Take note

Likethe paperlessoffice, theend of the penmightseem likeaninevitability as we embrace ever moredigital ways of working.

The realityisofcourse another matter withthe humble writing instrument maintaining apresence on even the most uncluttered desk.

According to research company Skyquest, theglobalmarketfor writing instruments wasworth $21.7bn in 2021 and will see healthy annual growth of 5.5% until 2030 That’salot of pens.

In thepromotional sector,pens were thesecond most popular product categorynoted by Sourcing City’sannualsurveyofthe UK and Ireland merchandise sector,behind only bags, and accounting for 10.3% of marketshare in 2022 –an increase from 8.8% theprevious year

The continuing popularityof writing instruments –and their associated notebooks and stationery, whichwerethe ninthmost popular product in theSourcing Cityresearch –can be put down to anumber of factors. Firstly,utilitywith83% of people still using aballpoint daily according to research by thePromotional Products Association International (PPAI). Product suppliers have also responded to moregeneral changesin buyer behaviour,not least in areas such as sustainability.

Innovation has also seen product development to cater fornew and emerging markets.

Bpma Award Winners

This and morewas evident with theBPMAProduct Awards this year,withinnovative offerings competing to pickupwith covetedtrophies.

Picking up thePlatinum prize, theprestigious Writing Instrument of theYear wasnamed as PF Concept’sKarst 5-pack2BWoodless GraphitePencils.

The woodless body can be sharpened forcrisp line work or made blunt forexpressive strokes or subtle shading. This versatility also savesthe mess of traditional wood shavings.

Stationery

BPMA Product Awards were also made forthe outstanding StationeryProducts of theYear withPlatinum going to Juniper’s Wellness Journal Notebookwhichwas developed as atooltocatalogue wellness, encouraging emotional wellbeingand a balance between work and homelife.

As well as apersonal details page, it features awellness foreword written by cut down on usage.

Gold prizewas pickedupby Prodir’s DS5 Shell, apen that is made with30% recycled used seashells to cut down on plastic usage. The natural material shapes theuser’shaptic and visual experience of thewriting instrument, and is particularly resilient and very long-lasting. At thesame time,itisthe very embodiment of sustainabilityashalf of theplastic that is used in thepen has itself been recycled or regenerated from internal waste.

Silver waspickedupbyPencom’s Eternal Bamboo Pencil withEraser,an eco-friendly option witha99% graphite nib that canbeused time and time again without wearing down. Supplied withapre-printed eco message, ‘made from bamboo’.

Karin Blak, self-reflection pages, dayplanner pages, 16 sides of dot grid pages, and plain pages to record

The Gold winner wasXDConnects’ Impact Soft CoverStone Paper Notebook whichismadefromtree-free paper.Stone paper consists mainly of mineral powder (80%) bound with(20%) of non-toxic HDPE (a cleanplastic).

Premier Impressions’LeuchtturmChange Journal pickedupthe Silver award.

Thejournal comprises 24 simple yet effective ways to increase your productivity and improve theway youorganise yourself withbest practices gleaned from various sources and condensed to theessentials, in order to understand, tryout and document.

Taking only afew minutes eachday, themethods help youtounderstand yourself better and organise yourself in an uncomplicated way, including digital detox and habits suchassavingorsaying‘no’.

WHAT’SNEW IN WRITING?

According to Amber Houghton, head of Laltex’s Pencom division, colour is having an increasing effect on thepromotional industrywithanincreased demand for bespoke colour options.

Whereonce upon atime, promotional pens would be available in alimited range of standardcolours to suit generic brand colours, as companybranding has diversified, so toohavethe colours on offer in thepromotional industry.

looking forstatement, on-brand pens but don’t have thebudget or need forbulk orders," said Houghton.

Ecoinnovation

Witheco-friendly items being at thetop of most promo buyer’s wish lists, writing instrument suppliers have responded accordingly

The Super Clip Origin sustainable ballpoint pen from BIC Graphic Europe wasmade available in Mayinanew,light colour called ‘Sand’.The Super Clip Origin is already availablein the‘Natural’ colour BIC claims theunique thing about theSuper Clip Origin ballpoint pens is that they are made from 100% biologically sourced material made from natural polymers without any petroleum or fossil energy –with theexception of thecartridge.

The used ingredients are organic castor oil, sawdust from sustainably managed European forests andtalc mined in Europe. In addition, theSuper Clip Origin is manufactured and printed in Europe.

Another European supplier, Senator,has long been known forits sustainable product base, and its NaturePlus Bio Ball Pen wasHighly Commended in theBPMAProduct Awards sustainable product of theyear. Made of bioplastic, it is agenuinely biodegradable ballpen made from renewable resources, and is fitted withlarge capacity Magic Flowrefilltoensurethatthe pen has along lifeinuse.

Senator’s Bio range, ensures that the visible parts of its NaturePlus, SkeyeBio and thebarrelofits LibertyBio and Super Hit Bio pens aremadefromabioplasticwhichis based on PLA, derivedfromrenewable and non-finitesugar cane.

DON’TFORGET METAL

It’snot just plastic that is sustainable.

Pencom’s Coffee

Ball Penismade from recycled coffee grind waste and Virtuo Allum, made from recycled aluminium cans areother great examples of everyday wastebeing transformed intoa useful promotional product that canbe reused time and time again.

Pencom offers several pens that are available in upwardsof15colours suchas best-sellers Koda Colour and BeckBallPen, whichcomes in 20 colours.

The exclusive range by Klio-Eterna offers even morecolourvariation thanks to themix andmatch service offered across all models in theGerman made pen collection that allowsthe customer to configureuptofivecomponents in up to 14 different colours.

“We’ve seen an increased demand forontrend colours suchasmidnight blue and grey.We’ve also noticed more enquiries forbespoke,Pantone matched pens. To accommodatethis, Pencom has expanded thecolourrange of manyofour best-selling lines, introduced aPantone matching option formanyexisting pens (larger MOQs apply) and have sourced the brand new Custom Colour Ball Penthatcan be produced in anycolourfromjust 1,000 pieces. This is areal win forany company e you wonder why we call it “ . Or maybe you alr y it. But case, let us explain: first of all modern style; also because its big area on the clip; and it’s energy coming from sources manufactured and printed in BIC factories for a low

Maybeyou wonder whywecallit“Super”.Ormaybe you already know it.But just in case,let us explain:firstofall because of its modernstyle;alsobecause of itsbig printing area on theclip;and it’s made in Europe with 100% energy coming from renewable sources and all manufactured and printedinBIC factoriesfor alow impact carbonfootprint.Isn’t it Super?

Imagine.Ready?Great:imagine thefamousBIC®Super Clip made from naturalraw materials likesawdust,castoroil and talc powder*. Just imagine,aBIC®Super Clip thatcontributestoamoresustainable future. Now stop imagining it:you have it here.

. Ready? Great: imagine the famous BIC® Super made natural raw like sawdust, castor oil talc imagine, a BIC® Super that contributes to a more sustainable oil

While RPET, wheat, cardand bamboo aresome of themorepopular materials on offer,the eco credentials of metal pens are often overlooked, but this robust, reusable material can be used foryears without ever needing to be replaced. Stainless steel and aluminium arebothinfinitely recycled so when your pen does come to theend of its life, simply purchase ink refills or recycleto see it start its journey all over again.

Multifunction Pens

Youcan also get moreout of your promotional writing instrument witha multifunction pen, which have as many as six functions. Pencom’s System Tool and Systemo 6in1 pens include astylus, spirit level, and two types of screwdrivers. Thereare also awide range of 2in1 smart stylus pens on offer Withover92% of adults in theUKnow owning asmartphone, pens withasoft touchstylushavebecome astapleoffering of thepromotional pen range. They’re great forsmartphones and tablets, but they’realso apractical solution in preventing thespread of germs on public touchscreens and buttons found on ATM machines and elevators.