- Writing & Office
Custom Pens, From People Who Order Them by the Case
Reviewed by the The Promo Desk editorial team · how we research & select
The pen is the promo item everyone underrates and everyone keeps. It’s not exciting, but a pen that actually writes well gets pocketed, borrowed, and used daily — quietly logging impressions in offices, banks, and hotel rooms for months. The whole trick is not being cheap where it counts: a pen that skips or dries out gets thrown away, logo and all.
Plastic or metal
Plastic pens are the volume workhorse — pennies each, endless colors, fine for events and mass handouts. Metal pens (aluminum, brass) feel substantial and weighty, which instantly reads as a gift rather than a giveaway; they’re the pick for executives, banks, and client kits. Between them sits a huge range of barrel shapes, grips, and click vs cap mechanisms.
Ink and imprint
Ballpoint is the durable standard — oil-based ink that lasts and won’t dry out. Gel and rollerball write noticeably smoother and feel more premium, at a higher price. For decoration, plastic pens are pad-printed, which wraps a logo neatly around the curved barrel; metal pens are usually laser-engraved for a permanent, upscale mark.
Pens move by the case at conferences and banks. Related styles include gel pens; see the best pen options for models worth branding.
$0.60–$6.00 per piece · MOQ 100
Budget-tier guidance, not a quote. Final price depends on decoration, color count, quantity, and turnaround — request a quote for an exact figure. Reviewed Aug 2026.
Loading form…
Prefer to browse our catalog? Explore products →
Frequently asked
How much do custom pens cost?
Custom pens are among the cheapest promo items — plastic pens can be well under $1 each in bulk, while metal pens run $2–$10 depending on style and decoration. Prices drop quickly with volume. Plastic suits high-volume giveaways; metal suits premium gifts where a weightier pen reads as a real present.
What's the difference between ballpoint and gel pens?
Ballpoint pens use thick oil-based ink that's durable, long-lasting, and resistant to drying out — the reliable standard. Gel pens use water-based gel ink that writes smoother and darker but can run out faster. Ballpoint suits mass giveaways; gel feels more premium for gifts and nicer writing experiences.
How are logos put on pens?
Plastic pens are typically pad-printed, which wraps a crisp logo around the curved barrel using a silicone pad. Metal pens are usually laser-engraved for a permanent, upscale mark that won't wear off. Simple, bold logos reproduce best on the small, curved print area a pen offers.