Cutting for Champions: How JMD Designs for Racing elevates helmet art with the Summa S3 TC75

In the high-speed world of Formula 1, every detail matters, down to the weight of your race helmet. Like no other, JMD Designs for Racing understands the need to combine performance with creativity and style. For decades, they’ve been crafting iconic helmet designs for F1’s biggest names, shaping the collective image of the sport for their millions of fans. Recently, JMD upgraded their trusted Summa cutter to the new S3 TC75. The result? Faster workflows, sharper cuts, and even more creative freedom.

Founded by Jens Munser, JMD Designs for Racing has been a quiet powerhouse in the world of motorsport design. You may not know the name, but you’ve definitely seen their work on the heads of legends like Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Rubens Barrichello and many, many more. They were the first to introduce unique helmet designs for every race, setting a trend that now sees top drivers go through up to 45 helmets per season.

Behind the scenes, Jens has a team of around 10 experts in different fields that ensure every step of the process – from design to cutting and sticking to airbrushing and painting – flows as smooth as an F1 car taking taking Eau Rouge flat out.

We need it today

If your customers are used to taking corners at 300kph, speed is a keyword in everything they do. F1 drivers have increasingly demanded bold creativity from their equipment with a high turnover, showcasing new designs in almost every race. For JMD Designs for Racing, this meant 2 things: they have to act fast and they have to do as much inhouse as possible.

For 20 years, Jens and his team relied on their original Summa cutter. Aside from a few blade changes and a motor replacement, it never missed a beat. But as helmet designs became more intricate and deadlines tighter, the need for an upgrade became apparent.

The Summa S3 TC75: A Game-Changer

The turning point came at a tradeshow, where a conversation with Summa revealed the full potential of tangential cutting. Seeing the S3 TC75 in action was the final push. The transition was seamless; the new cutter operates on familiar principles but adds a more intuitive interface and automation options that make a real difference.

“The biggest difference is in the ease-of-use”, says Gunnar Strandt, responsible for the vinyl cutting and sticking. “Thanks to the tangential cutting technology, we can not only cut more intricate designs, we are also sure that there will be no issues when peeling off the vinyl. Everything is smooth, which makes it so much easier to work. There are no second tries, we get it right from start to finish, every time.”

Shared values

JMD Designs for Racing and Summa are more than just long-term partners, they share values. Both have been staples in their industries for decades, known for reliability, innovation and the desire to keep pushing boundaries. With the S3 TC75 now part of their toolkit, JMD is excited about what the future holds. Their vintage Summa cutter still runs and now serves as a backup, proving that longevity and productivity go hand in hand.

As helmet designs evolve and the demands of racing intensify, JMD is ready with Summa by their side, cutting for champions.