Custom pens

By Ross Bielema

Everything you need to know about choosing, branding and ordering custom pens for your business, event or promotion—delivered with the speed, quality and service that customers expect from 4imprint.

That includes best-in-class options from everyday plastic click pens to sleek premium metal models, stylus hybrids, gel, rollerball and novelty styles—all backed by expert imprint support, free e-proofs, free product samples and a rock-solid satisfaction guarantee. 4imprint partners with trusted brands, such as Sharpie^®, Pentel^®, uni-ball^®, Parker^® and Waterman^® to ensure polish and performance in every pen, making their custom pens some of the best promotional items to give away.

What is the best company for pens?

When you're searching for the best custom pens, you want a partner you can trust. 4imprint stands out, thanks to:

• A reputation built on consistent quality and dependable service for 40 years. Clients come back year after year—and so do referrals.
• Simple online ordering plus expert help every step of the way—from selection to design to delivery—without charging extra.
• Fast turnaround options: Many pen styles ship in 5 business days, and select models like the Incline Soft Touch Stylus Metal Pen can be engraved and shipped within 24 hours with rush processing.
• Free product samples let you test ink flow, grip, weight and imprint clarity before placing bulk orders—no surprises.
• Transparent pricing and order protection: Quantity-based pricing is shown immediately, set-up fees are never repeated on reorders, and purchases are backed by 4imprint’s 360° Guarantee^®.

“Impressed by this product for the price point. Definitely not disappointed – sure to fly off of our tables.”
— Cubano Pen product review provided by customer

That kind of testimonial reflects why 4imprint is widely considered a top choice for branded pens. Customers appreciate both quality products and consistent service that aligns with their own brand’s standards—making 4imprint a trusted promotional partner.

What are the best pen-making companies?

The best suppliers share certain traits—high-quality materials, precise imprinting, reliable delivery and a wide selection. If you’re looking for custom pens with logo, here’s what sets 4imprint apart:

• Worldwide imprint flexibility: Choose from screen printing (single color), full-color digital, laser engraving, or light-up imprint options depending on pen type. Styles like the Tri-Stic Pen and the Widebody Pen offer larger imprint areas for bold branding.
• Leading pen brands: Customize pens from industry-recognized manufacturers, including Sharpie^®, Pentel^®, uni-ball^®, Waterman^®, Parker^® and more. Branded pens add instant credibility and perceived value.
• Free professional design help: Low-resolution logo or vector file? No problem. Their complimentary art assistance means the team cleans and formats designs for clarity in imprint—even on small pen barrels.
• No-hassle reorder policy: Set-up charges are only applied once—if you're reordering exact art—which simplifies budgets and future planning.
• Exceptional sample program: Free pen samples empower buyers to evaluate pen feel, ink quality and imprint appearance before ordering at scale.
• Proven satisfaction guarantee: Everything ships on time—or 4imprint will make it right. And if any issue arises, the 360° Guarantee ensures you'll be fully satisfied, whether that means your order is remade or refunded.

These capabilities build trust and reliability—and reflect why 4imprint consistently leads in customer satisfaction and repeat business across both small organizations and large enterprises.

With more than 1,000 pen models, multiple imprint methods, quality manufacturers, free art support, sample availability, fast shipping and guaranteed satisfaction, 4imprint checks all the boxes you’d expect from the best pen-making companies.

Are engraved pens a good gift?

If you're looking for fancy custom pens, engraving elevates a tool into a meaningful gift. Plus, promotional pens are already among the most popular promotional products, with a 62% recall rate among recipients opens in new window.

Here’s why engraved metal pens stand out:

• Elegant materials & finishes: Premium barrels in steel, chrome or bronze—with soft-touch accents or faux leather wraps—give engraved pens a professional, upscale appearance.
• Ready-to-gift presentation: Many metal pen models, like Parker^® IM or Bettoni, are presented in gift boxes or branded tubes—perfect for high-impact corporate or donor gifting scenarios.
• Durable imprint: Laser engraving withstands wear and maintains visibility over long-term use—ensuring your logo stays sharp.

“Great pen so far. I have been using it at work for about one month and it still writes very nicely. The color is beautiful and the laser engraving is nice and clear...”
— Vienna Metal Pen product review provided by customer

This quote highlights a real-use case where engraved pens serve both functional and visual roles. Engraved pens combine longevity and meaningful presentation—ideal for clients, staff recognition, event VIPs or visitor welcome kits.

Is a personalized pen a good gift?

Yes—whether for holidays, onboarding, appreciation or events. A custom pen with a personalized message—printed or engraved—adds personal significance and perceived value that generic swag can’t match.

• Printed personalization: Ideal for bulk giveaways. Adding contact info, roles or slogans alongside logos enhances perceived thoughtfulness without driving up costs.
• Engraved personalization: Best for individual recognition—like donor gifts, service awards or executive access. Laser engraving ensures the logo or message will shine for a long time.
• Low minimums, big impact: Even small organizations can order as few as 12–15 executive-style engraved pens—making them accessible for boutiques or special events.

Pen personalization elevates brand recall and emotional connection—whether in onboarding gift packs, holiday appreciation mailers or event swag bags. For people, a personalized pen feels more valuable—and it gets used more often. For marketers, promo pens work.

Can you get a pen engraved?

Absolutely. 4imprint offers laser engraving on many of its personalized pens in bulk:

• Pen types: Metal-barrel models—like the Harmony Soft Touch, Atlas Stylus, Parker^® IM and Constantine Twist—include barrel engraving as part of the base price, though most require a one-time set-up charge (around $20–$30).
• Durability: Engraved logos withstand wear and maintain visibility over long-term use. Some laser-engraved pens like the fun Pebbles Light-Up Pen have a light that shines through the logo.
• Repeat value: Set-up fees don’t apply to exact repeat orders—adding efficiency and savings over time and making pen reorders more budget-friendly for ongoing campaigns.

This ensures you get a gift-quality pen without expensive add-ons—combining premium materials and lasting design with predictable pricing.

How are logos printed on pens?

4imprint offers several imprint methods to accommodate both custom pens and your brand goals:

• Screen-printing: Used for single-color logos on plastic barrels. Many click or stick pens like the Value Click Pen or the Javelin Pen offer a barrel color that differs from the cap and clip area colors–which lets the pen stand out as colorful even with a one-color screen imprint!
• Full-color digital printing: Ideal for vivid, multi-color graphics—especially on novelty models, soft-touch pens or wraparound styles where your logo truly pops.
• Laser-engraving: Provides crisp, permanent branding on metal pens—complemented by elegant finishes, like satin chrome, matte or rubberized grips.

Logos typically appear on the barrel, clip or cap, depending on the pen style. You can upload your artwork files—preferably .AI, .EPS or high-resolution .PNG—during checkout or via email. 4imprint then generates a free e-proof so you can review sizing, layout and appearance before final approval.

“I don't order from a company just for the product alone, the service has to be as good as the product. That’s why I’ve chosen 4imprint... when I give someone a pen or any other item which bears our name it’s a reflection on our company... Thank you and keep doing what you’re doing with the people you have doing it.”
— Mardi Gras Pen product review provided by customer

That emphasis on service and imprint quality is why branded pens deliver real return: Every printed or engraved pen is treated as a direct reflection of your brand.

How much does it cost to engrave a pen?

While costs vary by model and quantity, here’s a general comparison:

• Engraving costs: Many metal pens include laser engraving in the retail price, with a set-up fee (typically $20–$30) for initial orders. This fee is waived upon exact reorder, benefiting repeat customers.
• Pricing by style: Basic printed plastic pens can cost less than $1 each at high quantities, while engraved metal pens typically run between $1–$3+ depending on style, imprint method and order size.
• Bulk savings: Even with engraving, pricing remains competitive when ordering high volumes—especially for nonprofit, school or promotional use cases. 4imprint has their 360° Guarantee_®, so you know you’ll be in good hands.

Looking for custom pens cheap? Search 4imprint’s site and you’ll find clear volume-based price tiers with many inexpensive models—while premium engraved options remain accessible and cost-efficient when ordered in bulk.

Are there minimum order quantities for custom pens?

Minimums vary by model, but many styles start as low as 100 pieces. For click pens, novelty models or some stylus options, minimums typically start at 150–250 units. That flexibility supports everything from small nonprofit giveaways to large corporate events.

As quantities increase, price breaks kick in—often quite significantly. And because set-up fees are applied only once, larger or repeat orders help amortize one-time design costs across more units. Adding personalization or engraving doesn’t disproportionately increase per-unit cost—especially on metal styles that include engraving in the base product price.

Need more cost-effective promo ideas? Visit our blog to explore bundled options, complementary products and swag potential.

Ready to upgrade your pen branding?

Whether you're ordering personalized pens in bulk for a campaign or selecting fancy custom pens for gift-worthy impact, 4imprint offers the selection, value and service you need. Browse our comprehensive custom pens collection to plan your full promotional suite. Let 4imprint help you deliver quality pens that build brand recognition—and repeat impressions—for customers, employees and prospects alike.

Ross Bielema

Ross Bielema is a seasoned SEO marketing specialist at 4imprint, based in Oshkosh, WI, a title he’s held for the past 16 years. He previously was a copywriter here, crafting everything from headlines and company letters to e-mails and faxes. Boosting web presence and organic ranking creatively for one of North America’s top promotional merchandise distributors comes easily because of his combined 38 years of journalism experience. This includes freelance writing for local media outlets such as the Shawano (WI) Leader newspaper, expanding his experience beyond digital marketing into broader content creation. Ross brings a unique blend of marketing acumen, content creation talent and community engagement to his work at 4imprint.