By Ginny Mumm
Transitioning to UV print enabled Jensen Bradfield, owner of Notes in Knots, to provide full-colour products and fine detail work faster and with higher quality. Photos courtesy Notes in Knots
Jensen Bradfield, owner of Notes in Knots in Burlington, Ont., made her first hand-painted sign as a favour to a friend. As she got more requests, she used her sign-making side hustle to help pay for college. However, she soon realized she was more interested in growing her business than using her teaching degree. Notes in Knots became her full-time job.
We talked with Bradfield about how she launched her business, how her success led her to embrace digital production, and how having a benchtop UV printer has expanded her product line—and profitability.
How did you launch your business? What steps did you take?
JB: I started my business in 2019, when I was working in Autism services. One of my co-workers couldn’t find a shop to accommodate her custom signage request. I have always been creative, so
I thought I would give it a try.
I started producing hand-painted signs, then decided to go to teachers’ college, using my business to pay for school. During the COVID pandemic, I began receiving a lot of orders and knew I needed a more efficient production method.
By the time I graduated, my business was thriving, and I had expanded my product range with my UV printer. Since then, I have pursued my business full time.
What was your facility like? Are you in the same space now?
JB: I have always worked out of my parents’ basement. During the COVID pandemic, I looked at expanding into a commercial space, but decided against it. Perhaps one day I’ll move, but for now, this is all the space I need.
At what point did you decide to invest in UV print technology?
JB: I decided to invest in a UV printer when business started to pick up with my retail partners. I needed a more efficient production method. UV printing was also not very common at the time, and I wanted to find a way to stand out within the industry. Transitioning to UV printing enabled me to provide full-colour products and fine detail work faster and with higher quality.
What made a benchtop UV printer the right choice for you?
JB: The Roland DG LEF2 series benchtop UV flatbed printer was a no-brainer due to its size, speed, and colour/gloss options. I also like having the option to incorporate gloss ink into my prints.
What types of products are you making these days?
JB: I’m always making something new. For the most part, I print on painted medium-density fibreboard (MDF) and acrylic. I produce framed signs, magnets, bookmarks, hockey pucks, wedding decor, pens, books, ornaments. Think of something you can print on, and I’ve probably made it. Much of my business is custom-printed photo ornaments—I print thousands of them in the fourth quarter every year.
Where do you sell your products?
JB: I sell primarily through my website and Etsy. My largest in-store retailer is The Barntique in Simcoe, Ont. While I used to sell products in 16 retail stores, since I’m a one-woman operation, I decided to concentrate on direct-to-consumer and wholesale. At present, I’m primarily focused on growing my wholesale offerings.
What are some of your best-selling items?
JB: My best sellers include custom-printed photo Christmas ornaments, vintage signs, custom signs, and seasonal tags.
Are there colours or graphic trends you are seeing lately?
JB: I recently added vintage public domain prints, which have been a hit. We used to print a lot of wordy signs, but vintage prints seem to have taken over. Customers have been loving moody prints with lighter frames. I also print a lot of items with bright, fun colours and fonts, many of them for children.
Why do you think people buy from Notes in Knots?
JB: I think clients choose Notes in Knots mainly for the personalized customer service. I am always happy to help bring someone’s vision to life. Having both a laser and a UV printer allows me to create so many different products. These devices also enable me to provide a quick turnaround and very high-quality products. Lastly, I think I have built a small brand with a very loyal customer base. They know the person behind the brand—it’s not just a website.
What lies ahead for your business?
JB: I hope to continue building Notes in Knots’ online presence and expanding my list of wholesale partners. This year, I plan to expand our wedding/bachelorette product line, as well as our Christmas ornament offerings. 
