Everyone loves a reliable pen, and if you’re a business owner handing out custom pens, you want your name on a pen that’s destined to become their favorite. That’s where Paper Mate® pens come into play! Learn the history of Paper Mate, the company’s that’s been delivering a quick-drying, reliable, comfortable writing experience for decades. We’ll also highlight the two most popular Paper Mate pen styles and the latest versions of each.
This truly steadfast company was started in 1940 by one Patrick J. Frawley. A few fun facts about Frawley: Born in 1923 in Nicaragua, to an Irish-born father and a French-Spanish mother. He grew up in San Francisco, served in WWII, struggled with alcohol, and was a devout Catholic. This Nicaraguan-American entrepreneur and business magnate built a portfolio that included stationery and pen products, along with publishing and film production. Fidel Castro took over one of his factories in Cuba in 1958. At the time of his passing in 1998, he had 20 grandkids. And in the midst of all that, the now ubiquitous Paper Mate® Pen was born!
The company’s many successes include the creation of Eraser Mate® erasable ink pens in 1979, and the introduction of biodegradable pens, pencils, and erasers in 2010. But the all-stars were and remain the classic Paper Mate® ballpoint pen and the innovative Paper Mate InkJoy® gel pen.
In 1949, the then-named Frawley Pen Company developed an ink that dried instantly. The pen that delivered this instant-drying, non-leaking ink was introduced in 1950 and called “The Paper Mate.” The company claims this was the first pen with a retractable ballpoint tip. At the time, the company was named the Frawley Pen Company, but the name was changed to Paper Mate® Pen Company, due to the wild success of the quick-drying, non-leaking Paper Mate ballpoint pen.
First introduced in 2016, Inkjoy® gel pens are one of the most popular gel pens on the market today. Paper Mate InkJoy gel pens were designed to be a more user-friendly version of traditional gel pens, boasting:
Paper Mate InkJoy gel pens were an immediate success. In 2017, they were named one of Time magazine’s “Best Inventions of the Year.”
When you advertise your company, cause, or campaign on a Paper Mate pen, your name is associated with proven quality and reliability. As a result, you can count on your giveaway being kept close at hand and your name staying top of mind. Distribute customized Paper Mate pens for all kinds of occasions:
Consider these customer favorites when you’re looking for a pen to advertise your business and elevate your brand:
Leverage the staying power reflected in the Paper Mate pen history and brand to promote your own. Shop our full collection of Paper Mate promotional pens to find the ink, design, and price point that suit your brand and budget.
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