| I've only just bought that promotional pen and it has | | | | when analysing the reasons some personalised pens |
| run out already, I hear you say. Well we have all | | | | dry out quicker than others and that is because |
| experienced that at some time and discounting the | | | | cases can be made from different materials. Some |
| fact that the odd one here and there is faulty there | | | | are porous and allow the solvents to evaporate |
| are good technical reasons why some customised | | | | through them even when the cap is in position. As a |
| pens last longer than others. | | | | general rule plastic pens or highlighters made from |
| Firstly, not all inks are equal. Ballpoint pens use a very | | | | Styrene, PVC or ABS will not last as long as metal |
| thick oily solvent which does not evaporate quickly | | | | pens or pens made from polypropylene because |
| even with the cap off so they are less prone to | | | | these materials are not porous and consequently the |
| drying out. Not only that but the pigment to solvent | | | | solvents cannot migrate through their walls. |
| ratio is high so it needs less ink deposits to achieve | | | | So, why are promotional pens, markers and |
| strong blacks or blues and hence less is used. | | | | highlighters not always made from metal or |
| Rollerballs on the other hand require solvents that are | | | | polypropylene because surely it would solve this |
| very thin so they can flow more easily and these | | | | problem of drying out? There are two primary |
| tend to evaporate very quickly. Hence, a cap is | | | | reasons why they are not always made from metal |
| normally required on a rollerball to prevent the solvent | | | | or polypropylene and these are either price or |
| drying out. The pigment to solvent ratio is also lower | | | | difficulties in printing the barrels when used as a |
| in a rollerball so a larger amount of wet ink is actually | | | | business gift or a promotional item. Polypropylene has |
| deposited when writing to achieve the same density | | | | to be flamed to reduce the surface tension before it |
| of colour as a ballpoint pen. This problems also seen | | | | can be printed and this is dangerous and costly. If the |
| with promotional markers and promotional highlighters | | | | cases are made from metal they are expensive so |
| where very volatile solvents have to be used to aid | | | | as price is king in the promotional pen market some |
| fast drying when used for writing or marking. | | | | manufacturers choose to use normal plastic materials |
| There is one other very important consideration | | | | which gives them a price advantage. |