Take a Bow, Pens.com!

For the first time ever, PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) researched and compiled a detailed list of the best 100 promotional product companies. It’s called the PPAI 100, and Pens.com has made the list! Find out what the PPAI 100 is all about and why we’re so proud to have made the cut.  

What Is PPAI?

Founded in 1906, PPAI is a non-profit trade association for the promotional products industry. It has about 15,000 members, and produces the largest promotional products trade show in the industry, called the PPAI Expo. PPAI serves up knowledge, resources, trends, and community to its members and is pretty much a very big deal among promotional products makers and distributors. So, in 2023 when they decided to do their first-ever top PPAI 100 report, we sat up, grabbed one of our best-selling promotional pens (of course), and took note!  

What Is PPAI 100 Distributors: 2023?

The PPAI 100 is a detailed ranking of the top 100 distributors of promotional products. Rankings are based on multiple factors that are important to company success, to the industry as a whole, and to the larger world. Factors such as employee happiness, innovation, and social responsibility are factored in, along with more traditional markers of success such as growth and revenue.   

Where Does Pens.com Rank in the Report?

Pens.com came in at number 16 out of 100.  

What Does the Pens.com Ranking Mean?

As a promotional products leader that has, since its inception over 50 years ago, been focused on helping small businesses grow through custom merchandise, we see our success as intricately linked to the success of our small business clients. We strive to offer products that serve all different price points, and serve all types of occasions, from direct mail campaigns to fundraisers to employee anniversaries and class reunions. And for the past few years, our focus has been expanding our product offerings to include responsibly sourced, sustainable, and recycled materials wherever possible. We have also expanded into important product categories including bags and drinkware, where imprint visibility is very high and the opportunity for sustainable elements is significant. 

What Are Some Examples of Pens.com New Products?

In the area of sustainability, here are a few promotional products that combine trendy style, high functionality, and materials small businesses can feel proud to give, and recipients can feel great showing off (along with your logo, of course): 

22 oz. Sona RPET Bottle with Bamboo Lid 

8.3″ x 5.8″ Stacy Recycled Cotton Notebook 

Rue Recycled Utility Tote 

In drinkware and bags, we offer styles that are designed to thrill recipients and turn heads (toward your branding, that is). Here are a few stellar examples: 

CORKCICLE® Engraved 20 oz. Soft Touch Sport Canteen 

Basecamp® Navigator Laptop Backpack 

We also continue to prioritize affordable promotional products that are just as appealing as their higher priced counterparts. A few of our latest additions that serve the “less budget, more branding” motto to which we are committed: 

Nexus Stylus Pen with Rose Gold Trim 

Reflective Marathon Drawstring Sports Pack 

17 oz. Illusion Stadium Cup 

Where Does Pens.com See Itself Ranking Next Year?

We hope to continue ranking on the PPAI 100 Distributors: 2023 list with our goal of growing responsibly, and always with an eye toward serving small businesses. This means we value an easy and robust online shopping experience, but also invest in a dedicated and long-tenured team of customer service and sales people (some have worked with us for over 30 years!) who can help guide our clients toward the best products based upon their budget, marketing goals, and event. Our reps can even send out a free product sample before a client places a full order to help small businesses make smart decisions. We believe that as smaller businesses continue to be preferred by customers, our ability to help them grow will mean we grow, too! Until next year’s PPAI 100 comes out, we will be here for you online, on chat, on the phone, and in your mailbox!