Meet Kyle Barnes of Elevated Ink Works

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Barnes.

Hi Kyle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Kyle and Lauren were in the middle of a home refresh, staring at sample books and contractor quotes for wallpaper. The verdict: to make wallpaper look right, the walls needed skim coating—lots of it. More dust. More days. More dollars. Somewhere between the spreadsheets and the shop-vac, one of them said, “We wish a printer existed that could just… print on walls.”

Cue the Google rabbit hole. Turns out, it does exist: a vertical printer that lays down crisp, durable graphics directly on nearly any surface—brick, concrete, drywall, you name it. No seams, no paste, no weeks of prep. But there was a catch: no one in Colorado was offering it. Furthermore, it doesn’t require skim coating and works great on texture!

That was the spark.

Kyle, a tech-obsessed problem solver, dove into specs, tolerances, and calibration curves. Lauren, the she-E-O with an eye for design and a bias for clean execution, mapped the client experience end-to-end—consultation to final wipe-down. Together, they asked a bigger question: if this solves our pain, how many architects, designers, builders, and business owners are stuck with the same trade-offs—mess, waste, and limitations?

They brought the first professional vertical printing service to Colorado and built a process around it: fast, precise, and tidy. Suddenly, bold murals, brand walls, and wayfinding could go straight to the surface—no skim coat required. Schools got mascots that pop on cinder block. Breweries got texture-rich graphics on brick. Offices got logos that look like they’ve always belonged.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When Lauren and Kyle brought vertical printing to Colorado, they weren’t just introducing a new service—they were introducing a new concept. Nobody knew what it was. Architects, designers, and homeowners understood vinyl, paint, and wallpaper—but “printing directly on walls” sounded like science fiction.

That unfamiliarity came with a price. Every new customer required not just a sale, but an education. Demos, videos, and hands-on explanations became part of every conversation, driving the cost to acquire new customers much higher than traditional services. Marketing added another layer of challenge—most marketing experts had no playbook for something this unique. Typical ad campaigns and search strategies didn’t fit, because people weren’t searching for a solution they didn’t know existed.

Lauren and Kyle had to build awareness from the ground up—crafting visuals, reels, and in-person showcases to prove the technology’s value. Slowly but surely, curiosity turned to excitement, and skepticism turned to repeat business.

We’ve been impressed with Elevated Ink Works, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Elevated Ink Works is Colorado’s premier vertical printing service — where technology meets design to transform walls into works of art. We specialize in printing directly onto virtually any surface — brick, concrete, drywall, wood, metal, glass, and more — without the mess or limitations of vinyl, paint, or wallpaper. Our UV-cured ink bonds permanently to the surface, delivering vivid, durable, and precise results that simply can’t be achieved with traditional methods.

What sets us apart is innovation and craftsmanship. We’re not just printers — we’re problem solvers and collaborators. Whether it’s a brand wall for a business, a mural in a school, a textured art installation, or a high-end residential design, we bring creative visions to life with unmatched precision and efficiency.

Brand-wise, we’re most proud of how Elevated Ink Works has introduced a completely new capability to Colorado’s design and construction community. Our mission is simple: to make extraordinary design accessible, durable, and seamlessly integrated into the built environment. We help our clients elevate their spaces — one wall at a time.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was endlessly curious — the kind of kid who took things apart just to see how they worked (and occasionally figured out how to put them back together). I was drawn to all things technology, fascinated by how innovation connects people and solves problems. At the same time, I loved being outdoors — hiking, camping, snowboarding — anything that mixed exploration with challenge.

That love for the outdoors eventually led me to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, which taught me leadership, perseverance, and the importance of service. Those lessons have stuck with me ever since.

Movies were (and still are) a huge part of my life; I’m a total movie buff who loves storytelling in every form. Personality-wise, I’ve always been obsessively curious and an avid reader — someone who dives deep into whatever captures my attention and doesn’t stop until I’ve figured out how it works.

Pricing:

• $25/sqft

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elevatedinkworks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedinkworks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedinkworks/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedInkWorks