From Racing Cars to Hockey Pucks

Derek Kneblewski started Daub It in Dundas, Ontario in 2007 to handle side projects in addition to his ongoing work for Mantis Sport, the performance division of Mantis Racing, Inc. 

He soon upgraded his production platform to a 54-inch Roland DG VersaCAMM VP-540 wide-format printer/cutter.  “My graphics print clearly and reliably, and the print/cut function saves me space and time,” he said. “I get great production value from my VersaCAMM.”

In 2014, Derek increased his range with the Roland DG LEF-20 20-inch benchtop UV flatbed printer.  Now, along with vehicle graphics, banners and decals, Daub It prints custom designs directly on promotional products including pens, ID cards, plastic business cards and, of course, hockey pucks.  

“My graphics print clearly and reliably, and the print/cut function saves me space and time,” he said. “I get great production value from my VersaCAMM.”

His clients are wowed by the UV printer’s results. He noted, “Most of my clients have only used screen printing before. With the LEF, I can print somebody’s face right on a product.”

Derek prints and cuts vehicle graphics on his VersaCAMM for Porsche racing club cars and other high-performance vehicles for Mantis Sport.  He uses the LEF to print the company’s logo directly on its performance pulleys. “Printing directly on the metal gives the product a more professional look,” said Derek.

Many of Daub It’s clients are small businesses and start-ups. “With the LEF, I can painlessly do short runs,” he said. 

Derek describes his work as a “one man show.” He controls production for both machines using Roland DG’s VersaWorks RIP software. “VersaWorks is super smooth – just a few clicks and the jobs go to either the VersaCAMM or the LEF,” he said.  “The two machines piggyback off each other: I can offer my decal customers promotional products, and vice versa.

“Having both a printer/cutter and a UV printer gives me a lot of design flexibility. There’s so much more I can do now for my clients.”