Elevating product offerings with UV print
By Ginny Mumm
Transitioning to UV print enabled Jensen Bradfield, proprietor of Notes in Knots, to offer full-colour merchandise and wonderful element work quicker and with increased high quality. Images 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 obtained extra requests, she used her sign-making aspect hustle to assist pay for faculty. Nonetheless, she quickly realized she was extra concerned with rising her enterprise than utilizing her educating 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 your corporation? What steps did you’re taking?
JB: I began my enterprise in 2019, after I was working in Autism companies. One among my co-workers couldn’t discover a store to accommodate her {custom} signage request. I’ve at all times been artistic, so
I believed I might give it a attempt.
I began producing hand-painted indicators, then determined to go to academics’ faculty, utilizing my enterprise to pay for college. In the course of the COVID pandemic, I started receiving lots 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 house now?
JB: I’ve at all times labored out of my dad and mom’ basement. In the course of the COVID pandemic, I checked out increasing right into a business house, however determined in opposition to it. Maybe sooner or later I’ll transfer, however for now, that is all of the house I want.
At what level did you determine to put money into UV print know-how?
JB: I made a decision to put money into 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 needed to discover a option to stand out throughout the business. Transitioning to UV printing enabled me to offer full-colour merchandise and wonderful element work quicker and with increased high quality.
What made a benchtop UV printer the proper selection for you?
JB: The Roland DG LEF2 collection benchtop UV flatbed printer was a no brainer resulting from its measurement, pace, and color/gloss choices. I additionally like having the choice to include gloss ink into my prints.
What sorts of merchandise are you making lately?
JB: I’m at all times making one thing new. For essentially 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 photograph ornaments—I print 1000’s of them within the fourth quarter yearly.
The place do you promote your merchandise?
JB: I promote primarily via 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 centered on rising my wholesale choices.
What are a few of your best-selling gadgets?
JB: My finest sellers embody custom-printed photograph Christmas ornaments, classic indicators, {custom} indicators, and seasonal tags.
Are there colors or graphic developments you might be seeing these days?
JB: I not too long ago added classic public area prints, which have been successful. We used to print lots of wordy indicators, however classic prints appear to have taken over. Prospects have been loving moody prints with lighter frames. I additionally print lots of gadgets with vivid, enjoyable colors and fonts, a lot of them for kids.
Why do you assume folks purchase from Notes in Knots?
JB: I believe shoppers 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 units 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 corporation?
JB: I hope to proceed constructing Notes in Knots’ on-line presence and increasing my listing of wholesale companions. This 12 months, I plan to broaden our marriage ceremony/bachelorette product line, in addition to our Christmas decoration choices. 
