Cheap or Chic? Choosing The Right Promotional Pens

Promoting your business means more than business cards and phone book advertisements. You need a promotional item that will remind consumers you have something they want. One of the most effective and least expensive products that meet this need are promotional pens. With hundreds to choose from however, you should take some time to choose the perfect promotional pens for your business.

How the ink reaches the paper is one of the first options you'll find when searching for promotional pens. There are three types of ink delivery pens, ballpoint, rollerballs and gel. Secondly, you'll have to decide whether your potential clients will prefer stick pens (the kind with lids), twist release or clicking. Would you prefer promotional pens with additional functions, like a clock, stylus or light? There are so many choices and considerations.

Ballpoint Promotional Pens
Ballpoints are the most common, least expensive and often most versatile promotional pens. These promotional pens are great for use on carbon copies, since pressure is required for them to write, thereby causing the user to press hard enough to make impressions through the carbon paper. The ink won't run when wet thanks to being oil-based. Many ballpoint pens allow for users to replace the ink stick inside the outer tube.

Rollerball Promotional Pens
Rollerball promotional printed pens provide a smoother stroke with less pressure and sophisticated look. The ink will run if wet and they are typically more expensive than ballpoint, but your potential customers may hold onto it longer.

Gel Promotional Pens
Gel pens are becoming very popular. While the ink is still water based, it doesn't run as much as the rollerball. Very little pressure is needed, as with a rollerball, but the mechanism used to delivery ink to the paper is a ballpoint.

Stick Promotional Pens
The most inexpensive and common promotional pens are the stick design. With the removable cap and replaceable ink stick, these ballpoint pens also offer the most printing versatility. Beware, though, that they are often the most discarded.

Click Promotional Pens
Every cubicle-land has a habitual pen clicker. Make his or her day by choosing a click pen to promote your business. These are great for protecting shirt pockets from ink splatters and travel well in handbags.

Twist Promotional Pens
Twist pens are the most luxurious and most expensive pen design. Available in either rollerball or ballpoint, these offer the user a smooth and silent writing method. These are most often metal or metallic on the outside and are frequently offered in pen and pencil sets.

Cheap, Chic or Average?
You want to promote an air of confidence in your product and company - that's what a promotional product is all about. You also have to be aware of your budget and shouldn't spend more than you can afford. Here's how to figure out what your needs are and what you should order.

Start with your budget. While style, design and usefulness is important, nothing should come before your bottom line. Make sure you know what you can afford before shopping.

Decide how many promotional pens you need. Are you including them in a 10,000 piece mailing? Giving them away at a convention with 20,000 expected attendees? Would you like to offer them to your 500 clients as they visit your establishment?

Find your favorite pen and figure out if it's a rollerball or ballpoint with a simple write-and-water test. Search a promotional pen website for that type of pen. Can you afford it?

Choose the most expensive pen and you'll go bankrupt before your promotional pens can attract enough customers. Go with the cheapest pen, though, and your potential customers may find themselves tossing them quicker than you can say "How can I help you?"

To find out more about ordering custom printed business gifts and conference gifts and other fantastic items check out the internets leading online suppliers today.