So here we are again, with Back to School season in full swing. Every year about this time, universities and school systems who have some funding for unique art supplies give us a call. And honestly, I love these calls because teachers truly get it. They understand what Chalk Ink® markers can really do.

They Write on Everything (And I Mean Everything)

Here's the thing about Chalk Ink® markers – they're ridiculously versatile. They write on almost every surface. Well, actually, they write on any surface, but sometimes the surface is porous, like a piece of paper or big poster board, and you can't take that off because it works like a regular marker. But any other hard surface is fair game.

Lockers, chalkboards, whiteboards, concrete floor tiles, welcome signs right on the tile on the ground, on the door – "Welcome to Bowie High School" written right there. The markers are super versatile, and they're also perfect for team spirit.

Colors that Tell a Story

We have 45 colors in our regular lineup, and we can create custom markers in about three months to match any Pantone color – which is always a fun and unique thing we can do for customers with specific brand colors. But here's where it gets really fun – we don't just have regular color names. We have Astroturf Green for all those football field dreams. There’s Smiley Face Yellow, which comes from my grandmother's cookie jar that's actually sitting in our kitchen right now. It’s a smiley face cookie jar with "Have a Nice Day" printed on the side. I love that cookie jar, and it brings back so many memories from my childhood. We've got Jack Black, named after the actor. (I've been trying to get him to sue me for using his name for a really long time, but he hasn't, so maybe this blog will get his attention). Candy Corn Orange, Piggy Bank Pink, and Clown Nose Red. All fun names that actually mean something.

There are so many things you can do with these markers, but for school systems, it gets really fun because kids respond to colors that have personality. It's a great tool for all different sorts of teachers, events, spirit activities, pep rallies, Friday night lights – you name it.

Rainy Day Gym Solutions

Here's something most people don't think about: even on a rainy day, you can use the markers, especially our 15 millimeter tip, right on a gym floor. It becomes an inside activity when the weather gets cold. Kids can create games, draw hopscotch courts, make obstacle courses – whatever keeps them moving when they're stuck indoors.

Easy Cleanup (Because That's What Everyone Wants to Know)

If you’re wondering how hard it is to clean, we have videos and tips on how to take the markers off. It's usually just a glass cleaner, like Windex, which works great. Soap and water works as well. And a Magic Eraser, we love that too.

The cleanup is honestly one of the biggest selling points for schools because custodial staff and teachers don't want anything that's going to be a nightmare to remove. With the right cleaner, it comes right off.

Why Schools Keep Coming Back

What I love about working with schools is that teachers are natural problem solvers, just like me. They see a marker that can write on floors, walls, desks, lockers – basically any non-porous surface – and their minds start racing with possibilities.

Team spirit for homecoming, classroom organization systems, interactive learning activities, temporary signage for events. The applications are endless, and every school finds their own unique ways to use them.

So if you're a teacher reading this and thinking about all the ways you could use these in your classroom, check out our website at ChalkInk.com. We've got all the colors, tips, and cleanup instructions you need.

Now I need to go figure out how to keep up with all these back-to-school orders ...