about us
Our creative studio is dedicated to elevating modern brands. From small projects to full-scale initiatives, we craft thoughtful, strategic work—and partner with a trusted team of creatives when you need a higher level of support.
Whether you’re launching something new, refreshing your brand, or need ongoing creative support, we offer a full range of services tailored to meet you where you are—no matter the size or scope of the project.
meet the founder
Stephanie Surz
Stephanie is the creative mind behind The Ink Collective.
With more than 12 years in senior marketing roles across Chicagoland and a strong desire for the work/life balance missing in her most recent corporate role as Marketing Director, she decided it was time to make her dream of opening a creative agency into a reality.
Local owners and growing businesses were reaching out to Steph for help with their branding and marketing, and it became clear there was a real need for thoughtful, hands-on creative support.
That sparked the idea for The Ink Collective—a studio built to help brands & businesses grow with strategic direction, strong storytelling, and elevated design.
Her passion to help elevate her clients’ vision grew with the idea to provide custom-designed merchandise. This led Stephanie to open her own in-house print studio to bring high-quality apparel and (soon) stationery directly to her clients.
Today, she blends creativity, strategy, and community pride to help brands shine in a way that feels authentic and modern.
background & expertise
Stephanie began her career in journalism as an editor for a publication in downtown Chicago, reporting on commercial real estate and construction. That foundation in storytelling, clarity, and communication continues to influence her work and approach to branding.
Her transition into marketing opened the door to design, strategy, and content development—areas where she quickly thrived in. She has helped grow local businesses, emerging brands, and even national companies by diving right into market research and analysis, thoughtful creative problem-solving, and executing plans for what resonates in today’s market.
A designer and DIY-er at heart, Stephanie brings both creativity and strategy to every project. She lives in Barrington, IL with her husband Nick, their two toddlers, and their Cavapoo, Ivy, and remains actively involved in the community she loves.
Get in touch.
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