Everyone knows the brand names Parker, Bic and Cross. If you have purchased promotional pens for your business you may also have heard the names Prodir, Senator and Lecce. These are the name brands that we all trust to write smoothly and consistently. We know that when printed with our logo and contact details they will not let us down. But what about all those lesser known brands out there? Are they worth looking at?
The answer is yes. There are some very good quality pens on the market with names that few have heard. Often these pens are quite a lot less expensive than the major brands. Sometimes the reason for this is that they are simply cheap inferior pens but not always. Follow these five tips that will help you find a great generic pen and save your business a lot of money.
1. Ask for Samples
Pens can look a lot different in reality than they do in glossy catalogues. You can also not tell how well they write. Ask for samples of pens that interest you. Plastic pens are usually free of charge where metal gift pens may be chargeable.
2. Test Your Samples
The most important part of a pen is not the outside but the inside. Write with your samples and have your work colleagues do the same. If time allows, write with them for a few days so that you can place and order with confidence. Giving your customers pens that write poorly or not at all can do your business more harm than good.
3. Check the Print Area
Some of the most popular generic pens in catalogues look fantastic but have small print areas. They feature stylish curves and thin or curly clips but offer no real space to promote your brand. Don’t be let down at the last minute! Think about what you want to print and ensure there is enough space to print it.
4. Think About the Colour of the Refill
Brand name pens often offer a choice of refill colours. These pens are often made to order. Don’t assume that you can have the refill colour of your choice with imported generic pens. Most of these Far East imports are manufactured in bulk and supplied with either blue or black ink refills. Rarely is there a colour choice.
5. Shop Around
Large promotional gift suppliers and those that are a bit top heavy for modern times are more expensive. They need to be as they have higher overheads. You will usually find the same pens online from smaller promotional pens specialists for a lot less. Look for promotional pens websites not just one stop shops for promotional gifts. Promotional pen companies sell more pens and get lower prices from their suppliers. If they are smart, they pass the savings on to you.
By Dan Toombs
