Printed Promotional Pens

One of the most popular gifts perhaps because they are always useful and used, and because they offer great value. Use pens for mailshots to improve response and recall, for giving out at exhibitions or when visiting customers. With a promotional pen, your company name and number are always at hand. There's a style to suit your taste, and a price to fit your budget

Are pens truly mightier than the sword?

And that's certainly the case when you consider how vital it is to get the most appropriate branding for your company. Pens are one of the most effective and popular items in a promotional merchandise buyer's arsenal and the reason for this is simple - pens are cost-effective, great at getting your message across, and above all, useful.

Function is Key One of the most important attributes any item of promotional merchandise can have is that it must be used. There is no point in spending a fortune on fantastic whiz-bang items, no matter how well you think they represent your brand, if the person you send them to isn't going to use them and therefore be reminded of your company.

It's because pens serve such a useful function that they continue to be one of the most popular items of promotional merchandise. And even in the 21st Century with its promise of mobile phones the size of paperclips and portable computers you can wear in the collar of your jacket, it's still very evident that pens are here to stay. Just look at how well they've managed to re-write the obituary that predicted their demise at the hands of the paperless office.

Corporate Branding Practically speaking, the barrel of a pen is the ideal position on which to print a logo, a company name, or a web address. If you want you company name to be prominent even when the pen is not in use, the clip is the perfect place to place your brand identity so that it's on view for all to see if worn in a shirt pocket.

Pens come in such a huge variety of colours that it should be possible to get a pen with a similar, if not exact, reproduction of your corporate colour and new finishes are being created all the time so there's enough variety to ensure you can be different from your competitors.

Not content with merely producing different finishes, pen manufacturers are also reshaping and reinventing how pens look and feel. If you want to really set yourself apart from the crowd, why not send your clients or suppliers a pen that can gradually change its shape so its grip becomes tailored to the user.

If being a hi-tech is more in-line with the philosophy or nature of your company, you might opt instead for a 'video message' pen which enables you to display your promotional message on up to eight lines of text that are displayed through 'windows' on either side of the barrel. Beware of getting caught up in the moment and opting for something that's overly gimmicky, however. A pen that plays the Bob the Builder 'Can we fix it?' theme tune as it squirts green ink is not likely to be used in many corporate boardrooms, which won't do your business any favours if it's a company that offers business consultancy advice.

Picking the perfect pen Selecting the right pen can be pretty tricky as there is a large range of different types available. Here are few of the different possibilities to choose from:

Roller balls - an elegant writing tool with a smooth and fluid action Automatic pencil - all the advantages of an everlasting pencil, but with the added style of a pen.

Fountain pen - a traditional writing implement that has connotations of quality, style and individuality.

Ballpoint pen - the ubiquitous ballpoint pen is a modern classic and the perfect instrument for almost any occasion.

Fibre tip - fibre tip pens come in a variety of nib sizes and are practical and a little bit different

Top Tips for buying pens

Any piece of promotional merchandise you buy should reflect the values of your company - make sure the merchandise you choose reflects your brand values well. As well as conveying the right message about your brand you should never forget who will be using the pen you send. Make sure you consider your audience because you will want them to use the pen for as long as possible. The nature of the promotional merchandise industry is that lead times can often be tight. Make sure you give yourself as much time as possible because then you are much more likely to get exactly what you are looking for.

Pay attention to design. Recipients are far more likely to hold on to a pen if it looks good and suits their own sense of style.

If it doesn't write smoothly it doesn't matter how good it looks, the pen will end up in the bin. Make sure it works. Pens are very functional, but they do provide enough space to identify your brand. Use the space well to reinforce your company's message. Be original. The more interesting and attractive the pen is, the more likely the user will be to keep it - but remember to watch out for those gimmicks!