Promotional Advertising Pens for Marketing and Giveaways

Promotional ink pens are one of the most common items chosen by businesses and organizations looking for a cost-efficient way to spread brand awareness. Whether it’s in the office, at home, or traveling, pens are used on a daily basis and have a truly universal appeal. They're also small and lightweight, which makes them a good choice for direct mail or event marketing.

Below we discuss the most prominent types of promotional advertising pens used by businesses as a part of their marketing and advertising campaigns, as well as some of the primary imprinting and customization considerations. Since pens are such a popular promotional item there are usually thousands to choose from. Your target audience has probably received one before, and the key to getting the best return on investment from your pen purchase is selecting and customizing a pen so it clearly conveys your advertising and branding message.

Ballpoints and Rollerballs
The most common types of promotional pen are ballpoint and rollerball. Ballpoint pens use an oil-based ink and require more pressure when you write, so they are ideal for use with carbon copies. Also, since they use oil-ink, the ink won't run if it gets wet. Rollerball pens use water-based ink and a different ball mechanism. They require less pressure when writing and the ink will run if saturated. You'll find plenty of ballpoints and rollerballs in our promotional pen department for a variety of prices, such as our cheap promotional pens under $2. Gel pens, which are becoming more common, are a mix of the two. They use a water-based ink that is more viscous like an oil-based ink, and a ball mechanism that has similarities to both ballpoint and rollerball pens. While ballpoint pens are more durable, many people prefer the feel of writing with a rollerball or gel pen. Since your company logo is visible when the pen is used, it's important to pick a pen that your recipients will enjoy using in the long-term. For example, a rollerball might be a better gift to corporate clients because they may prefer the feel and style of the pen in comparison to standard ballpoint pens their office provides.

Click, Twist and Stick
There are three common pen designs. Stick pens consist of a barrel and cap and are probably the most conventional. Click pens have a clicking mechanism that exposes or retracts the point, while twist pens use a twist mechanism to do the same. Again, it's a matter of personal choice. Click and twist pens often serve a dual function as their maneuvering capabilities can serve as a stress relief toy. There are plenty of options available for all three types to fit your promotional needs and budget.

Highlighters and Markers
Promotional highlighters are another popular advertising item. Since they're generally larger than a writing pen, they usually have a larger imprint area, which enables you to have more options with your logo design and other artwork services. Highlighters are normally used in an office environment, so they're a good choice for a B2B promotion. Before I worked in the promotional products industry I had already noticed two things about highlighters. First, if I didn't have a promotional highlighter on my desk, I probably didn't have a highlighter at all. Second, if I was going around the office asking my coworkers if they had a writing utensil I could borrow, it was usually a highlighter. A majority of the more effective promotional products are something practical that can be used every day; highlighters are a great example.

Unique Promotional Pens: Light-up, Novelty and Message Pens
There are thousands of types of promotional pens, and some of them really stand out. Some novelty pens incorporate a shape or theme that align well with your brand image or mission statement. Light-up and glow pens are a great tradeshow giveaway because they attract attention and drive prospective clients to your booth. Message pens, or video pens, use the click mechanism to display a scrolling message which gives you the opportunity to be creative, or simply convey more information compared with a basic promotional pen.

Stylus and Multifunction Pens
Stylus and multifunction pens are a growing category as PDAs and other electronic devices are becoming more popular. Choosing a multifunction pen branded with your message increases the likelihood it will be more useful and durable than other writing utensils received by that client; ultimately establishing greater brand recognition.

Artwork, Imprinting and Customization
Pens are typically pad printed or screen printed. Depending on the type of pen, you can have your logo and other information printed on the barrel, the cap and/or the clip. Imprint locations and the number of colors will vary from pen to pen, so if your logo uses three colors and you need all three on the pen, keep that consideration in mind from the beginning of your selection process. Also keep in mind that the imprint area on a pen is always limited, regardless of what type you choose. Think about what information you really need to accomplish your marketing and advertising goals. If it's more than a short line or two of text, you may want to consider creative ways to revise your message or other products that may give you more space to work with.