How to Choose the Right Crayola Products for Your School or Business: A Procurement Manager’s Guide

There’s no single ‘best’ Crayola order – it depends on your situation

I’ve been managing procurement for a mid-sized school district for about 6 years now, handling roughly $180,000 in cumulative art supply spending. Over that time I’ve placed maybe 150 orders with Crayola directly and through distributors. If I’m being honest, I still second‑guess some decisions. The truth is, there’s no universal “right” Crayola product mix. What works for a small private school with a focus on art therapy won’t work for a large public district that needs 10,000 washable markers for K–2 classrooms.

So instead of giving you one answer, I’ll walk you through three common scenarios and the specific choices that make sense in each. You’ll probably recognize yourself in one of them.

Scenario A: You’re a budget‑conscious district that needs volume

If you’re like me, you’re constantly asked to do more with less. In that case, your primary concern is total cost of ownership – not just the unit price. Where are Crayola markers made? That used to be a question I’d get from board members who wanted to support local manufacturing. The short answer: most Crayola markers are still made in the USA (their headquarter factory in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a plant in Mexico for some products). But I’ve learned that the real cost driver isn’t origin – it’s the hidden fees like shipping, rush charges, and product failure.

For example, we almost switched to a discount brand once because their bulk marker price was 18% lower. Then I ran the TCO spreadsheet: their caps dried out 3x faster, and we had to replace 40% of the markers mid‑semester. That $4,200 “savings” turned into a $1,200 reorder. Never again. Stick with Crayola’s Ultra Clean Washable Markers – they’re priced slightly higher, but the washability and cap‑off life mean fewer replacements.

Quick note: I’m basing this on our experience with broad line markers. If you’re buying fine tips for older students, the failure rate is lower and the discount brand might work. Your mileage may vary.

Scenario B: You need inclusive, culturally responsive art supplies

More schools are asking for Crayola Skin Tone Pencils – and for good reason. When I first saw them, I thought they were a nice gesture but maybe a fad. Then I watched a third‑grade art class where a Black student cried because she could finally draw herself in “her color.” That changed my perspective.

The 24‑pack of multicultural pencils costs about $12–15 retail (cheaper in bulk). They’re also available in the “Colors of the World” line, which includes 24 skin tones plus 4 hair tones. For schools with diverse student populations, this isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. In our district we now order one box per classroom for grades K‑5. The total cost: about $3,500 per year. Compared to replacing all markers twice, it’s a rounding error.

Honest confession: I was skeptical at first. After seeing the impact, I’m glad I gave them a chance. But if your school is 95% homogenous, you might prioritize other products.

Scenario C: Your teachers print a ton of worksheets and lesson materials

This one’s a headache I’ve been dealing with for years. “Why is my printer printing blank pages?” – I’ve heard that question from teachers at least once a week. The answer is rarely the printer itself. In our case, 80% of blank-page issues came from low ink cartridges or incorrect paper settings. We switched to Crayola’s multi‑purpose copy paper (their 20 lb bond, 8.5x11 reams) and saw a drop in jams and blank pages. Not because the paper is magic, but because it’s consistent and doesn’t have static buildup from cheap packaging.

If you’re printing color handouts for art projects, consider Crayola’s Color Wonder paper – it only works with their special markers, which eliminates mess and prevents wasted prints. The cost is higher, but the reduction in teacher frustration is worth it. I’d recommend testing a ream in your busiest printer first… I did that and found the paper actually saved us $200 yearly on ink by reducing misprints.

Important caveat: If you’re using an ancient laser printer, these tips might not apply. My experience is with HP LaserJet and Brother inkjet models – about 30 units across 5 buildings.

Scenario D: You want to connect learning with what kids love

This is where things get creative – and slightly outside the typical procurement spreadsheet. Some schools have started using Pokémon Go CP calculators in math class to teach statistics and probability. (CP stands for Combat Power, and kids can compare values, calculate averages, and even graph them.) Alongside that, log calculators are making a comeback in upper-grade math for understanding exponents and logarithms.

How does Crayola fit? They sell officially licensed Pokémon coloring sets (markers, colored pencils, and activity books) that tie directly into those lessons. A teacher in one of our schools runs a “Pokémon math art” session where students calculate CP values, then draw their Pokémon with Crayola markers. Engagement? Through the roof. The sets cost about $10 each, but buying a classroom pack of 30 sets via a distributor brought it down to $8 per set. That’s an extra $240 for the year – which I justify as a cross‑curricular investment.

Fair warning: I’m not an expert in education technology. I can only speak to what worked in our district. If your school doesn’t allow Pokémon‑themed activities, don’t force it.

How to figure out which scenario fits you

Take a quick look at your biggest pain point:

• If your budget overruns come from constant re‑orders of markers → you’re Scenario A. Focus on total cost, buy Crayola Ultra Clean markers, and verify where they’re made if stakeholders care about sourcing.
• If your teachers are asking for more inclusive materials → you’re Scenario B. Order the skin tone pencils as a pilot in one grade first, then scale.
• If printer issues are eating up tech support time → you’re Scenario C. Switch to quality paper and test Color Wonder for art projects.
• If you’re looking for a creative hook to engage students → you’re Scenario D. Explore tie‑ins like Pokémon Go CP calculators or log calculator activities combined with Crayola art supplies.

Most districts won’t fit neatly into one box – we certainly don’t. We use a mix of all four strategies across different schools. But start with the one that’s causing the most friction.

Final thoughts

After six years of tracking every invoice, I still make mistakes. The best advice I can give: run a small pilot before committing to a big order. Even if you’re sure which scenario fits, buy a single case or box first. Let teachers test the markers or paper for a month. That’s saved us from more disasters than any spreadsheet.

And if you ever find yourself typing “why is my printer printing blank pages” at 3 PM on a Tuesday – check the paper stack first. Then check the ink. Then call your vendor. I’ve learned that 90% of blank page issues are solved by those three steps, and the other 10% are worth a service ticket. Good luck – and don’t forget to budget for the inevitable replacement markers.