FAQ's
1. General
What is a Chalk Ink marker?
The best thing ever! Chalk Ink is a specially formulated, pigment-based chalk marker that works like a paint pen, but looks like chalk. But wait, it gets better! Chalk Ink goes on smoothly, blends with ease, and dries quickly. Chalk Ink leaves no dusty, chalk mess and won’t wipe away with the touch of a hand. Chalk Ink will stay put until it gets wet. However, Chalk Ink has two formulas!
I just opened up my new marker and the tip is white! Where is the ink?
All brand new markers will come with a dry, white, unused tip. All you have to do is prime the marker to bring the ink to tip so you can use the marker.
How do I prime the tip?
The first step is to shake the marker up and down until you hear the metallic ball inside come loose inside the ink barrel. Once you have given the marker a good shake, which helps mix the ink in case any pigment has settled, press the tip of the marker onto a hard surface (ideally on a scrap piece of paper), and wait a couple of seconds. Then continue to press the marker tip up and down on your surface until you see the ink start to penetrate the tip. Now you are ready to go! When you notice the ink start to run out repeat the process.
What is the difference between your Wet Wipe and Artista Pro markers?
Wet Wipe: This is our original formula that can be removed from most non-porous surfaces with water or a glass cleaner. Artista Pro: Like the name states, our Artista Pro marker is a Professional sign maker's favorite. The ink is formulated to be water-resistant and more permanent. This means the ink will not come off when it gets wet with water, and will need an ammonia-based cleaner to be removed from your non-porous surface.
How many different tip sizes do you sell? Are all of the colors available in every tip variety?
We have 6 different tip sizes: Extra Fine (.5mm), Fine (1.0), Bullet Tip (2.0mm), 6mm chisel tip, 8mm MiniMax Chisel Tip and 15mm broad tip. Not all colors come in every tip size. Please check the website for availability in our various sizes. Fun tip! The 6mm chisel tip can be turned around to make it a bullet tip. Just grab the end of the marker tip, pull it up and out of the barrel and reverse it!
How long will each of them last me?
Each marker has enough ink to span a 90 yard football field! How long the marker will last depends on usage.
What happens if my marker tip dries up?
The easiest thing to do is lightly wet the marker tip with water and follow the steps above. If you are still having difficulties, spray a bit of Windex on the tip of the marker and let it soak for a minute or two. Then try the priming process again.
What is the best way to store the markers?
We suggest storing your markers horizontally and away from heat. Best to store markers in a cool, dry area. Just be sure to shake the markers well before each use.
How long does it take for the ink to dry?
Give the ink at least a minute to dry fully but use your best judgment.
Can I blend ink colors?
Yes, Chalk Ink Wet Wipe markers blend best while wet. See the blending video in our tips section. Artista Pro markers can be layered once dry.
Are your markers toxic?
No way, Jose! All of our Chalk Ink markers are non-toxic and fume-free. Although, we definitely do not recommend consuming the ink.
Can I get Chalk Ink out of my clothes?
Yes, you should be able to, if it is a Wet Wipe marker. There is a slight possibility that a dark color ink will stain a light cloth but use a stain remover for clothes. Our Artista Pro marker is meant to be more permanent and might permanently stain your clothes.
You have so many colors! How can I tell what the color will actually look like?
We do! Which is why we have provided you with multiple pictures for each marker that show the color being used as examples.
Can I use Chalk Ink on a chalkboard?
Yes! However, ALWAYS test the surface first! Not all chalkboards are created equal. Some chalkboards can be porous or not of high quality, which can cause issues when you try to remove the ink.
What surfaces can I use Chalk Ink on?
You can use our markers on any surface, but it depends on if you want it to come off or not. The best surfaces for easy removal are smooth, non-porous surfaces. For example: glass, metal, plastic, granite, glazed ceramic, dry erase boards, mirrors, Chalk Ink chalkboard products (wallpaper, spray paint, paint, dry erase, chalkboard paper, etc.). Things like paper, cardboard, drywall, skin, grout, untreated/unsealed cement, tile, and wood (only a few examples) are porous surfaces that will absorb the ink and not be removable.
How do I remove Chalk Ink from my surface?
If you are using a Wet Wipe marker, all you need is water and a sponge! If you used an Artista Pro marker, you will need an ammonia-based cleaner like Windex to remove the ink from your surface.
The ink isn’t coming off…what do I do?
Try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, or Windex, or our Chalk Ink Spray Cleaner.
What is ghosting? How can I prevent it?
Ghosting is when you try to erase the ink from your surface, but you still see a faint outline of what used to be there. The best way to prevent ghosting is to make sure your surface is non-porous, test your surface and do not leave your chalkboard outside for long periods of time, especially in direct sunlight.
My marker ghosted, now how can I get rid of it?
Don’t panic, you can get it off, but it will take some elbow grease. Step one, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. If ghosting still remains, spray surface with lots of Windex and let it soak for a few seconds. Use your finger to rub the Windex into the surface. Rub, rub, rub! If some ghosting remains, you can try to hide some of it by rubbing chalk dust over the surface.
Do you have any tips and tricks about how to use the markers you could share?
Always have a scrap piece of paper to prime your marker. Do not be afraid to blend several colors to achieve greater depth in your work. Give the ink time to dry after applying. You can always visit our YouTube site for more tips and tricks!
Does Chalk Ink have a printed catalogue?
While we do not have a catalog, we do have an email newsletter. You can opt-in to receive the email when you create an online account or sign up for the newsletter.
2. Ordering FAQ's
What forms of payment do you accept?
Chalk Ink is proud to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We also accept PayPal. We do not accept cash, checks or cash-on-delivery (C.O.D.) for online orders.
How do I search items on Chalk Ink?
The easiest way is to browse through the categories on the top menu of the site. You can then refine the search by a number of different categories depending on the item you are looking for: markers, chalkboards, art supplies. If you know the name or a descriptor of what you are looking for, you can enter this into the Search bar on the top of any page on the site and we will find you everything related to your search. Once you have found your desired item, click ~add it to my cart~ to start the order process.
How do I find my product?
To find the product(s) you are looking for, you may (1) use the navigation menus on the top, left, and bottom of our website or (2) type a keyword into the SEARCH box. If you have any trouble locating a product, feel free to contact customer service for assistance.
Can I make a change to an existing order?
Sure. You may make changes to your order until your order processing has begun. Please contact us by phone or email with order modifications. Please note that not all changes can be guaranteed as the order may be too far into the shipping process. Ensuring that your order is correct in the Review & Buy section of the site is always the best policy to save any disappointment at a later date. If your modification cannot be made, please remember that our returns policy is friendly and flexible, so most changes can be made after the order is received.
How can I track the status of my order?
When your order ships from our fulfillment center, you will receive an email confirmation with your shipment tracking number, which can be used to track your order through the carrier's website. If you have any issues with this, please contact us and we can assist you.
Why is my tracking information not appearing?
Even though your package has shipped, it may take up to 48 hours for tracking information to appear on a carrier’s website. This is due to the timing of updates made by the carrier’s tracking system. Please refer to the estimated delivery dates that appear on your order confirmation email. If the estimated delivery date has passed and the carrier’s tracking information hasn't changed, we would be happy to help. Email shipping@chalkink.com or call 512-457- 0522 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST, Monday through Thursday (except major holidays).
Where's my confirmation email?
If you did not receive a confirmation email within a few minutes of successfully placing your order then you may have entered your email address incorrectly. Another reason you may not have received the email is if your ISP flagged our confirmation email as spam. All confirmation emails are sent from info@chalkink.com. Please contact us by phone or email with your full name and order number and we will confirm your order.
How do I check on the status of my order?
To check the status of your order, you must have logged into your account and proceeded to checked out while logged in. If you did not, please email us or give us a call to check on your order status. If you checked out through an account, simply log into your account and click Orders.
How do I cancel my order?
You may cancel your order before you click 'Place Order' or up until your order has shipped. Please contact us by phone or email.
Can I change my order once it has been submitted?
Once your order has been submitted, please call us right away. Please note that we do not recommend sending an email to orders@chalkink.com as this is a time sensitive issue.
Can I order by phone, email or fax?
Yes, we do accept orders by phone, email, and fax. However, the easiest and most secure way to place an order is through the shopping cart on our website.
Thinking of removing items from your cart?
You may instead want to consider saving the items to your wish list for a future purchase. Items that you move to your wish list can later be moved back to your shopping cart. Please note, items added to your wish list do not ensure later availability. (You must login to use the wish list feature). You may always login by clicking Sign In on the menu bar at the top of any page.
What If I am ordering and there is an error in the checkout?
If you have any technical issues while using the site, please contact us directly and we will assist you immediately.
What currency are Chalk Ink prices displayed in?
All prices are shown in U.S Dollars. Chalk Ink has the ability to convert all prices to the currency of your choice. Click on the flag (in the upper left hand corner) to change what currency prices are displayed in.
How do I keep up to date with happenings and new items on the site?
The best way to stay up to date with Chalk Ink is to add yourself to our mailing list. We send out emails frequently updating our customers on current promotions or fun, product ideas.
Do I have to create an account to place an order?
You do not need to create an account to place an order, but it would be a good idea! It allows you to view your order status online and allows for quick and easy reordering. Just click here to create your account.
How do I create an online account?
If you are a first time user, simply click the link on the homepage to Sign In/Create Account. This will take you a page to either sign in to your existing account or create a new online profile. Once you click ‘Create a New Account’, you will need to fill out the online form and submit.
I forgot my username and password. What should I do?
If you have forgotten your login information, click to access the login screen and then click on ‘forgot username and password’. This page will prompt you to fill in information to retrieve your username or reset your password. We will send you an email with your username and/or a link to reset your password. Make sure to check your spam mailbox.
I need to update information saved on my online account, how do I do this?
All you need to do is login to your account, click the ‘My Account’ tab and then ‘Update’. You are able to change or add mailing/billing addresses, credit card information, etc. Don’t forget to save your changes! Please remember to view all information prior to submitting an order. If you change any information that might affect an order you placed online, please call or email us to confirm we have the correct information necessary to process and ship your order.
I am interested in ordering in bulk, how do I go about doing so?
If you would like to order in bulk, please email us at: sales@chalkink.com.
I am interested in wholesale pricing. How do I purchase your markers?
Please contact us at: sales@chalkink.com or call 512-457-0522.
3. Shipping FAQ's
How do I know my order has shipped?
Once your order is confirmed by email, it is processed by our warehouse and shipping department. The items are personally packaged and enclosed safely in a box with a copy of your invoice. Once your package has left our facility, you will receive tracking information. You will be able to track your package once the carrier has scanned the shipment barcode.
What happens if my items get lost in the mail?
Contact the carrier your order was sent with and quote your tracking number. If your items are unable to be located by the carrier, contact your local customs office or shipping@chalkink.com. We also suggest asking a neighbor, who may be holding your package for you. Once the shipment status has been changed by the carrier to ‘delivered’, we are not responsible for lost or stolen goods and cannot be held liable.
What happens if I receive an incorrect item?
If you receive an incorrect item in your order, please contact us right away and we will arrange for the correct item to be sent to you. We will also arrange or reimburse for return postage of the incorrect item.
FREE Standard Shipping
Orders over $50 will be shipped via USPS. Chalkboards do NOT qualify for free shipping. Orders placed before 3pm CST should arrive within 3-5 business days. This is a full trackable service with USPS. This service may take longer to PO Boxes and rural areas and will be delivered through United States Postal Services. Orders placed on Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays or public holidays are handled on Monday or first working day after. Please note: This shipping method is not available for international orders.
Can you ship to a PO Box?
Yes, but only if you choose USPS shipping. Contact us if you have any issues.
Why are chalkboards more expensive to ship?
Oversized items, like chalkboards, can attract higher shipping fees. These shipping fees are based on the size and weight of the order and any shipping charges will be quoted during checkout.
Does it cost me anything to return an item?
Yes, the customer is responsible for shipping a return back to Chalk Ink.
Do you ship Internationally?
Yes!
Why does International shipping cost more?
International shipping costs more because your package is insured and tracked. Plus, it is travelling a long distance from Austin, Texas!
How much will I pay for International shipping?
Your shipping price will be determined online by the weight and dimensions of your order and the shipping destination. After you have entered your Shipping Address, the amount will auto-calculate. Please Note: Certain countries charge additional customs fees and independent carrier charges. Chalk Ink cannot anticipate these costs and will not be able to reimburse you for any additional fees incurred. Before placing your order, please contact your local customs office or branch office of the U.S. Postal Service, to find out what kind of fees you can expect.
Can you designate my international order as a gift so I do not need to pay custom fees?
We are sorry, but we are not able to designate any packages as gifts.
4. Payment
Is your site secure?
Yes, all private credit card information is encrypted across a secure, third party line.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept Mastercard, VISA, Discover, American Express, PayPal, AmazonPay and ATM/Debit Cards with a VISA or Mastercard logo. We do not accept cashier’s checks or money orders. ○ If you are a Wholesaler/Distributor/Bulk, we can discuss payment terms before you place your order.
Can I change my order after I have totaled my sale?
Yes, you can hit the ‘Shopping Cart’ link and add or delete items before you finalize your sale. Just make sure you only click the ‘Submit’ button once! This will avoid any duplicate charges.
When will my credit card be charged?
When using debit and some credit cards, your card will show a pending authorization hold. Once the order is processed, the hold is released on our end and the actual charge goes through.
Do I have to pay taxes on my purchase?
Only if you live in Texas.
How do I know if my order went through?
After you click ‘Submit’, you will be taken to a page that confirms your order and give you an order number. You will also receive an email confirmation.
Can I change my order after I have clicked submit?
Orders can be changed or cancelled but must be done as soon as possible after placing the order. Please call us directly at 512-457-0522, rather than email, as this is a time sensitive matter.
Why haven't I received an email regarding my order?
There are usually two reasons why you are not receiving email notifications. You may have an outdated email address on file, or you may have a spam blocker filtering out email from our system. Make sure to keep your user information current by updating your email address. Also, check your Spam inbox.
Can I add items or change my PayPal order once I’ve submitted it?
Darn, Sorry. Once you submit that PayPal order, it is set in stone. You can always place another order though!
5. Returns
What Is Your Returns Policy?
Chalk Ink is committed to customer satisfaction. If you receive merchandise that you are unhappy with for any reason, simply return it within 30 days - in the condition you received it (unused) for a full item refund. We will not accept items that have been partially used or damaged due to customer fault. Final sale and non-refundable items may not be eligible for a refund.
How do I return an item and who pays the shipping cost?
The customer is responsible for shipping back their purchase. Please contact us regarding your return first.
Where do I ship my return?
Chalk Ink, 5008 Burleson Road, Austin, TX 78744 ○ For your security, we recommend insuring packages against loss and retaining the tracking number. Chalk Ink cannot accept COD deliveries and is not responsible for customer returns that are not received.
Do I return non-Chalk Ink brand markers and art supplies to Chalk Ink?
Yes, you are able to return any brand items you purchased directly from Chalk Ink. Chalk Ink’s standard return policy will apply.
Do you offer store credit?
No, Chalk Ink does not offer store credit. You will receive a refund for your order less shipping cost.
What is the processing time for returns?
Please allow approximately two to three weeks for the shipping and processing of your return. Depending on your credit card company, it may take an additional two to ten business days after your credit is applied for it to post to your account.
Return Terms and Conditions
All items returned for refund or exchange must be returned in the original condition (unused) as they may not be accepted for return if received damaged (unless faulty).
Can I check the status of my return online?
No, Please contact us via Email(sales@chalkink.com) or Phone(512-457-0522) to return or you can send the return Chalk Ink 5008 Burleson Road, Austin, TX 78744 with the order information.
6. Promotions
Why isn't my promo code working?
Your cart may contain one or more items that are excluded from the promotional offer. Please see terms and conditions below regarding promotion codes.
How is the promotional discount applied?
To use a promotional code, enter the promo code in the cart or at checkout. When a valid code is entered, the discount will automatically apply and be shown in your order summary. Discount cannot be combined with other offers. Only one discount code will be accepted per order. If you are still having issues, please reach out to us.
What are the terms and conditions of promotion codes?
Discounts are only applied to valid items in your cart/order. We have the right to exclude certain products or brands from any promotion. Promotion codes are only valid for specific dates and we have the right to end the promotional period early if deemed necessary. If we end the promotion early, the promotion code will not be accepted in the cart. If the promotion code is accepted in the cart, then we will honor the promotion. Promotions cannot be applied to orders after the order is placed and the customer has received an order confirmation.
7. Wholesale Orders
I am interested in wholesale pricing. Do I qualify?
In order to receive wholesale pricing, you must email us at sales@chalkink.com or call 512-457-0522 and submit your Resale Certificate.
Is there a minimum order amount? What about a re-order amount?
Please contact us directly by phone or email for all wholesale inquiry details.
How do you ship wholesale orders?
We tend to ship wholesale orders via UPS. However, we are happy to ship through whichever carrier you prefer, and use your carrier account number for billing.
8. Bulk Orders
I am interested in ordering in bulk. What qualifies as a bulk order and what is the discount?
Great! Bulk orders start at 100 pieces per SKU and can go as high as you need. Contact us for more information.
How do you ship bulk orders?
We tend to ship bulk orders via UPS. However, we are happy to ship through whichever carrier you prefer, and use your carrier account number for billing.
9. Custom Orders
Can I order a marker with my own label on it or in a custom color?
Yes, there is a minimum order amount of 3,000 pieces per SKU.
Can I order a custom shape chalkboard?
Yes, but please contact us for further information.
Who do I talk to about a custom order?
Please email info@chalkink.com for more information and to discuss a custom order.