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