How Are Promotional Pencils Made?

Published by Rob Roberts

Most pencils are typically made from wood. The process starts with a block of wood from which slats or tiles are cut. These are then stained or left plain dependent upon whether the final product is to be wooden in appearance, painted or lacquered.

Grooves are then cut into the tile into which prepared leads are placed. A second tile is placed over the first and bonded into position. This sandwich is then machine to release or cut each pencil from any waste material. The finished pencil is then painted or finished and a metal ferrule and rubber attached if required.

The process is off course mechanised and means that pencils can be mass produced with a low unit price. To turn the pencil into a promotional pencil, the final products must then have an imprint applied. This is typically done using screen printing, with the pencils placed one at a time (automatically) into a holding jig before the imprint is applied. Promotional pencils can also be engraved or embossed using an appropriate tool.

Off course there are many types of promotional pencil option and often more than people would at first think. The pencil barrel can be pained many different colours, the pencils themselves can be supplied sharpened or not, the ferrule that attaches the rubber can be metallic silver or gold, and the rubber can be white, pink or even black.

Pencils are typically of a normal size but mini pencils are also available. Instead of lead, coloured inserts can be applied during the manufacturing process. Most of the wood used for promotional pencils comes from sustainably managed woodlands and it is also possible to find promotional pencils made from recycled and reclaimed materials including plastics and papers.

Who uses promotional pencils? Promotional pencils appeal to a wide market area. They are a firm favourite within advertising and design agencies, as well as engineering and architects offices. In terms of stationery, pencils are very much often taken for granted and so promotional pencils can be a useful marketing vehicle – providing a useful function, whilst also promoting an organisation, its logo and contact details. Whilst the print area for a promotional pencil is small, when combined with the right colour combination, their impact can be considerable.

Posted in Promotional Pencils