Okay, so I recorded this voice memo in my car the other day after I'd just left a Starbucks, which is basically where I live at this point, and I realized I needed to just say something publicly. This is for all the baristas out there who've been using our markers and specifically for the ones who keep asking us for brighter colors. I hear you. I see you. And I'm working on it.

Here's the thing. I'm Danielle, and I own Chalk Ink®, which means I'm technically responsible for making sure you have the tools you need to do your job. And if you're a Starbucks barista reading this right now, first of all, thank you for making sure my coffee is always perfect. Second of all, I'm sorry it's taken me this long to write about this. But I'm here now, and I want to talk about what's going on behind the scenes and why I'm so excited about where we're headed with you guys.

The Part Where I Realize Baristas Are Actually Geniuses

So anyway, when we first started working with Starbucks, I thought we were just supplying markers for signage. You know, the standard stuff. Menu boards, promotional signs, maybe some seasonal decorations. And that's definitely part of it. But what I didn't realize until I started actually paying attention was how creative baristas are with our markers. Like, ridiculously creative.

I'll walk into a Starbucks and see these gorgeous hand-lettered signs with intricate designs and color gradients and illustrations, and I'm like, wait, you did that with our markers? And it was like this lightbulb moment where I realized we weren't just making tools for a job. We were making tools for artists who happened to work in coffee shops.

And then I started hearing from baristas directly. Some of you would message us on Instagram or leave comments on our posts, and you'd say things like, "I love the markers, but do you have any brighter colors?" or "Can we get more variety in the packs?" And I'd read those messages and think, yes, absolutely, we need to make this happen. But also, why didn't I think of this sooner?

Why Bright Colors Matter More Than You Think

This is where my retail brain kicks in, and I start thinking about color in a way that probably sounds weird if you're not as obsessed with this stuff as I am. But stay with me. When you're working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment like a Starbucks, the colors you use for signage aren't just decorative. They're functional. Bright colors catch attention. They communicate energy and excitement. They make people stop and look and actually read what you've written instead of just walking past it.

And I know this because I've spent decades thinking about how color impacts retail spaces. It's one of those things that seems simple on the surface, but when you really dig into it, there's so much psychology and strategy involved. Like, why do certain colors make you want to buy something? Why do some color combinations feel more premium or more playful or more urgent? And how do you translate that into a marker pack that actually works for the people using it every single day?

So when baristas started telling us they wanted more bright colors, it wasn't just about aesthetics. It was about giving you the tools to do your job better. To make signs that actually work. To create an environment that feels vibrant and welcoming and fun.

The Wildflower Pack Situation

Alright, so let me tell you about the Wildflower pack because this is one of those things where I feel like we accidentally stumbled into something great. We originally designed the Wildflower pack as a limited edition thing, just kind of testing the waters to see if people would be into it. And the response was insane. People loved it. Specifically, Starbucks baristas loved it.

I started hearing from individual stores that had bought the Wildflower pack on their own, not through the corporate purchasing system, just because they wanted those colors. And they were using them for everything. Spring promotions, summer signage, event announcements. And the colors in that pack, they're just so cheerful and bright and different from the standard Chalk Ink® palette that it gave baristas a whole new way to express themselves.

And honestly, that's when it clicked for me. We needed to make more packs like this. Not just one offs or limited editions, but actual product lines that gave people more options. Because if individual stores were willing to buy these packs on their own, that meant there was real demand. That meant we were onto something.

The Maui Pack, The Rainbow Pack, And The Fifteen Millimeter White Everyone Wants

So we've also got the Maui pack, which I'm obsessed with because the colors are just so tropical and fun. And the Rainbow pack, which is exactly what it sounds like and honestly just makes me happy every time I look at it. But the thing I keep hearing about over and over again is the fifteen millimeter white marker. You guys want it. I know you want it. And I promise we're working on making sure it's more widely available.

The fifteen millimeter tip is chunky and bold and perfect for big, high-impact signage. And white is one of those colors that just works on everything. Chalkboards, glass, dark surfaces. It pops. It's clean. It's versatile. And I totally get why baristas love it. When you're making a sign that needs to be visible from across the store, you need a marker that can deliver that kind of coverage and that kind of presence.

We've been importing more white markers than ever before, and a big part of that is because of feedback from baristas. You told us what you needed, and we listened. And now we're trying to figure out how to get those markers into your hands faster and in larger quantities without making you jump through a million hoops to order them.

Why Starbucks Baristas Have The Best Name Tags

Okay, this is a total tangent, but I have to say it. You guys have some of the best name tags I've ever seen. And I know it's because you're using our markers to customize them. I'll walk into a Starbucks and see a barista with a name tag that has little flowers or stars or geometric patterns around their name, and it just makes me so happy. It's such a small thing, but it says so much about creativity and personality and making your work environment your own.

And honestly, that's what I love most about this whole partnership. It's not just about supplying markers to a big corporation. It's about supporting the individual people who are using those markers every single day to make their stores feel more personal and more welcoming. You're not just writing signs. You're creating an experience for customers. And that matters.

What We're Doing Next

So here's where we are right now. We've been working with our contacts at Starbucks to figure out how to get more of these bright color packs into stores. The Wildflower pack, the Maui pack, the Rainbow pack, all of it. And we're also making sure there's more availability for the fifteen millimeter white because I know that's a big one for you guys.

It's one of those things where I wish I could just snap my fingers and make it happen overnight, but there's a whole supply chain process involved, and I'm learning as I go. Which I know sounds ridiculous coming from someone who's been running this company for years, but every time we grow or add a new product line or work with a new partner, there's always a learning curve. And I'm okay with that. I'd rather take the time to do it right than rush it and end up with a product that doesn't actually solve the problem.

Alright, Here's The Big Virtual Hug

If you're a Starbucks barista reading this, thank you. Thank you for making my coffee taste amazing every single time. Thank you for using our markers and for being honest with us about what you need. Thank you for being creative and making your stores beautiful. And thank you for being patient while we figure out how to get you the tools you deserve.

I'm sending you all a great big virtual hug, and I promise we're going to keep working on this. More bright colors are coming. More fifteen millimeter whites are coming. And we're going to keep listening to what you need because honestly, you guys are the experts. We're just here to make sure you have what you need to do your thing. 

And if you see me in a Starbucks anytime soon, please don't hesitate to come say hi. I'm always happy to talk about markers. Always.