Buckets of Ink Expands Screen Printing & Embroidery Supplies in Tempe

 

Buckets of Ink Founder Chris Breazeale: Thriving After Tragedy in Tempe, Arizona

Entrepreneurship often requires resilience — but for Chris Breazeale, founder of Buckets of Ink, resilience became a defining chapter of his journey.

Shortly after launching Buckets of Ink as a mobile supply business in Tempe, Chris was involved in a devastating head-on collision with a semi-truck — an accident that nearly cost him his life. What followed was months of recovery, multiple surgeries, and a battle to regain strength while his young company was still finding its footing.

Yet today, Buckets of Ink stands as a thriving supplier of professional screen printing supplies, embroidery products, and digital decoration equipment serving Arizona and beyond.

A Business Built on Determination

When Buckets of Ink first launched, it operated out of a delivery van. Chris loaded bins of ink into his truck, connected through a mobile hotspot, and personally visited customers throughout the Valley.

Even after the accident left him physically unable to operate, the business continued through determination and support. A delivery service — and the unwavering commitment of his wife — kept customers supplied while Chris underwent nine neck surgeries and extensive facial reconstruction.

Recovery wasn’t easy. It required grit, patience, and belief in the mission behind the business. When Chris finally returned to visiting customers, many welcomed him back with open arms. That support reaffirmed what Buckets of Ink was always meant to be: more than a supply company — a partner to the print community.

From a Van to a 6,500-Square-Foot Facility

After recovering and rebuilding relationships, Buckets of Ink quickly gained momentum. What began as ink delivered from a van evolved into a 6,500-square-foot retail and distribution facility located at 906 S. Priest Drive near Broadway Road in Tempe.

Today, Buckets of Ink provides:

• Professional screen printing supplies including inks, emulsions, cleaning chemicals, and production essentials
• Embroidery supplies in Arizona, supporting both small decorators and large production shops
• DTF printers and supplies in Arizona as digital decoration continues to reshape the industry
• Screen printing equipment and screen room products
• On-site demos and hands-on training

Chris’s background in the industry since 1981 positioned him to understand brands, products, and production challenges at a deep level. Having worked trade shows, manufacturing relationships, and real production environments, he built Buckets of Ink on practical knowledge — not theory.

Education & Customer Support as a Competitive Edge

While many suppliers simply move product, Buckets of Ink focuses heavily on education and customer success.

The team regularly helps customers:

• Improve print quality
• Choose better-performing materials
• Troubleshoot production issues
• Expand into embroidery or digital decoration
• Scale operations more efficiently

This consultative approach has helped earn trust across Arizona’s decoration industry.

Customer service remains a top priority. The internal culture emphasizes training, mentorship, and ensuring that every team member genuinely cares about helping customers succeed. That philosophy has contributed to significant growth, especially in recent years.

Growth Through Industry Shifts

The decoration industry continues to evolve, with digital technologies and specialty applications creating new opportunities. Buckets of Ink supports shops navigating changes like direct-to-film printing and emerging specialty techniques, while continuing to serve traditional screen printing and embroidery operations.

Since the challenges of the pandemic, the company has seen substantial growth — expanding its customer base and strengthening its position in the Arizona market.

Supporting the Next Generation of Printers

Buckets of Ink is committed to helping entrepreneurs enter the decoration industry. With a demo facility and experienced team, the company provides guidance for new shop owners looking to get started in screen printing, embroidery, or digital printing.

For those considering entering the industry, Chris emphasizes that while success requires work, the barrier to entry is accessible — especially with the right knowledge and supplier support.

Connect With Buckets of Ink

Buckets of Ink continues to serve printers across Arizona from its Tempe headquarters while supporting customers online nationwide.

Learn more at:
https://www.bucketsofink.com/

Explore professional screen printing supplies:
https://www.bucketsofink.com/page/screen-printing-supplies

Shop embroidery supplies in Arizona:
https://www.bucketsofink.com/page/embroidery-supplies

Discover DTF printers and supplies in Arizona:
https://www.bucketsofink.com/page/dtf-supplies

Follow Buckets of Ink for industry updates, education, and new product releases:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckets_of_ink/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-b-11b789176/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/Buckets_of_Ink
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/buckets-of-ink
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bucketsofink/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/buckets-of-ink-tempe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bucketsofink