Personalized pens offer the small business owner a high return on investment: many of these custom pens cost only pennies each and can remain on your customers’/clients’ desks for weeks, months, and even years – serving as a subtle (dare we say subliminal) advertisement for your company.

The top three things to know about promotional pens:

1) Promotional pens are a tangible – and semi-permanent – way to remind customers of your company, while attracting new customers who see the pens.
2) Advertising pens, especially in the form of fun novelty pens, give you a lot of punch for a little money.
3) Engraved pens, pen sets and executive pens – which can double as advertising pens – make dual-purpose gifts – they’re the perfect business gift to either employees or customers – yet they’re still subtle reminders of you, the one who gave them such a high-quality, lasting gift.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the many styles/types of promotional pens before making your choice

Depending on your needs, your budget, your customers and clients, and how/when you will give out these pens, you may want to choose more than one style to address specific needs.

I recommend: Visit Business.com’s Promotional Writing Instruments for a goldmine of resources for personalized pens. Check out ArtPromos' promotional pens (and pencils) for a wide variety of personalized ink pens, including Sharpie pens and Bic pens. At Promotional Logo Pens, there is a variety of styles and prices: find promotional pens for under $1.00 each; business logo pens for $1-2 each; promotional item pens for $2-4 each; and advertising pens at $4+. If you want a higher quality, really unique look, check out their designer series custom pens and promotional pen gift sets.

Company logo pens

Company logo pens can often give you 'more bang for the buck' - considering how cheap they are (especially compared to other forms of advertising) - and they're likely to remain in the customers' mind much longer than those flashing banner ads your competition uses on various websites.

I recommend: Inkspress offers you more than half a million promotional products to choose from, including about 100 different styles of promotional pens, as well as highlighters and pencils. Click on any pen to receive a free online quote. Most personalized pens are available in a variety of colors, with a couple of ink color choices, as well. Want to try out a free sample of Inkspress’s pens? No problem – check out the paragraph at the bottom of this page to contact their customer service department via email after you register (for free) on their site. Certain restrictions do apply.

Choosing the corporate gift pen

For your loyal clients or employees, choose from among the higher-quality pens - such as engraved pens to demonstrate their value to you.

I recommend: Business.com lists pen vendors offering multiple style – like Montblanc and Sheaffer - and pages for those seeking something specific, like fountain pens. At Classical Expressions, find a large selection of glass pens that are almost too beautiful to use – almost. From “Venetian glass” to the “Poet’s pen” (a real Quill pen), to the Traveller’s Writing Chest and their Porcelain Write Inkwell – these are the pens executives dream about.

Buy lower-cost promotional pens in bulk

For company logo pens, purchase the less expensive ones - in bulk - for your check-out counters, membership desks, and other places from where the pens seem to 'walk away' frequently. Most Web sites offer volume discounts, too - so take advantage!

I recommend: Business.com provides you with lots of sources for specific types of advertising writing instruments, logo pens, including rollerball pens and ballpoint pens. Go to Branders, the world’s largest online seller of promotional items, to check out their many choices of advertising promotional pens. Go to Discount Mugs: Promotional Pens to find a large selection of many types of pens. On select style pens, purchase 500 pens and pay just 45, 49, or 69 cents each (price varies by styles). They also offer free set-up and free shipping within the Continental U.S.

Get custom promotional pens to make a big impression

A great way to catch potential customers' eyes is through custom pens that reflect your company logo. Pens like this include those shaped to look like syringes (for the medical office), bones, robots, and so much more!

I recommend: Find the bone- or syringe-shaped personalized pens at SaveonPromotionalProducts.com, under “Novelty Pens.” (Check their other pages for stick pens, retractable pens, twist pens, and others.) Every item at this site is priced at just 10 percent over cost, so check out their great deals. At Branders, you can find the Robot Series Acrobat Pen (yes, this promotional pen actually has robot action!), promotional massage pens (no, we’re not making this up!), and fun springy pens, just to name a few.

Tips & Tactics for Offering Memorable Personalized Pens

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A corporate gift pen is perfect for rewarding your loyal customer or employee.
• •  Logo promotional pens range from a few cents each to $10.00+, depending on your designs, the number you order, and the quality of the pens.
• •  Remember that - just as with purchasing other printed promo items - you'll usually pay less for the single-color promotional pens with a simple line of text or logo, than you will for the 4-color cutting-edge (or is that writing edge?) imprinted pens with all the gimmicky doodads.
• •  Mix up your promotional pen selection, but keep the logo consistent - and soon everyone will recognize it on sight.

Pricing and costs of personalized pens depends on the type of pen and how much personalization you want on it. Pens with just a company name cost less than those with name, address and slogan, since you generally pay per word. Some companies provide so many words in with the price of the pen, so use the words to your best advantage.

The quality of the pen bears a part in the cost as well. Provide an efficient pen at a reasonable cost that your customers will use. Look at the following when determining pricing and costs of personalized pens:

1. Buy bulk customized pens with minimum extras to keep costs reasonable.

2. Add extra features to your logo pens and customers will remember your business.

3. Give engraved pens as gifts to reward employees for a job well done.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase personalized promotional pens to give away to everyone

Everyone likes a free pen and your personalized pen reminds them of your business every time they use it. Buy these inexpensive pens for a small price and watch your profits soar.

I recommend: Quality Logo Products offers personalized pens starting at under 20 cents apiece and up to under 60 cents apiece. The least expensive pens include one color and one location imprint for the price. Take advantage of this inexpensive way of getting your customers to remember you. Pensrus offers many varieties of pens including some new models selling for under 20 cents apiece up to under 55 cents apiece. Choose from their wide selection for inexpensive but functional pens your customers will love.

Increase recognition with company logo pens containing your name and address

Pens bearing your company name, address and logo will cost a bit more even when purchased in bulk but they will go a long way in creating new business for you.

I recommend: Pen Impressions sells pens starting at under $45 for 100 pens or up to 2500 pens for less than around $650. They allow up to five lines of writing and will put your logo on the pen for about $20 extra per lot. Look at the other pens they offer; they have many styles and designs from which to choose. National Pen offers personalized pens starting at just over 40 cents apiece and ranging up to just under $1.80 apiece. They give free pens with every order according to how many you order so this brings the overall price down. They provide four lines of writing per pen and charge a set up fee per order.

Remember loyalty with a personalized pen set; the gift that gives back to your company

Employees like to be rewarded for a job well done and what better way than with an engraved pen and pencil set. Prices for these pens are not much compared to other methods of reward, so consider this gift and incorporate ways that every employee can earn one.

I recommend: Lazer Designs offers boxed pen and pencil sets that make nice gifts or rewards for a job well done or when an employee reaches a certain level at work, perhaps a one year tenure. They range in price from under $10 per set to about $45 per set and come in a variety of designs such as a baseball or racecar theme. Memorable Gifts provides personalized gift pens that allow personalization on both the pen and the box if you choose. There is an additional charge to do both. Pen sets range from under $20 to almost $70 a piece.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Shipping and handling of your personalized pens may be an additional charge so factor that into the total cost of the pen. Many companies do offer free shipping if your order is over a certain dollar or piece amount.

Using personalized or promotional pens is a great way to get your business or product name recognized by customers and clients. Business owners use personalized pens as giveaways at their places of business as well as trade shows and other marketing shows and events. Since there are many types of personalized pens available it is important to know the key terms for each of them and to understand what those key terms mean. For instance, a corporate business isn't going to use the same types of personalized pens as one that specializes in selling novelty items. Take the time to learn the key terms for personalized pens and reap the rewards that come from name recognition of your business or product line.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Metal

Metal pens offer a stylish and distinct look for executive or corporate businesses. Metal pens are usually made of brass with silver or gold finishes. Barrels come in a variety of colors to meet business requirements. Engrave these pens with everything from business logos to personal sayings and names.

I recommend: Browse the selection of personalized metal pens at Pens Xpress.

Twist

Twist pens are turned or twisted to begin writing. Twist pens are usually metal with brass barrels and a variety of colors to select that are certain to meet the needs of business professionals. These pens are easy to engrave with business logos and names.

I recommend: Read about the features of personalized twist pens at Quality Logo Products.

Retractable

Retractable pens are clicked open and shut to reveal or retract the nib. These types of pens can be metal or plastic so they offer many styles and choices as giveaways and promotional items.

I recommend: Find out about personalized retractable pens at Staples Promotional Products.

Stick

Stick pens are usually plastic and have caps that either match or compliment the barrel colors of the pen. Users can have their business names placed on these pens, but also select the barrel colors to give a uniform look to all of their business and promotional items.

I recommend: Gather information about personalized stick pens at Show Your Logo.

Plastic

Plastic pens offer users a variety of options. They come in retractable, click and stick designs and as well as many types of grips for comfort and ease of use. Plastic pens can have logos or names written on them and can have barrel colors matched to business and personal specifications.

I recommend: Learn about personalized plastic pens at Amsterdam Printing.

Novelty or specialty

Novelty or specialty pens come in many shapes and designs from pens that light up to those that are shaped like fruit or other items. Use these novelty and specialty pens as giveaway items at marketing and trade show events.

I recommend: Review the selection of personalized novelty pens at ePromos and Branders.com.

Saving money on personalized pens should be easy when you buy them regularly. Merchants give discounts for repeat business and quantity. Merchants also offer closeouts and specials on a regular basis, so take advantage of these.

Look for ways to save money on setup costs by buying a stock pen with just a little personalization. Choose to personalize your pen in less costly ways. Consider all of the following when saving money on personalized pens:

1. Buy customized pens in bulk.

2. Save on the additional fees for logo pens such as setup costs.

3. Use discount features such as buy ten custom pens, get one free.

4. Take advantage of closeouts, clearances, one-of-a-kind, and return orders to save money on engraved pens.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get maximum exposure with minimum offers and save on promotional pens

Ask about sales the vendor may be offering. Make sure to order the minimum number of pens to reduce the cost to the next level. For example, some companies will offer a discount starting at 100 pens, so do not buy 75 pens even if you think that's all you will need. There is always a use for company logo pens.

I recommend: National Pen sells personalized pens in bulk, so check their selection. Pens start at under 40 cents and the sales change weekly. Branders boasts the largest selection of personalized promotional pens and offers discounts for bulk purchases.

Request a complete price list for the advertising pens upfront

Make sure you know all of the costs for the pens. There may be additional charges for using multicolor inks or other special setup features. Avoid shipping charges by buying more pens. Look over the price lists carefully before placing your order.

I recommend: Promotional Insights offers information on how to save on promotion pens by choosing stock pens with the given amount of verbiage. Customized Pen Store offers advice on where to place the writing on the pens for effective advertising. While this does not save money per se on the pen, the pen's information lasts longer and your advertising gets to more people, thus possibly bringing in more revenue.

Purchase budget promo pens for more exposure with less expense

Find out if there are any special deals on the pens, such as 'buy so many, get so many free.' If the pen you chose does not have any special offers with it, consider choosing one that does for additional savings.

I recommend: Best Buy Imprints sells budget pens every day. Browse their selection to find pens that work for your business. Pens Express offers a wide assortment of budget pens, so check their inventory for a pen that fits your business.

Utilize special offers such as closeouts and clearances to save on promotional ink pens

Ask for the special 'bargain' room that most merchants have. Find the rejected orders here. With slight adjustments, the merchant changes the ink to reflect your business information, and your reward will be a steep discount for accepting this order.

I recommend: Quality Logo Products offers sale and closeout items every day. Find quality pens that will not break your budget. Pen Mart offers pens on sale for under 25 cents per pen. Check their deals before you buy your business logo pens.