By Ginny Mumm
Transitioning to UV print enabled Jensen Bradfield, proprietor of Notes in Knots, to offer full-colour merchandise and high-quality element work quicker and with greater 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 pal. As she obtained extra requests, she used her sign-making aspect hustle to assist pay for faculty. Nonetheless, she quickly realized she was extra excited about rising her enterprise than utilizing her instructing diploma. Notes in Knots turned 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 what you are promoting? What steps did you are taking?
JB: I began my enterprise in 2019, once I was working in Autism companies. One in every 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’d give it a attempt.
I began producing hand-painted indicators, then determined to go to academics’ school, utilizing my enterprise to pay for varsity. In the course of the COVID pandemic, I started receiving quite a lot of orders and knew I wanted a extra environment friendly manufacturing technique.
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 house now?
JB: I’ve at all times labored out of my mother and father’ basement. In the course of the COVID pandemic, I checked out increasing right into a industrial house, however determined towards it. Maybe at some point I’ll transfer, however for now, that is all of the house 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 technique. UV printing was additionally not quite common on the time, and I needed to discover a strategy to stand out throughout the business. Transitioning to UV printing enabled me to offer full-colour merchandise and high-quality element work quicker and with greater high quality.
What made a benchtop UV printer the fitting selection for you?
JB: The Roland DG LEF2 collection benchtop UV flatbed printer was a no brainer on account of its dimension, pace, and color/gloss choices. I additionally like having the choice to include gloss ink into my prints.
What kinds of merchandise are you making nowadays?
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, wedding ceremony decor, pens, books, ornaments. Consider one thing you may print on, and I’ve in all probability made it. A lot of my enterprise is custom-printed picture ornaments—I print hundreds of them within the fourth quarter yearly.
The place do you promote your merchandise?
JB: I promote primarily by 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 embrace 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 not too long ago added classic public area prints, which have been successful. We used to print quite a lot of wordy indicators, however classic prints appear to have taken over. Clients have been loving moody prints with lighter frames. I additionally print quite a lot of objects with shiny, enjoyable colors and fonts, lots of them for youngsters.
Why do you suppose individuals purchase from Notes in Knots?
JB: I feel shoppers select Notes in Knots primarily for the personalised customer support. I’m at all times comfortable to assist deliver somebody’s imaginative and prescient to life. Having each a laser and a UV printer permits me to create so many various merchandise. These units additionally allow me to offer a fast turnaround and really high-quality merchandise. Lastly, I feel I’ve constructed a small model with a really loyal buyer base. They know the individual behind the model—it’s not only a web site.
What lies forward for what you are promoting?
JB: I hope to proceed constructing Notes in Knots’ on-line presence and increasing my record of wholesale companions. This 12 months, I plan to broaden our wedding ceremony/bachelorette product line, in addition to our Christmas decoration choices. 
