| To begin with, there are several types of pen which | | | | Perhaps the most important element is the artwork |
| are available; however, there are two types which | | | | and there are three types of methods most |
| are most suited for promotional needs. The first is | | | | commonly used for personalising promotional items |
| the rollerball pen which utilises water-based or gel ink; | | | | such as pens: laser engraving, screen printing and pad |
| the gel ink, particularly glitter-effect gel, may be a | | | | printing. Laser engraving isn't necessarily an |
| smart option if the intended audience is children or | | | | enormously costly option and makes for a high |
| one is looking to break the mould a little. The | | | | quality transfer method. This method however is |
| water-based, low viscosity ink also allows for a | | | | much more suited to lower quantity demands and |
| smoother feel and flows more freely than oil-based | | | | isn't as versatile as screen and pad printing. The two |
| ink. The second type, the ballpoint pen, is obviously | | | | printing methods have the advantage of being able |
| the most common of pens but there are advantages | | | | to print multi-coloured artwork, can be done with |
| to sticking with the standard choice. Firstly, the | | | | great accuracy and though there may be several |
| ballpoint uses oil-based ink and though, as I mentioned | | | | fees involved*, printing is reasonably cheap. When |
| above, it can require extra effort for the ink to flow | | | | deciding on the best options for adding the |
| freely, it dries on the page more rapidly and will tend | | | | promotional artwork, one must look at three |
| to last longer. A blue, black or even red inked ballpoint | | | | fundamental factors: quality of print (including |
| or rollerball pen is cheap, reliable, practical and | | | | longevity), versatility and costs and though prints |
| generally long-lived for the price. This then really is a | | | | may not last as long as an engraving (especially when |
| good choice to ensure plenty of exposure time to | | | | using metallic inks), screen and pad printing is the |
| graphics/artwork on the promotional pen. | | | | standard choice for bulk production. |
| Before proceeding to more substantial matters, I | | | | To conclude then, sticking with the standard choice |
| should perhaps mention novelty pens. Naturally it is | | | | rather than opting for the specious novelty pen |
| particularly tempting to choose some sort of novelty | | | | generally seems to be the way to go. Additionally, |
| pen for promotional needs; it'll probably stand out | | | | something such as being able to boast the use of |
| from the proverbial crowd and a big impression is | | | | recycled pens or having a rubber grip can go a long |
| certainly something worth seeking. However, one | | | | way in making sure promotional pens make a positive |
| should be aware that printing onto some novelty | | | | and lasting impression; all this, at a cost effective |
| pens may require slower, more accurate printing | | | | rate. |
| methods which ultimately are more expensive. Of | | | | *In order to screen or pad print, the manufacturer |
| course, there are pens of this nature which are | | | | will require a vector file of the artwork (see individual |
| designed to be personalised but other disadvantages | | | | retailers for specific requirements). If you don't |
| such as aesthetics, practicality, initial cost etc. must | | | | already have the software or know-how to do this, |
| also be taken into consideration. On a slightly related | | | | most good retailers/suppliers will do it for you; either |
| note, one shouldn't forget that something like rubber | | | | free of charge or, more usually, for a small fee. In |
| grip printed pens aren't some dismissible novelty; it | | | | addition, there is generally a charge for printing on |
| allows for a more comfortable writing experience and | | | | multiple positions on the pen and for the screen/plate |
| should encourage greater usage. | | | | (including set-up). |