Chances are that when you think of executive business gifts, printed pens are not the first thing that springs to mind. Most often when someone mentions printed pens, the pen that springs to mind is made of plastic and will probably leak the first time you put it in your pocket. The truth is though, that the difference between printed pens and executive gifts is really not all that huge.



Both printed promotional pens and executive gifts serve essentially the same purpose ? to foster good will with your customers, and promote your business. The biggest difference lies in your company's relationship with the gift's recipient. Executive gifts are meant to woo your very best customers ? or those that you hope will become your very best customers. They are the gifts that are reserved for the top 20% of your mailing list, or as special thank you gifts for those promote your business. Would you trust printed pens to deliver a marketing message that could be worth millions to your company?

Why not when the pen in question is sleek, stylish and comes complete with a lifetime guarantee and a name like Quill, Balmain or Parker? Beautiful pen sets have always been a treasured gift for executives and businessmen. High quality metal printed pens and pen sets are traditional gifts for many occasions, and carry a high perceived value when given as incentives or thank you gifts to your best customers.

The question that many marketing directors struggle with when choosing printed promotional pens as executive gifts is the placement of the company branding. After all, if a pen is meant to promote your business, it should carry your name or logo. At the same time, executive gifts should seem more like gifts than like advertising. There are several solutions to the conundrum.

1.Choose a style of printed pens that allows for subtle placement of your brand name or logo. One very popular line of printed pens from Quill features a slanted oval top that's the perfect spot for your corporate logo ? subtle, discreet and different. Other options may include tone on tone printing or laser engraving.

2.Instead of printing your name or logo on the pen itself, have it printed on the presentation box, case or a gift tag. If you've chosen a distinctive pen, it will speak for itself. Your clients will remember where they came from.

3.Choose metal printed pens with coloured barrels and have them printed in a darker or lighter shade of the same colour as the metal. The effect will be subtle and professional rather than tacky.

4.Don't print slogans or contact info on printed pens meant as executive gifts. The only printing on them should be your company name and perhaps the name of the city. Anything more than that tips the balance from gift to advertisement, and that's a balance you don't want to tip with an executive gift.

Printed pens are more than just promotional items and giveaways. When you choose high quality pens and subtle messages and branding, they can become the ideal executive gift.

For further information check out the leading online promotional gift suppliers today!