Top 10 Promotional Pens and Pencils by Category - Promotional Gifts With a Difference

There is an almost limitless array of promotionalthan ever as promotional pens, mainly because prices
business gifts available in the marketplace today. Wehave dropped due to high levels of competition from
are bombarded with catalogues, emails and advertisingthe far-east. Their writing quality is unsurpassed but the
promoting them. It can be a bewildering task makingpoor longevity of the refills, when compared to ballpoint
the right decision on which one to choose, particularly ifpens will always be their biggest weakness.
you are new to promotional merchandise as a6. Markers: Increasingly markers are being used as
marketing tool. Of all the promotional gift categories,promotional items. They are quite often targeted at the
promotional pens must surely be the most prolific andseminar and conference end of business. Promotional
cost effective. In this short guide we look closely at thismarkers are either the dry-wipe or permanent type;
particular category and identify the different types andthe former being the most popular.
their level of popularity. They are listed in order of7. Mechanical Pencils: Whereas promotional pencils
popularity.made from wood are very popular, their cousin the
promotional mechanical pencil is much less so.
1. Ballpoint Pens: Without doubt, the most popularHowever, in the training and conference fields it has a
promotional pens are invariably ballpoint pens;certain degree of popularity. It is now more commonly
sometimes referred to as promotional ballpens. Theyused as a business gift when accompanied with a
are usually the cheapest, their refills last longer androllerball or ballpoint pen as part of a boxed set.
there is a vast range to choose from.8. Fountain Pens:  A very popular retail product but
2. Wooden Pencils: These cost-effective writingpromotional fountain pens have never been
instruments have long been popular as a promotionalmainstream. This is mainly due to to their higher price
item. Promotional pencils represent great value forand the fact that fountain pens have fallen out of
money, they are environmentally-friendly and have afashion. 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 becausegift and is occasionally used as part of a boxed set
of it smooth writing quality. Promotional Rollerballs aretogether with either a promotional pen or pencil.
usually more expensive than ballpoint pens because9. Fineliners: Once a reasonably popular item,
the refills have to be made with much greaterpromotional fineliners are not so any more. They tend
precision. Invariably these promotional pens come withto be more expensive than normal ballpoint pens and
a cap which also adds to the cost.have metal or polypropylene bodies which are difficult
4. Highlighters: This is often overlooked as aand more expensive to print than most other types of
promotional item but it is a powerful marketing tool,promotional pens.
particularly as many styles available today have very10. 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 recentHowever, they are more cost-effective than fineliners
times, particularly as prices have fallen due to thewith a similar writing quality. I hope you found this
lower manufacturing costs in the far-east.review useful in helping you decide on the promotional
5. Gel Pens: These are now becoming more popularpens that best suit your needs.