do you promote your merchandise?
JB: I promote primarily by means of my web site and Etsy. My largest in-store retailer is The Barntique in Simcoe, Ont. Whereas I used to promote merchandise in 16 retail shops, since I’m a one-woman operation, I made a decision to focus on direct-to-consumer and wholesale. At current, I’m primarily targeted on rising my wholesale choices.
What are a few of your best-selling objects?
JB: My finest sellers embody custom-printed picture Christmas ornaments, classic indicators, {custom} indicators, and seasonal tags.
Are there colors or graphic traits you might be seeing currently?
JB: I just lately added classic public area prints, which have been a success. We used to print loads of wordy indicators, however classic prints appear to have taken over. Prospects have been loving moody prints with lighter frames. I additionally print loads of objects with vivid, enjoyable colors and fonts, a lot of them for youngsters.
Why do you assume folks purchase from Notes in Knots?
JB: I believe purchasers select Notes in Knots primarily for the customized customer support. I’m at all times completely satisfied to assist convey somebody’s imaginative and prescient to life. Having each a laser and a UV printer permits me to create so many alternative merchandise. These gadgets additionally allow me to offer a fast turnaround and really high-quality merchandise. Lastly, I believe I’ve constructed a small model with a really loyal buyer base. They know the particular person behind the model—it’s not only a web site.
What lies forward for your enterprise?
JB: I hope to proceed constructing Notes in Knots’ on-line presence and increasing my record of wholesale companions. This yr, I plan to increase our marriage ceremony/bachelorette product line, in addition to our Christmas decoration choices. 
