Click Pens v. Capped Pens: Which Promotional Pen to Pick?

Custom click top pen on desk and custom capped pen on desk,

Click it or cap it? When it comes to promotional pens, the options are endless and there’s no reason not to find the very best match for your brand. Though retractable pens often take the front row in the symphony of everyday pen design, the capped pen offers a particular allure and distinct advantages that should not be overlooked. Below we compare click pens and capped pens, so your small business can win in the customized pen game.

When Was the Click Pen Invented?

The click pen, also known as a plunger pen or retractable pen, was invented in the 1950s by John F. Sullivan on behalf of the Frawley Pen company. The first click pen patent for a retractable ballpoint pen was filed in 1944 by Marcel Bich, who later founded the king of click, AKA the BIC pen company!

What Are the Advantages of a Retractable Pen?

Click pens are convenient. They can be opened with one hand. They are fun—we all know how compelling that click is when a meeting runs long or too much coffee has resulted in the jitters. At time of tension or boredom, a plunger pen doubles as a fidget spinner. With a click-action pen it’s quick and easy to retract the ink tip, keeping errant ink marks off of paper and clothing.

What Are Best-Selling Custom Click Pens?

The appeal of promotional retractable pens is proven through decades of distribution at events, customer service counters, and direct mail. Some plunger pens remain classics, while others stand out for their trendy looks, ergonomic design details, and extra features such as a stylus tip. Below are a few winning picks in promotional click pens:

Looking for the latest and greatest in trendy plunge pens? This Engraved Aria Gel Pen with Rose Gold Trim has it all, including rose gold trim, an elegant elongate nose cone, your imprint engraved for years of visibility, and gel ink for a smooth writing experience and a vivid line.

If click-action classic is your jam, this Clic Pen is your go-to giveaway. It boasts the traditional plunger pen design and comes in multiple barrel colors so you can match your branding style, event, or campaign.

When Was the Capped Pen Invented?

Invented in 1827 by John Scheffer, the capped pen is a marvel that upon its introduction, allowed writers an alternative to the messy and not-easily portable quill pen (made from bird feathers). Clean and convenient, the capped pen was a veritable moveable feast for the writing set. Sheffer’s design featured a metal nib that held a reservoir of ink, and it quickly became the standard writing instrument.

What Are the Advantages of Capped Pens?

Not only are capped pens elegant, they are exceptionally functional. If you want to be sure to avoid ink leaks, put a cap on that pen and you’re almost always safe. You need to remember the cap, of course. Also, though a cap pen can be opened with one hand, a two-handed open is usually preferable.

What Are Popular Custom Capped Pen Styles?

Whether you want the latest styles or a more traditional option, we’ve got promotional capped pens to customize just the way you’d like.

For an in-style, sophisticated option, go for the Engraved Mineral Avery Stylus Pen. This one boasts professional mineral colors and chrome trim, a comfortable textured grip, and the modern convenience of a stylus for use on touchscreens.

For a strong presentation that says your brand is “built to last”, check out the M-694 Pen. With a brass barrel and chrome trim, this gunmetal gray rollerball pen packs a punch—and a cap!

And for a capped pen you can distribute generously at events and customer service counters, this Value Stick Pen delivers nearly endless design options and an irresistible price.

To Click or to Cap: It’s a Matter of Style

For quick access to ink, the click-top can’t be beat. If your goal is complete silence in the conference room, best to ban the click pen in favor of the cap pen. Likewise, if you’re honoring your employee’s 20th anniversary with your firm, a capped pen says special. But in general, you can find elegance, reliability—and long-lasting branding—in both styles. Pick the style that suits your occasion, and spread the word about your brand with every pen stroke of the capped or click-top pen!

P.S. For more on promotional pens of all kinds, check out these helpful blog posts:

5 months ago

Karleen Wise Andersen

From marketing tips to product recommendations, I’m here to help small businesses be their best.