How many people carry a pen on them at all times? An astounding 73%. This amazing fact proves that distributing custom pens at trade shows or around the office can create opportune chances to expand a business. Every time a person uses a pen with your branding on it, they participate in your advertising strategy. Promotional pens are an excellent marketing tool that is both affordable and effective in attracting potential new clients.
Choosing an ideal pen, at times, can prove to be a challenge. Whether for taking down contact numbers, important dates, or simply a name, we believe there is a perfect pen for every purpose.
To help shine some light on the world of promotional pens, we have compiled a comprehensive list of types of pens along with their primary uses.
Ballpoint pens
Printed ballpoint pens, or biros, became a practical choice for many considering their well-known reliability and durability.
In this type of pen, ink is dispensed in a paste-like form over a metal ball at its point, which enables cleaner writing in contrast to fountain pens and dip pens. Instead of water-based ink, they commonly employ oil-based ink, which is less prone to smudging. They rarely tend to get clogged, and if such an instance occurs, rolling the ball in different directions can fix the issue. Furthermore, due to their fast-drying ink, we recommend them as a favourable option for left-handed writers.
A disadvantage of ballpoint pens is that they tend to demand higher pressure on the paper to discharge ink. Thus, we must point out, they might not be suitable for long periods of writing. After frequent use, they can cause wrist strains and possible hand injuries. Also, they can create troublesome blobs while writing because the ink’s consistency is much thicker.
Key features:
- Oil-based ink in a variety of colours
- Metal ball nib for clean writing
- Removable cap
- Low price when purchased in bulk
Rollerball pens
Branded rollerball pens, also known as roll pens, use the same ballpoint mechanism as ballpoint pens but require less pressure when writing. They allow wider strokes and saturate more deeply onto the paper, giving it a distinctive feeling that some find agreeable. Also, rollerball pens are convenient for creating fine and dark lines.
These pens use water-based ink, which you can easily remove from clothing or fingers in case of mishaps. That is why we suggest them for frequent or everyday writing purposes.
However, rollerball pens tend to run out of ink quicker than ballpoint pens as they use a greater amount of ink while writing. Also, they use liquid ink, which can cause “bleeding” through the page and smudging.
Key features:
- Water-based ink in black colour
- Metal ball nib which glides easily
- Removable cap
- Low price when purchased in bulk
Gel pens
Custom gel pens are a popular choice for many users. Similarly to rollerball pens, they use water-based ink that comes out in liquid form and then solidifies on paper over a short period of time. The gel ink can be purchased in various colours and allows smooth gliding hand motions. However, quick-drying gel pens are a better option for left-handed writers, as they offer less smudging than rollerball pens.
We recommend them as enjoyable options for children, as well as for creating illustrations and colour-coding documents.
While gel pens are designed similarly to ordinary ink-based ones, they have a thin tip size which produces a lot of feedback (a feeling when the nib drags over the page). That is why we caution against using gel pens on glossy surfaces, such as receipts. On the other hand, they tend to skip if insufficient pressure is applied to the pen. Like rollerball pens, they have a longer drying time and shorter ink life.
Key features:
- Water-based ink in a variety of colours
- Metal ball nib or felt tip
- Removable cap
- Affordable price
Brand Name Pens
Promotional brand name pens are nowadays considered luxury goods and highly desired collectibles. They come in a variety of sizes, while their water-based ink ranges in colours. Depending on an individual’s need, metal nibs come in different shapes.
In terms of their use, they require less pressure to write with and can be used for artistic purposes. We suggest pigmented inks over dye-based ones if you require waterproof brand name pens.
In spite of their popularity, luxury pens are not ideal for certain types of paper, such as inexpensive copy paper. Similarly, the ink is more likely to feather and bleed on glossier surfaces. Another drawback is that they can be quite pricey. In addition, regular cleaning is a must because, unlike some other pens, these are refillable and reusable. Furthermore, they come with caps, but unlike with ballpoint or rollerball pens, losing one will result in tossing away a fountain pen worth £50.
Key features:
- Water-based ink in black colour
- Metal nib for neat writing
- Removable cap
- Costly
Related content:
Affordable Custom Pens – Unparalleled in Promoting Your Brand
Finding the Best Pen for You
Corporate gifts with a logo or a brand name still remain one of the most potent tools in the marketing world. As a matter of fact, logo pens are more frequently used in people’s daily lives than any other imprinted giveaway.
People will associate your promotional pens with success if they use them on a regular basis. As your clients successfully complete tasks with a custom pen in hand, they are more likely to associate your brand with their own personal accomplishments.
With years of experience proving our worth, we are confident in our ability to provide a perfect pen type for every occasion.
For larger-scale promotions, we suggest ballpoint and rollerball pens as efficient and affordable options. Gel pens can prove suitable for artistic and casual events. However, if you really want to leave a long-lasting impression of class and elegance, we encourage investing your promotional dimes in luxurious brand name pens.
The choice is yours.
You may also like:
Promo Pens – Maximise the Potential of Different Ink Colours
Check out our full collection of promo pens which includes plastic pens, metal pens, pencils, and unusual pens. If you require further information or have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today. You may also wish to consider complementing your order of pens with some personalised notebooks or some logo notepads which are sure to be well received by customers and employees alike!
