If you’ve been looking for some great ideas for personalized pens, here’s a pretty detailed list we’ve prepared for you to check out:

#1: Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen—Blue Lacquer

Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen - Blue Lacquer

Starting us off is this custom engraved blue Cross Calais. 

It is one of Dayspring Pens' best-sellers, and here is why: It's a stand-out gift at an affordable cost. A stunning deep sea blue base and a lustrous chrome cap and trim accentuate this pen's sleek design.

A medium diameter barrel means your custom laser engraving or company logo is easily legible. The Calais is well balanced and fits comfortably in any hand. the result is a stand-out Cross pen that writes well.

Pen’s Features:

• Medium-sized twist-action ballpoint with art-deco lines
• Blue lacquer barrel with lustrous chrome cap and appointments, with black ink
• Comes in Cross brand gift box
• A permanent personalized engraving that appears light brass on the pen cap or upgrades to deep cut blue filled engraving

Other specs:

• Cross Calais AT0112-3
• Barrel width: 1.2 cm
• Pen Weight: 1.2 oz.

#2: Woodmark Rosewood Ballpoint Pen and Case

Woodmark Rosewood Ballpoint Pen and Case

This custom engraved Rosewood Ballpoint and Case is an excellent choice for a meaningful gift. The natural rosewood is finished with high-quality oil that highlights the natural grain and adds a protective topcoat.

The pen is comfortable, reliable, and long-lasting, perfect for daily use. Put your engraving on both the pen and the case, and make this a gift pen your recipient will be sure to remember.

Pen’s Features:

• Twist-action ballpoint pen in a matching case
• Rosewood carved ballpoint with gold accents and case with black ink
• Custom engraving is black with the option for a gold engraving 

Other specs:

• Barrel width: 1.3 cm
• Pen Weight: 1.2 oz.

#3: Lumen Light Up Pen—Blue

Lumen Light Up Pen - Blue

This custom engraved Lumen light-up pen is a fun, memorable gift because your engraving lights up with a click of the stylus! This multi-function pen has a ballpoint nib and a stylus for use with any medium digital or analog. 

It's a pen that will have you positively beaming! Twist the grip to extract the pen ink. Personalization makes your text or logo stand out whether the pen is illuminated or not. It has an ergonomic shape and deeply textured rubber grip for holding comfort.

Pen’s Features:

• Twist-action ballpoint and stylus
• Black barrel with chrome trim and black ink
• Pen ships in a velvet gift sleeve
• Custom engraving reveals a white engraving that lights up when clicked

Other specs:

• Barrel Size: 1.1 cm
• Pen Weight: 0.5 oz.

#4: Alexandria Fountain Pen—Red

Alexandria Fountain Pen - Red

A personalized Arizona fountain pen is a great way to show appreciation for someone you care about. This affordable fountain pen is one of the best values available. 

For the cost, you get an all-metal construction pen with an adaptive nib that accentuates every line personal to your style. 

Pen’s Features:

• Medium stainless steel nib fountain pen
• Personalized engraving cuts into the finish for a permanent warm brass message
• Ink converter and two black ink cartridges included
• Gift for graduation, men, women, professionals, and birthdays

Other specs:

• Barrel Size: 1.5 cm
• Pen Weight: 1.6 oz.

#5: Monroe Gold Plated Pen and Pencil Set 

The Monroe 18 carat gold set is a well-known best-seller. It's an affordable, metal construction set of reliable stationery.

The rubber grips, together with a medium barrel, make for a very comfortable writing experience. It's a great choice for any occasion, and there's ample space for a clean, noticeable custom engraving.

Pen’s Features:

• Click-action ballpoint and pencil set
• 18 carat gold-plated finish with black ballpoint ink and 0.7 mm lead in the pencil
• Ships ready to give in Dayspring Pens gift box
• Personalized engraving appears subtle as a tone-on-tone

Other specs:

• Barrel Size: 1.0 cm
• Pen Weight: 0.6 oz

What Should You Look for While Shopping for Your Pen?

Firmness and Sturdiness of Material

Generally, the higher the quality of a pen’s build, the less cheap it’s likely to be. But this isn’t a rule that’s set in stone. Affordable pens can be both sturdy and durable.

The true yardstick for durability in your pen—what you should look out for while shopping—is its use of durable materials such as titanium metal, sterling silver, celluloid, rare woods , and ebonite rubber.

The Pen’s Trim and Finish 

A pen’s trim contributes to its overall aesthetic. Many engraved pens will make use of rhodium, silver, or even gold for the nib design, clip, and banding.

A well-designed pen leaves plenty of space for the engraved text and matches the outer trim of the pen’s body. More importantly, its capping mechanism should work smoothly and snugly, whether it twists, snaps or presses in.

Quality of Stroke

This is perhaps the most important aspect you should look for in a pen. The actual quality of writing experience of the pen. Its penmanship, if you will. 

An irreducibly subjective quality which only you can determine after having tried it out.

As luxurious and meticulous as a pen’s design might be, you need to make sure it’s both something that feels good in the hand and something that produces a decent stroke. The nib width and type play a huge role in this.

Type of Pen

Most pen enthusiasts are looking for something specific. Something that conforms to their everyday writing needs. 

There are essentially three main types of pens from which to select: fountain pens; rollerball pens, and ballpoint pens. The pen that’s generally regarded as the best option for engraving, that which speaks to the kind of luxurious personalization you’re probably looking for, is the fountain pen.

Customer Support 

Another reliable marker of a good pen-maker is a focus not only on production but on optimizing, testing, and inspecting a sold pen for the promised experience after the sale. 

Likewise, a good pen manufacturer will always offer a warranty/guarantee in case of a defect. This reinforces their credibility and strengthens their promise to sell you a durably made pen.

Signing Off—Why Dayspring Pens?

Whether you are searching for a meaningful gift for someone who’s retiring or moving on up the corporate ladder, Dayspring Pens provides you with the right luxury pens and exemplary customer service to match.

Let us know about your favorite affordable personalized pen in the comments!

Sam DiNardo Sam Di Nardo is the Lead Blogger at Dayspring Pens where she has become an expert in all things ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pen. Her current fountain pen favorite is the Franklin Cristoph Model 20 Marietta. She lives in Virginia with her husband and their growing family. Learn more about Sam's Bio.