Never underestimate the power of a promotional pen. Although these are typically considered low-cost, they are arguably one of the most useful items you can give to a customer or client.
Chances are, you have at least one or two promotional pens hidden at the bottom of your purse or desk drawer. They hide away in your junk drawer, your center console in your car, or your work-from-home desk. No matter where those promotional pens are, it's likely that you won't be throwing them away anytime soon.
The best promotional pens are easy to write with, flexible in design, and provide a smooth writing experience. Consumers are looking for a pen that won't drag or scratch against the paper.
As you explore the best custom pens for your brand, you’ll want to be more mindful of the options you choose to go with because not every promotional pen provides the same writing experience. If the pen doesn’t meet your customer’s standards, it could negatively impact how they view your brand.
We’re here to help you find the best pens for marketing and provide you with some of our top choices for small businesses.
Let’s take a closer look:
The Benefits of Pens for Marketing
Appeal to a Larger Audience
Everyone needs a pen to use throughout the day. Custom pens for business are the perfect giveaway item that you can ensure your clients, prospects, and employees will find a use for. Whether it’s for school, work, or to have around the house, whenever they need a pen, your brand will be top of mind.
Great for any Occasion
If you have a relatively small budget or are looking to add a branded touch to a table for an event, you can't go wrong with pens. Promotional pens for small businesses are great for events, client meetings, and everything in between. Whether you need a giveaway item to give to your clients or looking for something you can keep at the front desk, a pen is sure to leave that lasting impression you're hoping to achieve.
Increase Brand Exposure
Everywhere that pen goes, your brand will gain authentic exposure. Whether it’s at the university, the office, or sitting around at home: That pen is sure to be noticed by everyone that needs to use it.
Pens also have a long lifetime value. It takes a while for them to run out of ink before someone throws it away. This means you can increase the longevity of your marketing efforts for as low as .50 cents a pen.
Low-Cost Giveaway Item
There are not tons of promotional products that can provide you with a high ROI for less than $1. Pens are a low-cost alternative to expensive promotional solutions, with the same high return on investment you’re looking for. Since you can brand a high-quality pen for less than $1 a pen, you can feel good about allocating a portion of your marketing budget towards custom pens for business.
How to Choose the Best Promotional Pens
Budget
Promotional pens are designed to fit just about any budget. If you have a higher budget and are looking for a low quantity, you may choose a higher-quality option.
Purpose
Every marketing initiative needs to have a purpose. Once you nail down your purpose, you can find the best promotional pens for your marketing efforts. Are you looking for a sleek and chic design for the office? Do you need something bold and bright for an upcoming event? Maybe, you want a reliable pen that your sales team can use while they're out in the field at client meetings all day.
Branding
With custom pens, it’s always best to keep your branding clear and concise. They typically have a small imprint area and don’t have the most creative branding capabilities. It’s recommended to keep your branding simple and easy to read. Consider going with a logo that will fit the length of the pen and printing with one to two colors.
If you don't have the best size logo for pens, connect with your design team to see if there is a workaround to ensure your logo is expertly showcased on pens for marketing.
Top 8 Promotional Pens for Small Business
Cap off Pens
Cap-off pens are pens where the cap is removed. These pens sometimes have a variety of branding capabilities and are great for showcasing colorful designs. However, if someone loses the cap, they may feel inclined to retire the pen.
- Legacy LED Light Ballpoint Stylus Pen
- Choose from over 10 different fun colors
- Provides a high perceived value
- Features a LED light and a stylus
- Features an aluminum cap
Stylus Pens
These are two-in-one pens that make it easy to use touchscreen devices. These are the best custom pens for tech events, business giveaways, and clients.
La Jolla Stylus Pen- Over 10 different playful colors to pair your brand with
- Sleek metallic barrel with chrome accents
- Features a professional stylus
- Large imprint space to work with
Gel Ink Pens
Gel Ink pens are a top choice for brands looking to invest in high-quality pens because they practically glide across the paper when you go to write. They are easy to use, reliable, and will always complement your branding.
Rio Gel Pen With Contoured Rubber Grip- Comes in over eight different colors
- Features a contoured rubber grip for a better writing experience
- Great for events and university giveaways
- Perfect for bold branding ideas
Retractable Pens
Retractable pens are one of the most popular options you have available. They are easy to use and come in a variety of colors, styles, and designs.
The Nash Pen- Over 14 different colors and color combinations to choose from
- Soft grip
- Retractable ballpoint pen
- Great go-to giveaway to have around the office
Executive Pens
Executive pens provide your branding with a high-end look and professional feel. They are typically higher in cost, heavier in weight, and have unreal writing experience. These are perfect for milestone gifts for employees or holiday gifts for customers.
Cross Calais Chrome Ballpoint Pen- Sophisticated design with chrome accents
- Smooth ballpoint black ink
- Includes lifetime mechanical guarantee
- Comes in a signature Cross gift box
Novelty Pens
These pens are fun, playful, and perfect for events. They’re colorful and unique, so your branding will stand out from the rest of the competition.
Jumbo Moptopper Desk Pen- High-quality ball-point pen with a smiley face on top
- Comes in nine different fun colors
- Smiley face doubles as a screen cleaner
- Great for children, universities, and appealing to a younger audience
Shop for the Best Promotional Pens with Bagmasters We'll be the first to tell you that there is more to pens than what meets the eye. When shopping for pens to brand, there's a lot you'll want to consider to ensure you have high-quality products to complement your business.
At Bagmasters, we have a variety of pens of every size, style and at different price points.
Start shopping today if you're ready to explore the power of the best promotional pens.