Here’s our guide to the 10 best custom pens in 2023. You’ll find cheap pens, click ballpoints, cool luxury pens that twist, and even pens shaped like paintbrushes!
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Archer 2 Pens
Price: $0.36 ea.
Minimum: 335 qty.
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Uni-Ball Grip Fine Roller Pens
Price: $2.32 ea.
Minimum: 250 qty.
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Satin Stylus Pens
Price: $0.74 ea.
Minimum: 250 qty.
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Jot it Down Pens
Price: $1.18 ea.
Minimum: 150 qty.
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Parker IM Ball Pens
Price: $31.29 ea.
Minimum: 12 qty.
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Custom Paintbrush Pens
Price: $1.52 ea.
Minimum: 150 qty.
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AAccura Point Pens
Price: $1.34 ea.
Minimum: 250 qty.
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Bic Clic Stic Pens
Price: $0.39 ea.
Minimum: 315 qty.
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Paper Mate Ink Joy Pens
Price: $0.67 ea.
Minimum: 300 qty.
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Stylus Highlighter Pen Combos
Price: $0.96 ea.
Minimum: 100 qty.
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*Disclaimer: Pricing and minimum quantity are subject to change.
You use pens to write grocery lists, keep up with work tasks, and maybe even to jot down a potential date’s phone number. It’s no wonder more than two billion pens are manufactured across the planet every year!
Even in this digital world, custom pens are still insanely useful. They’re great freebies at job fairs or trade shows, schools can keep them in stock at the bookstore, and restaurants can give logo pens as gifts to everyone on their waitstaff.
You can shop for over 2,500 personalized pens in bulk. 83% are ballpoint pens, 15% are stylus pens, 3% are rollerball pens, 4% are gel pens, and 2% are luxury pens from brands like Parker, Cross, Montblanc, and Waterman.
Get ready to narrow it down and find the best custom pens for your business or event!
Best Ballpoint Pens Archer 2 Pens
Shop Now$0.36 ea. 335 qty.
Ballpoint pens are useful for everyone, so fill your supply closet with the Archer 2 Pens! With their thin barrels and precise tips, these custom pens are ready for a long day of notetaking. Authors can use these plastic pens to brainstorm, students can use them while studying, and office workers can use them at their desks. It’s a great pen for everyone!
Pros
- Less than $1 each
- Designed for long-term use
- Satisfying “click” noise
- Blue or black ink
Cons
- Limited color options
- No rubber grip on barrel
- Made from frail plastic
- Not very stylish
Best Rollerball Pens Uni-Ball Grip Fine Roller Pens
Shop Now$2.32 ea. 250 qty.
Do you need a pen to write thank you cards? The Uni-Ball Grip Fine Roller Pens are an excellent choice! These rollerball pens glide as you write, creating words that flow beautifully across the page. Get yours with blue or black ink!
Pros
- Smooth writing
- Thick black or blue ink
- Cap included
- Rubber grip on barrel
Cons
- Higher cost per pen
- Ink may smear on paper
- Limited color options
- Dries out without cap
Best Stylus Pens Satin Stylus Pens
Shop Now$0.74 ea. 250 qty.
According to the Pew Research Center, 85% of people in the U.S. own a smartphone. The Satin Stylus Pens are compatible with iPhones and Androids, which makes them perfect for those who “write” texts, emails, and lists on their devices. As a bonus, these custom stylus pens also have a stylish look!
Pros
- 21 color choices
- Comfy rubber grip on barrel
- Less than $1 each
- Cool metallic accents
Cons
- Only writes in black ink
- Better for short notes vs. longform writing
- Stylus may wear down over time
- May be cumbersome to hold
Best Gel Pens Jot it Down Pens
Shop Now$1.18 ea. 150 qty.
Colorful gel pens are great for those who love a craft project. The Jot It Down Pens come with 24 different ink colors including bright blue, olive green, metallic silver, rose gold, and even a nice sangria! Order these custom pens for your elementary school, library, or community center.
Pros
- Smooth writing
- 24 ink color options
- Satisfying “click” noise
- Comfortable to hold
Cons
- Ink dries out over time
- No rubber grip on barrel
- Fragile pocket clip
- Made from frail plastic
Best Luxury Pens Parker IM Ball Pens
Shop Now$31.29 ea. 12 qty.
While they may be a bit of a splurge, luxury pens are amazing gifts for CEOs, authors, and journalists. You should go with the best pens, and nothing’s more fancy than the Parker IM Ball Pens! These engraved pens, which come in a small quantity, have a lustrous lacquer finish and silver or gold chrome accents.
Pros
- Professional look
- Made from metal
- Free custom engraving
- Precise tip for writing
Cons
- Higher cost per pen
- No rubber grip on barrel
- Limited color options
- Only writes in black ink
Best Novelty Pens Custom Paintbrush Pens
Shop Now$1.52 ea. 150 qty.
Be a true artist with these unique custom pens! Each paintbrush is “dipped” in 1 of 5 colors: blue, red, green, purple, or gold. Wine & Paint events can sell these novelty pens to their visitors, while art schools can keep them in-house for their students. These personalized pens are also excellent stocking stuffers for the holidays!
Pros
- Unique appearance
- Shiny chrome accents
- Pretty color options
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Ink may not last as long
- May be cumbersome to hold
- Better for short notes vs. longform writing
- No cap for the tip
Best Wood Pens AAccura Point Pens
Shop Now$1.34 ea. 250 qty.
Don’t be fooled – they may look like pencils, but these are actually wood pens! Available in 11 colors, the AAccura Point Pens are great for long-term use. They’ll be well-loved by students of all ages, but are also unique swag for trade shows and large conferences.
Pros
- Unique appearance
- 11 pretty color options
- Gold accents on top and bottom
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Only writes in black ink
- No rubber grip on barrel
- No cap for the tip
- No pocket clip
Best Bic Pens Bic Clic Stic Pens
Shop Now$0.39 ea. 315 qty.
A list of the best pens isn’t complete without Bic! The Bic Clic Stic Pens not only rhyme, but also have a ton of color options. Mix and match the tip, barrel, and clip colors for millions of possible combinations! Plus, the thin barrel makes these custom pens comfortable when you have a lot of writing to do.
Pros
- Less than $1 each
- 25 color options
- Satisfying “click” noise
- Black, blue, or red ink
Cons
- No rubber grip on barrel
- Made from frail plastic
- Not very stylish
- Fragile pocket clip
Best Red Ink Pens Paper Mate Ink Joy Pens
Shop Now$0.67 ea. 300 qty.
Editors and teachers need red ink pens to make corrections. If you find yourself in either group, then the Paper Mate Ink Joy Pens are perfect for you! Is red not really your style? You can also get these logo pens in 8 other ink colors!
Pros
- Less than $1 each
- 9 ink color options
- Satisfying “click” noise
- Rubber grip on the barrel
Cons
- Ink dries out over time
- Made from frail plastic
- Bottom unscrews easily
- May smear on paper
Best 3 in 1 Pens Stylus Highlighter Pen Combos
Shop Now$0.96 ea. 100 qty.
If you want custom pens that do it all, then the Stylus Highlighter Pen Combos should be your BFF! Each comes with not only a black ink pen, but also a stylus and your choice of 5 highlighter colors. These 3 in 1 pens are awesome gifts for students and office workers.
Pros
- Less than $1 each
- Highlighter, stylus, and pen
- 5 highlighter colors
- Sleek silver barrel
Cons
- No rubber grip on barrel
- Only writes in black ink
- No cap for the tip
- May be cumbersome to hold
More Custom Pens for You to Try
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Best Glitter Pens
Glitter Crush Pens$2.89 ea. 100 min.
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Best Disposable Pens
Blank Plastic Dart Pens$0.28 ea. 500 min.
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Best Zebra Brand Pens
Zebra Sarasa Retractable Pens$2.73 ea. 25 min.
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Best Dye Sublimated Pens
Colorama Grip Pens$0.82 ea. 250 min.
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Best Metal Pens
Incline Stylus Pens$1.44 ea. 100 min.
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Best Twist Pens
Slim Twist Pens$0.40 ea. 300 min.
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Best Cheap Pens
Peak Pens$0.18 ea. 500 min.
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Best Multi-Ink Pens
Bic 4 Color Pens$2.84 ea. 150 min.
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Best Screen Cleaner Pens
MopTopper Screen Cleaners With Stylus Pens$1.55 ea. 250 min.
*Disclaimer: Pricing and minimum quantity are subject to change.
Ordering Custom Pens: Vocab You Should Know
It’s not like you buy custom pens all the time! Here are the vocab words you need to know before your next order.
Ballpoint Pen
Fitted with a ball at the tip and oil-based ink, this is the most common type of pen
Barrel
The main part of a pen; this is the piece that will be customized when you order logo pens
Bic
Popular pen brand that’s best known for their Bic Cristal pens
Cross
Luxury pen brand that started in Rhode Island in 1846
Engraving
Laser etches a custom design onto the pens
Ink
Liquid substance used for writing; can be water or oil-based
Minimum
The lowest quantity of pens required for your order; this number varies from product to product
Montblanc
Luxury pen brand that started in Germany in 1906
Nib
The tip of the pen; the area where the ink flows from as you write
Novelty Pen
Pens with an unusual shape, feature, or clicker on the top
Paper Mate
Popular pen brand that’s best known for their selection of gel pens
Parker
Luxury pen brand that started in Wisconsin in 1888
Pocket Clip
The plastic or metal piece on a pen that hooks to a pocket or bag
Retractable Pen
Also known as a click pen, these pens click to write
Rollerball Pen
Similar to ballpoint pens only have a viscous water-based ink
Stylus Pen
Pen with a rubber tip on the bottom or top that works on touchscreen devices
Twist Pen
Pen that twists to write
Waterman
Luxury pen brand that started in New York in 1884
Zebra
Popular pen brand that’s best known for their retractable pens
Custom Pens: Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: How long do custom pens last?
A: It depends on the product, but for the most part, custom pens will last for 5 to 7 years. The more often you use the pens, the faster the ink will dry out. Be sure to store them properly to extend the shelf life.
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Q: How many custom pens have black ink?
A: 89% of the custom pens on the Quality Logo Products® website have black ink. If you want something with colorful ink, check out our selection of gel pens. There are also special categories for blue ink pens and red ink pens.
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Q: How long does shipping take on custom pens?
A: The delivery time will vary depending on the product and your location. Most orders ship in 1 week or less. You can also request rush shipping if you need your pens before a deadline.
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Q: How many imprint colors can I use to print on custom pens?
A: Custom pens are often decorated with screen printing, which includes 1 free imprint color. There are also full color options available if you want to print a colorful logo or design. Engraving is a good option for luxury pens.
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Q: Will I be able to see the pens before they’re shipped?
A: Yes! Your sales rep will send you a free digital proof of your design mocked up on your pen of choice. Feel free to request changes until you like what you see.
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Q: Can I order lower than the minimum on custom pens?
A: The minimum is preset by the factory, and unfortunately cannot be changed. However, you can find pens that have smaller quantities. Ask your sales rep if you want a small order of customized pens. They’ll recommend a product that works for you.
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Q: Do you offer samples on custom pens?
A: Quality Logo Products® provides each customer with one free sample up to $7.00 with free UPS ground shipping to qualified customers/addresses. Not all pens qualify, so ask your sales rep for more details.
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