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24th February 2020
Plastic vs Metal Pens: Which is better for your brand?
Custom printed pens have remained a top-selling promotional product for years, which comes as no surprise given their low costs and high levels of customisation. In a competitive industry where it’s hard to stand out and attract customers, promotional pens are the perfect way to advertise a brand. Simply with your logo and contact details printed onto the pen, it will promote your brand for months or even years to come. When compared to business cards, which are often ignored or forgotten, pens serve a functional use that your customers will hold on to. At Printed4You, plastic and metal pens are always popular choices for a variety of businesses, charities and educational institutions. Choosing between these two pens can be difficult, as both will offer certain advantages and disadvantages for your brand.
In this blog, we’ll look into the benefits of both options and determine which option is best for your branding.
Plastic Pens
Wide appeal – One of the most compelling reasons to choose plastic pens is for their wide range of styles and colours. They’re easy to customise to suit different audiences and events.
Affordability – In general, plastic pens are cheaper than metal pens, making them a practical choice for a variety of industries. Their low unit costs allow you to order high quantities in bulk without sacrificing on quality.
Easy to distribute – As plastic pens are much lighter than metal pens, their shipping costs will be lower. They’ll be easy to transport to events or post individually to customers.
Eco-friendly options – With growing environmental concerns about single-use plastics, eco-friendly promotional products have become increasingly popular. Many plastic pens are now made from recycled and biodegradable materials. Ideal for improving your brand image while appealing to eco-conscious customers.
Disadvantages of plastic pens – One of the main drawbacks of plastic pens is their reliability. They’re much less durable than metal pens and more prone to breaking or cracking over time. Also, plastic pens lack the professional appearance of metal pens, making them less effective in corporate settings and for gifting.
Here are our recommended plastic pen options:
• BIC Media Click Bio Ballpen
• BIC Clic Stic Stylus BGUARD Ballpen
Metal Pens
Durability – When compared to metal pens, plastic pens just can’t compete. Their hardwearing barrels, often made from aluminium or stainless steel, are much more resistant to breaking or cracking.
Professional appearance – The sleeker and more executive look a metal pen has to offer gives it the edge. You can even customise them with an engraving of your client’s name or a message. This added personal touch is certain to leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your thoughtfulness.
Gift appeal – Many metal pens can be supplied in a gift box, making them ideal for handing out to clients. A well-presented personalised gift will add to its value and will be remembered for years to come.
Disadvantages of metal pens – They tend to be more costly than plastic pens, making them less appealing for smaller marketing budgets. You may find as well metal pens have fewer colours and style options due to metal being more rigid and heavier.
Here are our recommended metal pen options:
• Bowie Softy Pen
• Nova Softy Metallic LED Pen
Which Pen Is Best For Your Brand?
When choosing suitable promotional pens for your brand, there are several key factors to consider:
Budget
Before you even begin contacting a distributor about your pens, you should first decide on a budget. Knowing the exact amount will help your distributor find appropriate pen options and also factor in shipping costs. While it may be easy to go with the cheapest option, you don’t want to risk compromising on quality, as a well-made pen reflects positively on your brand image.
Target Audience Preferences
You should have an understanding of the needs and interests of your target audience. Whether they are professionals or students, tailoring your pens to suit their preferences will improve their overall appeal. Plastic pens appeal to a general audience, especially in casual environments, educational settings or large-scale promotions. In comparison, metal pens are more suited for professional settings such as corporate events and meetings. A luxury fountain pen or rollerball pen is certain to impress clients or partners. Plus, when printed with your logo and contact details, they’ll have an easy way to contact your business again.
Material Choice
When choosing your promotional products, you should always prioritise quality over quantity, as their goal is to promote your branding long-term. The material of your pens will play a major role in how customers view your pens. So don’t be tempted by going with the cheapest plastic pen you can find, as your customers will likely dispose of them not long after receiving them. Although plastic pens are seen to be lower in quality than metal pens, they offer excellent, eco-friendly options. By including environmentally friendly pens in your promotions, you’ll demonstrate your brand’s commitment to sustainability and attract more like-minded customers.
On the other hand, metal pens offer a more professional look with their polished and matte finish barrels. Laser engraving is one of the most used printing methods for metal pens. It works by etching your logo directly into the barrel of the pen, revealing the base metal below. This creates a permanent finish that won’t fade or rub off over time. A high-quality print may even be noticed by others, encouraging the recipient to speak positively of your brand.
Distribution Plan
Decide how and where you will distribute the pens. If ordering for an event, check with your distributor about what pens can be printed and sent out in time. By planning and ordering ahead with plenty of time to spare, you’ll save on stress and avoid any express service charges.
Additional Features
To ensure your pens stand out from competitors, consider unique features such as styluses, stress-relief spinners and other tools. Pens with additional uses will elevate their overall appeal. They’ll be kept for longer durations and used daily by recipients, ensuring the best return on your investment.
Why Choose Printed4You For Your Printed Pens
Artwork & Design Service – We’re pleased to offer you free visual mockups for all products on our website. Our design team will require your logo in a vector file format such as PSD, AI, EPS, or PDF. High-resolution JPEG and PNG files may also be accepted. Your free visual can be amended as many times as needed, and once approved, we’ll work to ensure it’s applied exactly as agreed.Â
Minimum Order Quantity & Turnaround Time – Let us know about any marketing budgets and deadlines so that we can provide suitable options for your brand. We always recommend ordering your pens far in advance, as lead times are typically 1-2 weeks.
Quality Assurance & Free Samples Before Full Run – We can send out a plain stock sample to help you decide and get a feel of the quality of the pen for yourself. Depending on the specific pen model, this may be provided at no additional charge.
Shipping, Delivery Options & UK Beat Assurance – We source our pens from various suppliers across Europe and the Far East. While we primarily distribute within the UK, if you are interested in international shipping, please let us know, and we will provide you with accurate information and shipping costs.
Order Your Promotional Pens Today
Whether you choose plastic or metal pens, both will boost your visibility and generate interest in your brand. Choose plastic pens if you’re looking to order large quantities for trade shows and mass giveaways, and metal pens for high-end giveaways for clients and partners. At Printed4You, we offer thousands of personalised pens featuring different styles and materials, all suitable for branding. We can even provide you with free samples and visual mockups. To find out more, contact us at 0116 3668002 or [email protected]. Browse our full promotional pen range here.
