Promotional Pens, USB Sticks and Notebooks: Printed Merchandise That Gets Used

Why some promotional items get kept and others get binned

The promotional items that survive past the day they're handed out tend to be the ones with an obvious, repeated use: something someone reaches for on a desk, in a bag or at a meeting. A pen that writes well, a notebook that's actually the right size to carry, or a USB stick with enough storage to be worth keeping all have a reason to stay in use long after the branding is noticed the first time.

Pens: cheap, common, and easy to overdo

Branded pens are inexpensive and popular for a reason, but a pen that skips, dries out quickly or feels flimsy reflects on the brand printed on it. A modest order of a reliable pen usually does more good than a large order of the cheapest option available, especially for pens that will sit on a reception desk or be handed to clients directly.

USB sticks for a specific purpose

Printed USB sticks work best when there's a genuine reason to hand one over, a portfolio, a set of documents, event photos or a product catalogue, rather than as a generic giveaway. Capacity and build quality matter more here than with most promotional items, since a USB stick that fails to open or has effectively no usable storage undermines the reason it was given out in the first place.

Notebooks for everyday visibility

A notebook gets opened repeatedly over weeks or months, which gives branding printed on the cover far more repeated exposure than a one-off item. Size matters for actual use: a notebook that fits a bag or a jacket pocket is more likely to travel with someone than a larger one left on a shelf.

Ordering ahead of an event or conference

If items are needed for a specific event or conference, ordering with enough lead time matters more than for everyday office stock, since a rushed order limits your choice of pen, notebook or USB capacity to whatever can be produced fastest. Confirming numbers a few weeks ahead, rather than the week before, generally gives more flexibility on both product and price.

Getting your promotional items printed

Star Printers can print pens, USB sticks and notebooks with your logo or design for events, client gifts or everyday office use. See our pens, USB stick and notebook pages, browse all printing services, or contact us to discuss quantities.