The History of Promotional Pens
Promotional pens are one of the most commonly used items in our everyday lives but so few of us stop to consider their origin, believing that we moved from feather quills to plastic ballpens in the blink of an eye.
The word ‘Pen’ actually derives from the Latin word ‘pinna’ meaning feather and essentially its function has not changed since inception – to apply a think layer of ink onto an absorbent surface for the purpose of communication (writing) or drawing. The earliest pens were used in India, made form bird feathers and bamboo sticks, around 500BC.
Today we have access to a wide range of pens in the form of ballpoint pens and rollerballs for example but the humble pen started out life made from reed stems and bird feathers or quills, normally dipped into an ink-well.
Pens are classified by ‘nib’ type: ballpens, rollerballs, gelpens, fountain pens and highlighter pens for example. This is the point of the pen that delivers the ink and is also known as the writing tip. However, each type of pen releases and delivers its ink in different ways.
The ballpoint pen uses an oil-based ink, dispensed by rolling a small hard sphere (think ball bearing) made of brass or steel over a surface. The ink dries almost immediately on contact. The ballpoint pen is a mass manufactured item and is therefore inexpensive as well as reliable. It is the traditional every day replacement of the fountain pen.
Rollerballs use a water-based liquid or gel ink through a small ball tip. The process is similar to that of a ballpen. The ink is more easily absorbed than an oil-based one and this gives the sensation of gliding across for example a paper surface.
Fountain pens are still popular and use a water-based liquid ink applied through a metal nib. The ink is held in a reservoir (cartridge or container) and is ‘sucked’ through the nib by a capillary type action and gravity.
Using pens for promotional purposes has grown over the last 30 years or so. Traditionally high value pens where given as corporate gifts to valued clients in the form of pen sets and fountain pens. Low cost, low volume manufacturing and personalisation techniques have allowed the adoption of promotional pens into the general marketing mix where they can help to effectively promote an organisation.
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