Business Gift Pens - By: Mark Yokoyama

Since pens are a popular business gift, we created this article to help you select and imprint high-end gift pens for use as corporate business gifts. If you're more interested in cheap promotional pens for giveaways, check out our promotional advertising pens guide instead. But if you are looking for a pen to use as a holiday gift, new customer gift, door opener or employee gift, then this is the article for you. Read on to learn about the variety of corporate gift pens and the promotional possibilities they provide.

Fountain Pens, Ballpoints and Rollerballs
The three most common types of executive pen are fountain pens, ballpoint pens and rollerball pens. Fountain pens have a well of water-based ink and a nib, which is a metal point that guides the ink. Ballpoint pens use an oil-based ink and require more pressure when you write. Rollerball pens use water-based ink and a different ball mechanism. Both fountain pens and rollerball pens require less pressure when writing, but the ink will run if it gets wet. There are high-quality executive pens available in all three styles, and the choice should be made based on end-user preference.

Click, Twist and Stick
There are three common pen designs: stick pens, click pens, and twist pens. Stick pens are probably the most common; these are the ones that are simply a barrel and a cap. Click pens have a clicking mechanism that exposes or retracts the point, and twist pens use a twist mechanism to do the same. Most gift pens are either stick or twist pens, and all fountain pens are stick pens. There are many quality corporate gift pens available in both stick and twist, and again, final selection is merely a matter of personal preference.

Stylus, USB and Multifunction Pens
Stylus, USB and multifunction pens are a growing category as PDAs, portable flash memory and other electronic devices become increasingly pervasive. When choosing a multifunction or memory stick pen as a gift, look for something that has the additional functionality you want, but also has a professional look and feel. Remember, you're making an investment in this gift and it will only pay off if the recipient feels comfortable using the pen.

Artwork, Imprinting and Customization
Gift pens are typically laser engraved, or tastefully imprinted with a logo-- think of it as a gift with subtle branding rather than just an advertisement for your company or organization. One way of including your logo tastefully is to print it using tone-on-tone, for example, a black imprint on a black pen. The imprint will be visible, but much more subtle, so it won't detract from the value of the pen as a gift. Printing or engraving just the cap or clip of the pen are other discreet imprinting options to consider. As for artwork, gift pens are one example of when nothing more than a simple logo will suffice. Leave taglines and other messages for your promotional advertising products.

Different pens send different messages, so its important to choose the right combination of of features to meet your specific business goals. But whatever you choose, pens are constantly used in business situations, so you can be sure that your gift will be used and appreciated.

About the Author

Mark Yokoyama is Director of Marketing for ePromos Promotional Products, Inc., one of the largest promotional product and corporate gift distributors in the US. This article is copyright protected.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Mark-Yokoyama/54503

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