| There is an almost limitless array of promotional | | | | have dropped due to high levels of competition from |
| business gifts available in the marketplace today. We | | | | the far-east. Their writing quality is unsurpassed but |
| are bombarded with catalogues, emails and | | | | the poor longevity of the refills, when compared to |
| advertising promoting them. It can be a bewildering | | | | ballpoint pens will always be their biggest weakness. |
| task making the right decision on which one to | | | | 6. Markers: Increasingly markers are being used as |
| choose, particularly if you are new to promotional | | | | promotional items. They are quite often targeted at |
| merchandise as a marketing tool. Of all the | | | | the seminar and conference end of business. |
| promotional gift categories, promotional pens must | | | | Promotional markers are either the dry-wipe or |
| surely be the most prolific and cost effective. In this | | | | permanent type; the former being the most popular. |
| short guide we look closely at this particular category | | | | 7. Mechanical Pencils: Whereas promotional pencils |
| and identify the different types and their level of | | | | made from wood are very popular, their cousin the |
| popularity. They are listed in order of popularity. | | | | promotional mechanical pencil is much less so. |
| | | | However, in the training and conference fields it has a |
| 1. Ballpoint Pens: Without doubt, the most popular | | | | certain degree of popularity. It is now more |
| promotional pens are invariably ballpoint pens; | | | | commonly used as a business gift when accompanied |
| sometimes referred to as promotional ballpens. They | | | | with a rollerball or ballpoint pen as part of a boxed |
| are usually the cheapest, their refills last longer and | | | | set. |
| there is a vast range to choose from. | | | | 8. Fountain Pens: A very popular retail product but |
| 2. Wooden Pencils: These cost-effective writing | | | | promotional fountain pens have never been |
| instruments have long been popular as a promotional | | | | mainstream. This is mainly due to to their higher price |
| item. Promotional pencils represent great value for | | | | and the fact that fountain pens have fallen out of |
| money, they are environmentally-friendly and have a | | | | fashion. However, it is still regarded as an important |
| certain nostalgia associated with them. | | | | promotional item when used as an executive business |
| 3. Rollerballs: This type of pen is often chosen | | | | gift and is occasionally used as part of a boxed set |
| because of it smooth writing quality. Promotional | | | | together with either a promotional pen or pencil. |
| Rollerballs are usually more expensive than ballpoint | | | | 9. Fineliners: Once a reasonably popular item, |
| pens because the refills have to be made with much | | | | promotional fineliners are not so any more. They tend |
| greater precision. Invariably these promotional pens | | | | to be more expensive than normal ballpoint pens and |
| come with a cap which also adds to the cost. | | | | have metal or polypropylene bodies which are difficult |
| 4. Highlighters: This is often overlooked as a | | | | and more expensive to print than most other types |
| promotional item but it is a powerful marketing tool, | | | | of promotional pens. |
| particularly as many styles available today have very | | | | 10. Fibre Tips: As promotional pens these are hardly |
| large print areas to carry your corporate message. | | | | ever used today for the same reason as fineliners. |
| Promotional highlighters are gaining popularity in recent | | | | However, they are more cost-effective than |
| times, particularly as prices have fallen due to the | | | | fineliners with a similar writing quality. I hope you |
| lower manufacturing costs in the far-east. | | | | found this review useful in helping you decide on the |
| 5. Gel Pens: These are now becoming more popular | | | | promotional pens that best suit your needs. |
| than ever as promotional pens, mainly because prices | | | | |