Thursday, 1 March 2012

Pens, Personalized Pens- What Makes the Perfect Personalized Pen?

When it comes to choosing pens, people are all over the board.  Some never give it a second thought as long as the pens write, while others spend hours looking for the right head and color.  Personalized pens can be a huge waste of money if the person who owns it does not like the type of pen it is.  For example, if John Doe prefers to write with black ink, chances are personalized pens with blue ink are going to be wasted.  These pens will end up at the back of his drawer and almost never be used.  No one else will want to use these personalized pens because his name is on them.  This is wasted money and space and it is totally unnecessary.


Whether buying pens for yourself or as a gift for someone else, personalized pens can be a great option.  However, as they will almost certainly be used only by you or the person you are giving them too, some extra thought is required.  Some things to consider are what kind of pens do you or the person you are buying for use typically.  Personalized pens are available in almost every type, so you really are not limited in the pens you buy just because they are personalized.  Consider the preferences of whomever you buying for when purchasing personalized pens.


Is a certain ink color preferred?  What about felt tip or ball point?  Pens come in many varieties.  Personalized pens can be any of these.  Materials and style are a factor as well.  Pens that are metal tend to last longer, and metal pens make great personalized pens as they can be engraved for an elegant look.  Plastic pens tend to be associated with being cheaper, but personalized pens made of plastic can be ordered in bulk in whatever color or point that is preferred.



A personalized pen that is exactly what is desired can be used for a long, long time.  Pens that take refills can be used even longer if properly cared for.   Nice, heavy pens have been known to be passed down as heirlooms, especially personalized pens with a last name only on them.  It is just not feasible to buy one that will not be used.  The last thing to consider is what the pens will be used for.  Those that have no preference can be difficult, so consider what they do.  Personalized pens that are going to be used for homework will have different standards than pens that will be used for signing contracts.

Friday, 5 August 2011

Promotional Pens, Engraved Pens- A Time and Place for Each

Most do not give much consideration to pens at all, especially when using them.  If tasked with the responsibility of ordering them, however, the story is somewhat different.  Choices abound from promotional pens to engraved pens, and each one serves a different purpose.  While promotional pens serve to advertise a business or event, engraved pens are used more as a gift or reward.   Promotional pens are usually cheaper as they are ordered in bulk for mass distribution while engraved pens are usually higher quality pens purchased one at a time.  More often than not the latter are made of metal which is better suited for engraving.  

Engraved pens may have names, important dates, or both on them.  There is usually not room for much else as the smaller the engraving is the harder it is to read.  This along with cost is what makes them poorly suited as promotional pens.  They are better suited to personalized pens.  For example, engraved pens make an excellent gift for a birthday, graduation, or other special event.  The cheaper plastic pens often used for promotional pens do not make very good gifts.  The type of pens used for promotional pens can be personalized in other ways, but engraved pens make a much more elegant, sophisticated gift. 

The type of pens used for promotional pens are better suited for instances when mass distribution will be necessary.  They work great as party favors and souvenirs as well as promotional pens.  Engraved pens, though nicer, are not well suited to these types of events because they are more expensive.  A dozen promotional pens can be purchased for less than the cost of one or two engraved pens.  It would be almost impossible to purchase enough engraved pens for all of the guests at a party, but the plastic promotional style pens work well.

There is a time and place for each type of pen.  Heavy, nice engraved pens make great gifts.  They work well as prizes, rewards, and all kinds of gifts.  For circumstances where a lot of pens will be needed, the cheaper plastic pens often used to produce promotional pens are much better suited.  These can have logos, contact information, names and dates included on them for much less than engraved pens.  While engraved pens are very elegant, many find them boring.  Promotional pens can be much more fun and exciting as they can incorporate more color and design.  Promotional pens are what would be used in everyday life, while those that are engraved would be used for special occasions.

Friday, 29 July 2011

Promotional Pens, Engraved Pens- Using Engraved Pens as Promotional Pens

There are some instances when engraved pens make sense to use as promotional pens.  These are generally situations where there will only be a few promotional pens purchased, as engraved pens are more expensive than traditional promotional pens.  Engraved pens make a much better impression than the standard plastic pens, so they can be give a better impression and be a powerful advertising tool when used properly.  If care is not used, however, a budget can be quickly exceeded, which would negate most of the benefits received.   The best bet is to evaluate the situation carefully before deciding which type of pen to sue.

One way engraved pens can be used as promotional pens is to distribute them to businesses.  By distributing engraved pens to businesses rather than individuals, you gain the advertising benefit with fewer promotional pens.  Send engraved pens to banks and doctors' offices to be used at the front desk or teller windows.  This way everyone who uses these elegant promotional pens will see the information on them and an impression will be made. The key is to get the businesses to use them.  The best way to do this is to choose supporting or complimentary businesses rather than competitors in which to place the pens.

An example of this might be a car dealership that does not have a maintenance department using engraved pens as promotional pens for a repair shop.  Another example might be a school using engraved pens as promotional pens for a school supply store.  With some thought and creativity, engraved pens can be used as promotional pens without breaking the budget.  The key is to select a few disbursement venues that give maximum exposure.  Consider also if those who frequent those venues are even potential customers.  The bank and doctor's office examples are good because almost everyone uses one of these.

When using engraved pens as promotional pens, it is important to consider that if the promotional information is too small, potential clients will not be able to read it.  There is a point where engraved pens become unreadable when the engraving becomes too small.  This defeats the purpose of using them for promotional pens.  Try to stick to the name of the business and a phone number or website.  This method can turn engraved pens into successful promotional pens without making the information unreadable.  It is most useful if the name of the business lends a clue as to what type of business it is.

Friday, 8 July 2011

Promotional Pens, Engraved Pens- Choosing Between Quality and Cost

Whether choosing Promotional Pens or engraved pens, there is a balancing act that must be made between quality and cost.  Cost vs. benefit is a common issue is all areas of life, and choosing a pen is no different.  Prices and quality for all kinds of pens vary from promotional pens to engraved pens.  They key is finding that perfect balance for the specific pens you are ordering.  Promotional pens are best chosen based on budget and what they are promoting while engraved pens should be chosen based upon the preferences of the intended recipient.  Whether choosing engraved pens or promotional pens, there is sometimes a choice between quality and cost.


Engraved Pens often cost more, and the more you pay the higher quality pen you get.  Since more often than not engraved pens are purchased for a specific person, it is extremely important that they are nice.  Most can afford to spend a little more on higher quality engraved pens as they are typically bought one at a time.  This differs from promotional pens, as promotional pens are more often bought in bulk for multiple end users.   This means that when choosing promotional pens, the choice between quality and cost may be different.



Promotional Pens are generally lower quality to make them more cost effective to purchase in bulk.  However, there different levels of quality within the choices of promotional pens.  Unlike engraved pens, these are not typically given as gifts, meaning that a lower quality pen will not be seen as thoughtless to a certain extent.  However, a promotional pen that does not hold up will not give a very good impression of what it is advertising.  The key is to get the best quality promotional pens the budget with allow.  One that lasts will be used longer, allowing it to promote the business longer.  While engraved pens often reflect the personality of the user, promotional pens reflect the personality of the business.



Though Engraved Pens typically require a higher quality, they also cost more.  Promotional pens are not expected to have the same high quality as engraved pens, but they should not be trash either.  They should hold up long enough to serve their purpose of advertising the business.  That is really the main difference.  The quality of engraved pens reflect the thoughtfulness of the gift giver, while the quality of promotional pens are more a determination of how to make the promotional benefits last as long as possible.   Promotional pens are generally permitted to be of somewhat lesser quality.

Friday, 17 June 2011

Promotional Pens, Engraved Pens-Tips for Choosing Promotional and Engraved Pens

When it comes to choosing pens there are several things that need to be considered.  Some depend on what the pens will be used for, such as will they be Promotional Pens for advertising or engraved pens for gifts.  Other factors include who will be using them, as well as what they will be using them for.  Budget is also a factor.  The pens used for promotional pens are typically much cheaper than engraved pens, but engraved pens are usually purchased one at a time while promotional pens are purchased in bulk.  Whichever type of pens you are choosing, there are some factors to consider that will ensure the right choice is made.


The user is an important factor in choosing both promotional pens and engraved pens.  With engraved pens there is typically a specific person being purchased for.  This means you can determine what color ink they prefer, if they prefer ball point or felt tip, and whether they want a capped or click style pen.  Choosing engraved pens that fit the type of pen preferred by the end user is one way to show thoughtfulness.  This is not usually possible with promotional pens, as there are many end users will all kind of preferences. Promotional pens, therefore, require a different set of standards.

Promotional pens should be chosen based upon budget and what they are advertising.  The highest quality pen that can be afforded is a good choice, as a higher quality pen will make a bigger impact with the potential customer.  Personal preferences are not as essential as with engraved pens, as they will vary greatly from person to person.  Choose the highest quality promotional pens that he budget will allow, and then consider the business they are advertising.  A spa or salon should choose promotional pens that evoke a feeling of serenity, while a bank's pens should be professional looking to promote confidence in the institution.  These are not things that would be considered with engraved pens.  This is because engraved pens are general monochromatic in nature, and there are not a lot of color or design choices available.



Choosing promotional pens and engraved pens may seem a daunting task, but given the proper thought the right choice can be made with confidence.  Whether choosing promotional pens or engraved pens, consider the end use.  Engraved Pens that will be used mostly for signing documents should have a tip that produces a professional signature, while promotional pens she grab the attention of the core market.

Thursday, 9 June 2011

Personalized Pens- Personalized Pens Make Great Favors

Pens are not something that most people spend a lot of time thinking about until they need one and do not have one.  Personalized pens make nice gifts, but they are not considered very often other than in the case of a gift for someone.  Whether a cheap souvenir or an expensive gift, everyone loves to get something with their name on it.  Pens are easily lost or taken, so most people keep a supply on hand to make sure they have one when they need it.  This may consist of store bought pens, personalized pens received as gifts, or promotional pens collected over the years.   While sometimes costly, often personalized pens are worth it.

There are some uses for personalized pens, or pens in general, that are not often thought of.  For example, personalized pens given at a wedding ceremony as wedding favors can be a creative way for the bride and groom to say thank you to their guests.  These pens may not have the guests' names on them, but they can have the names of the bride and groom as well as the wedding date.  On the other hand, personalized pens make great bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts.  They can have full names, last names, both, or initials only.  Personalized pens that have a monogram with a name written through it can be especially elegant.  Pens are perfect for this kind of occasion as they show thought went into the gift, and they are very practical as everyone needs a pen at some point.



Another way to use pens is as a party favor.  This works especially well with birthday parties for kids.  Again, personalized pens may have the name of the birthday boy and the birthday or date of the party.  If RSVPs were received, personalized pens make the favor even more special.  Pens work better for older kids that can write, and personalized pens can be further customized to reflect the theme of the party.   While pens are a great favor, be sure to throw in something else as well, maybe a small notebook and some candy.



While most are familiar with pens being used for advertising, they do not usually think of personalized pens for anything other than a gift.  Few people ever buy themselves personalized pens, and many do not even buy regular pens for themselves with the numerous pens available in the office supply closet and the sheer number of promotional pens available today.  Many do not realize that personalized pens make great party favors.

Friday, 27 May 2011

Pens, Personalized Pens- How Personalized Pens Can Be Great Advertisement

When people think about pens as a form of advertisement, they do not normally think about personalized pens.  They do not realize that most pens that are used for advertisement are personalized pens.  Personalized does not necessarily mean a person's name.  It could mean a business name as well.  By this thought process, pens given out by hospitals, banks, and car dealerships are all personalized pens.  The idea is that these remind the person of the business each time they use it.  This is a great sentiment.  Think of how awesome it would be if they had the person's name as well as the business name on them.


Of course it is impractical to give every customer and every potential customer pens with their name of them.  However, though a little more costly, pens can be sent as gifts to loyal customers.  Personalized pens will be received by customers as a symbol that they are special.  Pens sent with an order form to order similar personalized pens for friends are family make great sense.  Pens can be very expensive looking these days without actually costing a lot of money.  Personalized pens appear even more special, and the possibilities for advertising here are endless.



Nice personalized pens sent to loyal customers make a great impression.  Adding an order form to the box plants the idea of ordering similar pens for others.  Those who order personalized pens from the company are giving said company free or low cost advertising.  They are able to purchase what looks like very, very nice pens for their friends, while their friends get personalized pens that advertise the business each time they use them.  All of this is at very little if any cost to the business.  The price the customer paid will supplement if not cover the cost of the pens, greatly reducing the amount used from the advertising budget.


The key to using pens, especially personalized pens, in advertising is to be selective who you start with.  Choose customers who really seem to be behind the business and who seem like they would enjoy spreading the word.  Offering them an easy way to give loved ones a nice gift while simultaneously spreading the word about the business should be something they would appreciate.  Chances are you already know the customers who could not care less about pens as well as those who would greatly appreciate personalized pens for themselves and loved ones.