| In a poll for the top three or four powerful promotional | | | | standard refill? There is, of course, a substantial |
| products a custom pen will always score well and | | | | difference in price between the two options; likewise if |
| usually finish at the top or close to the top. In truth, | | | | you decide on a metal barrel rather than the standard |
| virtually all organizations of any size use pens or | | | | plastic. |
| promotional pencils at varying levels to support their | | | | Having evaluated the lower cost cheap and cheerful |
| marketing program. | | | | promotional pens and moved up through the various |
| Many financial institutions offer custom pens as a free | | | | levels you are almost at the bottom end of the |
| "come-on" to encourage a response to newspaper | | | | household names. These include international brand |
| and magazine advertising while charities use stick pens | | | | names such as Parker with the Jotter pen - no cap - |
| as a giveaway in their mailing packages. At the other | | | | and the ubiquitous Vector rollerball. Here it gets really |
| end of the scale, but now increasingly rarely, is the gold | | | | complicated with barrels made from high-impact ABS |
| pen, presented for 50 years loyal and faithful service. | | | | plastic, brass or steel as you work your way through |
| In between these two extremes you will find ballpoint | | | | the Parker Insignia and Rialto ranges. |
| pens, gel pens and logo pens in conference goody | | | | Now you are in a completely different ballpark with a |
| bags as well as travel packs on overseas trips. | | | | choice that includes Waterman, Sheaffer, Quill, Cross |
| If you are looking for a "cheapie", you cannot get | | | | and perhaps the most sought after pen of all, Mont |
| better than a stick pen - the classic stick pen is the | | | | Blanc. |
| original Bic model although many Far Eastern variations | | | | Perhaps Quill is not as well known outside the United |
| are somewhat cheaper. Sometimes a stick pen will | | | | States as it should be but nevertheless in its home |
| come with a cap, as in the original Bic, but usually it is | | | | territory it is a beacon of quality and excellence. If |
| without a cap to keep the price at rock bottom. More | | | | money is not a problem a Mont Blanc fountain pen is |
| often than not, this type of pen has a screen-printed | | | | the personification of luxury and prestige. However, if |
| "ad" in one color or perhaps it is foil blocked. Though | | | | the finances do not stretch as far as a Mont Blanc |
| often part of a mailer, it has its uses as a giveaway in | | | | then Cross has elegant ballpoint pens and traditional |
| boxes of twelve or even 144 to penetrate every level | | | | fountain pens in abundance for both men and women. |
| of a target company. | | | | The brand has an unsurpassed reputation for stylish |
| If you want to invest a little more money on advertising | | | | engineering and is a most acceptable gift at any time. |
| pens you can add a few pennies and look at a | | | | If pens of this quality are used as corporate |
| click-pen; so called because of its mechanism that | | | | promotional gifts it is paramount that the |
| causes the ballpoint to retract when not in use. | | | | personalization should equal the quality of the pen and |
| Regrettably, many such pens have a tendency to leak | | | | this surely means laser engraving or chemical etching. |
| when not in use and can play havoc with jackets, | | | | Advertising pens and pencils are remarkable |
| shirts and blouses. | | | | promotional items and an essential part of the |
| The halfway house in plastic advertising pens is | | | | traditional marketing mix. Whether the cost is a few |
| fiercely competitive and here there is a major decision. | | | | pennies or well into three figures the return on |
| Is your pen a throwaway item or does it have a | | | | investment is usually considerable. |