The Jotted Line

It's super annoying when you want to get a loved one or someone in the office the perfect gift, but you don't know the best options. Hold on, I've got one idea that might be everything you're looking for: how about engraved pens for gifts? Think about it: some engravable fountain pens for graduation gifts or perhaps a rose gold pen set for an anniversary gift—these can make memorable gifts for everyone. Why do personalized pens make such a great gift?  Here are my 11 reasons why: Personalized Pens fit any occasion. They fit any budget. They fit any gift recipient. They fit any business. They're timeless. They're eco-friendly. They reduce stress. They can help you or someone else get organized. They are quintessential study tools. They encourage creativity. Well, they're just more meaningful! Let's start with number 1! 1.) Personalized pens fit any occasion. Pens fit any occasion, and they can make every occasion so much more special in. For example: One of our staff members gave her husband a Waterman Hemisphere Rollerball for his first Father's Day with a handwritten engraving saying "Happy Father's Day" and a little baby stick figure face engraved on it. Now every time they have a new addition to the family, she's going to engrave a new little baby stick figure on it. The same person also gave a less expensive personalized pen to her doctor, saying, "Thank you for all the help". Pens have a kind of neutrality to them that says, "You can give me to your fiancé or a random client; I'll still be perfect." The personalization, the intentionality put into finding the right pen, and the fact that they can be made out of a wide range o materials (plastic, wood, 24kt gold, etc.) help them meet the often high demands of quality gift-giving. On what occasions can personalized pens make the perfect gift? Here's just a few: Christmas Father's Day Mother's Day Retirements Valentine's Day Thanksgiving Birthdays Conferences Job Promotions Graduations When starting a new job Awards Closing on a first house Contract signings Be ready for any special event with high quality personalized pens!  Related Reading: 7 Best Personalized Pens for Valentines Day Gifts 2.) Personalized pens fit any budget. For the Penny Pincher ($30 and under) It's actually super easy to find a great gift pen for a bargain. There's a whole range of pens you can find for under $35 which are still of the highest quality. Maybe aim for ballpoint pens; these tend to be the most affordable option for luxury pens. Cross, Parker, Regal, and Sheaffer are all incredible brands with really affordable buying options. I've written two other articles that might be helpful reads: one on finding personalized gifts and another on personalized pens on a budget. For the balance of generosity and frugality ($30-$80 range) The options for pens in the $20-$70 range are overwhelming. This is the range most shoppers who are trying to get a really special gift for a loved one tend to roam. The pens in this range don't cost a fortune in comparison to other gifts, but as far as just pens are concerned, this is where quality and cost are going to have the most overlap. This is where your buck gets the most bang. Check brands like Parker, Baron Fig, LAMY for pens in this range. Many of them come with personalization options. For the Big Spender ($80 and up) For some, spending over $80 on a luxury pen might seem a waste of money and a bit too pretentious. That why I wrote another article debunking myths about buying luxury pens. There's so many options available for personalized pens in the higher expense range ($80 and up). Brands like Mont Blanc, Ancora, and Namiki for the most extravagant pen collections. A lot of them are very unique pieces, some even allow for engraving. But look to Waterman, Parker, and Cross for pens in the $80-$200 range. You are guaranteed to find personalized pens from these brands. Get something ideal within your budget with a personalized pen! 3.) Personalized pens fit any gift recipient. Pens just fit everyone. It's hard to find someone who wouldn't appreciate one as a gift. Pens are excellent gifts for all the people we love. How are they related to you? If it's for Mom or Dad, a sibling, a romantic partner, a coworker, or your boss, personalized pens can memorialize and deepen the value and respect you have for each other. They can also be relatively un-personal, which is ideal for giving to an acquaintance or someone in a professional relationship. Because pens have a kind of universal appeal, it's just an easy choice for everyone in your life. What do they do for work? Pens make the best gifts for people in a multitude of occupations. Is your gift recipient a doctor, lawyer, scholar, or some other kind of professional? Are they constantly jotting down notes, writing memos, or drafting speeches? If pens fit into their daily writing needs, so you'll be getting them both symbolic and practical gifts. On the flipside, if the recipient will use the pen  on special occasions, try something unique. What do they love doing in their free time? Pens also make the best gifts for most people's hobbies of writing, journaling, and drawing. So, if your recipient enjoys the use of pens for their own personal pleasure, it's going to go over really well. Writing Styles Don't know whether they'd best prefer a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen? There's a style out there for everyone! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Writing Styles. 4.) Personalized pens fit any business. Personalized pens make the best marks of corporate excellence and have a unique ability to show appreciation. One thing you can do with personalized pens is order a large number of them with your company logo engraved on them and then engrave each one again with the name of each of your employees. Get one for each new hire or get them as a Christmas gift for your whole team! This type of purchase is called a corporate gift. What is a corporate gift? A corporate gift is a gift made out either to members of your own company or as a promotional item for clients which can make a huge impact on business-to-business relationships.  Explore More: 4 Reasons Why Corporate Gifting is Crucial to Growth Why does a custom pen make the perfect corporate gift for growing your business? A quality in-house corporate gift can help increase the morale and productivity of your corporate team. A promotional corporate gift can 1.) introduce your brand to other companies in a compelling way and 2.) foster long-term increases in output and profits by maintaining good faith with corporate clients. Do better business with personalized pens as a corporate gift! 5.) Personalized pens are a timeless gift. Personalized pens are the best timeless gifts for at least two reasons: Their classic feel and longevity. Classiness Luxury pens are just universally classy gifts.  Giving a mug might be useful, and a tote bag will definitely sit in the back of a car waiting to be used at the grocery store if I can ever remember to bring the bags in… However, luxury pens inherently communicate, “I think you have something to say.” They can be stylish and sophisticated while still practical. Also, anyone with a fancy pen feels... well, fancy. Every time I use a quill I feel like I could be writing the Declaration of Independence. When I twist the cap off a fountain pen, I think, My handwriting is about to look INCREDIBLE (no comment on if it actually does…but I feel so cool using it.) Breaking out a rollerball, I think to myself, I’m about to crush this Sudoku. I don’t need a heckin' pencil today! Pens can make users feel connected to a vibrant historic world of writers and professionals.  Longevity Because of their material construction, most personalized luxury pens are actually built with the expectation of being heirlooms. This means they should withstand higher wear and tear and will be refillable. They're gifts that will stay with the recipient and remind them of you for a long, long time. Here's two of the best examples I have come across in my days on the production side of the business (they both happen to involve the Cross Classic Century): A customer called to purchase a Cross Classic Century for a Graduation present. She shared that she had received the same pen as a gift when she graduated from high school 30 years before and still used the pen. A customer called to inquire about adding engraving two sets of Cross Classic Centuries in 10kt gold. He had owned the sets since childhood and had recently found out his health was failing. He wanted to have his antique sets engraved with his niece’s and nephew’s names so that they could be given to them when they turned 16 (they were 7 at the time). In both instances, the pens were cherished gifts that meant the world to the giver and had lasted over 30 years of loving use.  Personalized pens stay with your gift recipient pretty much forever and can be passed down to the next generation. 6.) Personalized pens are more eco friendly. It's great to be eco-conscious when you shop and try to reduce the amount of waste your purchases produce. There's so much material waste in buying cheap, plastic, throwaway pens from production to where they end up after the ink runs out. Buying personalized engraved pens for gifts is a choice to reduce both production waste and garbage waste. A commitment to use a pen that lasts will help reduce your personal contribution to negative environmental impact. Save the planet with a personalized pen! 7.) Personalized pens reduce stress. Studies show that writing by hand rather than a computer is a great stress reliever. Keeping a personal journal helps human beings confront and process complex emotions better. Just take a look at these entries from some names you might just recognize. This is because contact between the pen and the page and a concrete, completed object that summarizes those complex feelings acts as an emotional cap to otherwise confused inner reflection. Help someone destress with a new pen! 8.) Personalized pens can help you or someone else get organized. Other studies show that writing down to-do lists is a much better way to get organized than setting alarms on your phone or anything else really. I personally have a much easier time getting things done when I write out a list (mostly on a sticky note) and have the satisfaction of crossing the task off. Sometimes I even throw in a task I just finished so I can have that feeling right at the start of my list. Also, anyone who can just remember what they need from the grocery store without a written list...get out of here...just. leave. Pens are obviously convenient gifts for completing important paperwork, filing taxes, and etc., so consider giving someone a decisive tool in getting stuff done. Help someone get organized with a personalized pen!  Further Reading: 13 Best Custom Personalized Pens   9.) Personalized pens are quintessential study tools. You might be thinking:no takes hand-written notes anymore in the modern world with computers and tablets galore ?  Interestingly, Princeton Researchers Pam A. Mueller and Daniel A. Oppenheimer concluded in 2014: The present research suggests that even when laptops are used solely to take notes, they may still be impairing learning because their use results in shallower processing. In three studies, we found that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand. We show that whereas taking more notes can be beneficial, laptop note takers' tendency to transcribe lectures verbatim rather than processing information and reframing it in their own words is detrimental to learning. If someone is in a field of study where it's important they memorize the facts, a computer might be the best way for them to take notes. But when it comes to any sort of conceptual knowledge that needs to be gained, writing your notes by hand the old fashioned way with a gift pen will help in the long run. Finding a great personalized pen for someone in the midst of their academic endeavors will be one of the best gifts and a great, thoughtful tool to help support them. Maybe even find some cool notebooks to go with it to help them organize notes for different classes. Help someone keep their study brain focused with a personalized pen! 10.) Personalized pens encourage creativity. I have already talked a great deal about how using a pen and paper can stimulate the brain in different ways than using a digital medium. Of course this translates to creativity as well! So much creativity is conceptual, so flushing out ideas with a great pen can be a relief in the jumble of thoughts that can be the start of a project.  Author Gillian Flynn does exactly this: I do my ‘real writing’ on a laptop but all my thinking—notes, plots, character development—longhand. If your creativity lends more towards the drawing than writing, just do a quick google search of ballpoint pen artwork and prepare to be amazed. (I really like Scott Mackie and Rachel O’Brien personally.) Doodlers throughout history (even William Blake!) will say just how much fun it is to put pen and paper and let your mind wander whether that pen is a ballpoint, rollerball, or fountain pen. Personalized luxury pens get those artistic gears turning! 11.) Personalized pens are really meaningful! The best personalized pen is the pen that means the most to you. One last story from my time on production: A customer called in one day looking to get six custom Cross Townsend pens. His mother had just passed away and he was hoping to have her signature engraved on each of the pens to give as gifts to each of his siblings at the funeral. Sometimes it's hard to find meaningful gifts to share with loved ones or gifts that truly capture the importance of a moment. Engraving the right thing on a beautiful pen can instantly make that pen cherish-able.  No matter what, those children can look at that pen, and be reminded of their mom. It's hard to get more meaningful than that. Which is the best personalized pen for a go-to gift idea? Sometimes we aren't looking for a perfect cherished gift for a loved one. Sometimes we just want a nice go-to gift to show appreciation to clients or give to cousins you only see once every other year. Here are some tips for finding a great go-to gift pen for casual giving. Ballpoint pens are a crowd-pleaser. Medium barrel pens fit everyone's hand. You can impress with a nice metal body or smooth lacquer pen. No need to worry about gold appointments or hand tooling. Business is business. An entry level pen from a great brand name company is plenty professional. Here are some suggestions: Cross Calais Chrome Ballpoint Pen By far Dayspring Pens' best seller, this pen has the Cross pens brand name, writes well, is durable and well-sized, and the all chrome design tends to suit everyone. Parker Jotter Gel Pen The Parker Jotter placed 7th in The Strategist's list of 100 Best Pens for a reason. The durable body, satisfying click, and dark ink line are defining characteristics of this quality pen.  It has been known as a historically innovative ballpoint pen, but I personally favor the gel pen version for its fine writing line and smooth writing texture. Either way you can’t go wrong. People Also Ask... What Does a Pen Symbolize? Pens can symbolize a number of big ideas: freedom, intelligence, creativity, professionalism, determination, diligence, etc. As gifts, pens can symbolize the value you have for your gift recipient's freedom of thought. That's why pens are traditionally given as graduation gifts. How are pens engraved? I've got an entire ultimate guide on the engraving process. It's super interesting! What are the pen customization options? Font Traditionally, a Script font for women, a block print for men, and something like Times for initials (The straight tails and flourishes on the lettering looks sharp). Color Really if you want it, you can find it when it comes to color. You might find it hard to find specific hues, but if you are willing to pay some companies will color-match to your specifications.  Metal finishes like chrome, gold, and copper will be easy to find and flexible to your budget. Lacquer finishes will get you a variety of colors and textures. Wood finishes will depend on the type of wood and the varnishes used to finish the pen. Standard Engraving Standard engraving is going to cover any text with the fonts listed by the engraving company. Think: getting a name engraved, a short phrase, or the name of a company. This is often free or included in the price of the pen and will use whatever fonts the company is licensed to use. Deep Cut Color Filled Engraving Deep Cut Color Filled Engraving cuts farther into the pen allowing the engraving to be filled with a colored lacquer.  Think: Your name in blue on a white pen. This will normally hold to all the same rules of Standard Engraving in terms of fonts and whatnot. It can be up-charged or free depending on the engraver and the pen style. Logo Engraving Logo Engraving is an engraving of a logo, symbol, or some proprietary art.  Think: the Apple apple, a specially designed company name, or a mascot. This often has a charge for the logo rendering on the first order, but is free for any subsequent orders with the same artwork.  Engraved Handwriting Signature Engraving involves engraving someone’s handwriting on a pen. Think: John Hancock’s signature on your pen cap or the Happy Father’s Day example from earlier. How long does engraving take? The engraving process timeline varies by company. I've compiled a short list of engraving companies and their production timelines. Dayspring Pens has a turnaround of about 4-5 days, sometimes much sooner! But you can also get Rush Production, so your order will be shipped in one business day. Does engraving cost extra? Most personalization companies, like Dayspring Pens, don't charge extra for engraving. For others, it only costs a few dollars more in $3-$10 range. Conclusion I hope this all shows why personalized pens are the best go-to gift this year where you are buying for your mom or your clients. Now it's time for you to speak up! Tell me about your personalized pen gifting experience in the comments. Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Many people would find the very nature of gift-giving as an act that strengthens relationships. At least in a personal and vertical environment. But here, the main question lies: is giving gifts to bosses in the workplace just as acceptable? ANSWER: If your workplace allows it, yes! Some don’t allow it, though, so ask HR or read through the employee handbook. In the workplace, gift-giving isn’t always an obligation. Business etiquette might even go so far as to dictate that giving gifts to your superior is far from the norm. If done wrong, you can encounter some very awkward workplace dynamics, like harassment and favoritism. But that isn’t to say giving office gifts to bosses is forbidden outright too. It’s best to understand the workplace culture before gift-giving and find out whether it’s acceptable or not. Here are some tips on figuring out whether you should buy your boss an office gift and some professional unique gift ideas. Do People Buy Their Bosses Gifts? Image from: Unsplash Yes, there’s a definitive crowd of gift-givers in certain workplaces. In fact, a study conducted by Olivet Nazarene University found that 32% of people purchased a gift to their boss at some point. While that’s a good chunk of people, many workplaces have employee handbooks that explicitly cover the permissibility of gift-giving. Some companies allow it, while others don’t. If you do decide to buy a gift for your boss, consider talking to the HR staff to see the extent to which gift-giving is allowed. Once they give you the go-signal, you’re free to shop as much as you want to find the perfect gift for your boss. The DONT’s of Giving Office Gifts to Your Superior Here are some restrictions to bear in mind when giving office gifts to your bosses. Don’t forget to follow the etiquette rules set by your employer Don’t give gifts that cross any boundaries, like lingerie or a bouquet of flowers When possible, don’t steer clear from group collaboration; give group gifts with them instead Don’t bribe your boss and expect favors that’ll set you apart from your coworkers With all that said, the corporate culture is highly contingent on your workplace and country. If you’re looking for a start, sending a gift that signals or relates to business success and practical use is usually a sound idea. How to Give a Gift to My Boss? It’s not always about the gift. It’s about how you present it too. Don’t send them a shoddily-wrapped package through the intern. That reeks of lack of consideration and could even be negatively misinterpreted. Instead, go the extra mile and show your appreciation by presenting your gift in a more heartfelt way. You can do this by simply adding a handwritten note of appreciation. How Much Should I Spend on My Boss’s Gift? Image from: Unsplash Abiding by business etiquette, the amount you’ll allocate for the gift’s budget boils down to two things: your job title and the strength of your relationship. If you’re still in the lower rungs and looking to make a lavish purchase for your boss higher up the ladder, you risk getting snide eyes from coworkers who think you’re trying to ingratiate yourself. If you’re higher up in the ladder, like an associate vice president to the regional vice president, you have more room to splurge and deepen your working relationship while you’re at it. Your office gift ideas should strike a delicate balance between what’s affordable and what’s valuable. Should I Buy a Group Gift or an Individual Gift? If your coworkers are planning to chip in for your boss’s office gift, then you probably should too. If you decline, it might inadvertently leave a sour taste in your coworkers’ mouth, giving off the image that you don’t like participating in the larger group. Following the department’s protocol is the safest bet since it’s generally deemed acceptable within the office environment. Plus, you still contribute towards giving your boss a heartfelt gift without skirting past eyebrow-raising means. If no such protocols regarding group gift ideas are in place, then that’s when you can offer an individual gift to your boss instead.  Can Employees Accept Gifts from Bosses? Yes, managers, bosses, and executives can give gifts to their employees. It’s up to you to decide whether to accept them as well. But, bear in mind; it’s important to keep professionalism in the workplace. While a thank you card or a desk item are great gifts for coworkers, a bouquet of flowers out of the blue would send the wrong message.  Related Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Gifting Etiquette Should I Expect Anything from My Boss in Return? If you get a positive response for the gift, awesome. A follow-up positive reception is always nice, but don’t expect more than that either. If they don’t respond, leave it be. They may be too busy to set some time to thank you, and you shouldn’t stay in limbo and overthink it. Simply move on. But more often than not, it’s reasonable to expect a simple gratitude note on your desk or an email from the recipient after. What Gift Should I Give to My Boss? You may still find yourself troubled over what can be considered a thoughtful gift for your boss? See what interests your boss and base your unique gift idea off that. Maybe they’d like a box of donuts from the new donut shop down the block, or maybe they’d be just as happy to receive an Amazon Gift card and call it a day. Finding their interests usually comes with time, but your coworkers may also have some inside scoop on your boss’s hidden interests. Get insights from them as well. But one thing’s for certain. The absolute safest and most functional gift idea is one that’s usable during work hours — like a pen from Dayspring Pens. Excellent Corporate Gifts for Coworkers and Bosses Looking for a gift idea for your boss? We have pens that are certified boss-pleasers listed below. Waterman Expert Ballpoint - Black Chrome Trim Waterman Expert Ballpoint - Black Chrome Trim Product Features: Twist-action Waterman ballpoint with black ink Polished palladium appointments and a black-lacquered body Comes in a Waterman gift box Custom gold-plated engraving to add as message Waterman warranty for defects (3 years) Whether you plan to group buy or individually purchase the item, give your boss this stylish pen to suit their daily needs. The Waterman Expert ballpoint pen provides smooth and consistent ink flow that looks great on top of any executive’s desk. Give this looker a chance to shine, and you’ll have your boss beaming from ear to ear. Parker Premier Rollerball Pen Product Features: Rollerball pen that comes in a cap with black ink A shiny black finish with 23-karat gold-plated appointments  Gold laser engraving that marks in gold tones Two-year mechanical warranty by Parker  Comes in premium Parker gift box Exude an aura of elegance and prestige with The Premier luxury pen. This rollerball is a rich writing instrument that takes the smoothness of fountain pens with the reliability of the ballpoint pen. This pen is perfect for exclusive buys with its premium price tag and equally commanding looks that’s sure to make your boss’s day. Go for Dayspring  A great gift for your boss should be one you are proud to give them, and a personalized item from Dayspring Pens is without a doubt something you can stand behind. Get them one for a special occasion or even just because. You’re sure to leave a lasting impression either way. Plus, our pens are of superior quality so they're going to remember the gesture for a long time coming. Find something perfect for your boss in our wide collection today. Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

What are the best personalized gifts? I've seen a lot of different ideas and gift guides for personalized gifts in various places. USAToday, NYT, Buzzfeed, and a thousand other places have some really great, relevant lists. What I want to do in this article is collect some of the best personalized gifts not on Amazon, from small-time gift-makers and from big-time consumer lists, which I've collected from across the web (from an engraved cutting board to individually pressed records, and from rented billboards to personalized toilet paper) in one place. This is the exhaustive list. (At least, I'm exhausted from making it.) Here's Our 103 Best Personalized Gift Ideas for 2024 1.) Custom Cassette Tapes   Cassette tapes in 2024? Might seem counterintuitive, but who for those of us who grew up listening to tapes over and over, it's a comforting throwback. Plus, you can get the tapes printed with your new, heard-it-before-it-was-cool tunes. So, for the hipster in all of us, there's these amazing custom cassette tapes. Get back to handing out sweet mix tapes to your friends. 2.) Engraved leather catchall If you're like me, the one thing you're consistently forgetting is your keys. Give someone the place where they know they'll always be, and add an extra special engraving to remind them who cares they don't get locked out of their apartment again. 3.) Avito Wine Tumblers  Wine tumblers to beat the heat. These personalized gifts will keep the good times rolling! 4.) Folded Book Art It might seem like a waste of a good book, but not a waste of memories! 5.) Engraved Wooden Watch To remember good times with good people. 6.) Wall-Mounted Bottle Opener I wish someone would get me one of these so I wouldn't have to go rummaging around for a bottle opener in my miscellany drawer. It's a dangerous business. One of the best personalized gifts for beer enthusiasts! 7.) The best personalized hats You know that friend with all the funny hats? They'll love another which really expresses their humor and style! 8.) Engraved Whiskey Stones Keep that bourbon chilled but still neat with these EXTRA NEAT whiskey stones. 9.) DivvyUp socks We all have that friend who wears the wildest socks. Add to their collection of ankle-length comedy and positive spirit by ordering a pair of personalized socks.  10.) Eco-Friendly Candle Pack There's a lot of eco waste in the candlemaking industry. Here's a simple way to cut back on it and give someone a great smelling home at the same time. 11.) Tile Mat    There's endless creative potential with one of these tile mats; you can draw funny little pictures, or just be boring and say "welcome" on it. 12.) Zip Code Pillow   For if you want to be comfy on the couch but also need to remember where you live. 13.) Personalized Children's Toolbox A memorable gift for kids! You'll only regret it if your toddler works up the confidence to "fix" that one really stubborn sink drain in the guest bathroom. 14.) Canva Stickers Give random yet personalized gifts to your friends, family, and colleagues using Canva Stickers. It could be surprise good-jobs, daily affirmations, celebrations, thank-you messages, and reminders. You could also add it to your existing gift boxes. With millions of free templates and icons, you could surely make it tailored to their personality. 15.) Personalized Cigar Cases   Be swanky and smell like Arnold Schwarzenegger with one of these cigar cases. 16.) Custom Rocketbook You can't go wrong with a Rocketbook. It's a reusable, smart notebook which still give you the classic pen and paper experience. It crosses the gap between writing your notes in a normal notebook and writing them on your phone or pad with a stylus. Reusability is one of the best features of a Rocketbook; waste reduction makes it a more eco-friendly product for a fellow employee. The mini version is just as cool. 17.) Personalized Carhartt Tool Bag The adult version of the children's toolbox. For fixing what your toddler tried to "fix" with their custom toolbox. 18.) Charging Pad and Catchall For those of us who not only lose their keys, but their phone and chargers to match. A personalized gift for organization! Lauren Bundle of Courant told me: A charging pad and catchall is a great placement gift for everyone! 19.) Beat Block Cell Phone Speaker This is such a cool gift! I always just put my phone in like a mug or a bowl or something to amplify sound, but this beat block is designed specifically to channel sound to the max without needing to be charged. This bad boy is compatible with all iPhone models and comes with the engraving at no extra cost. Get it engraved for your gift recipient so they can pump up the jams and feel cared about. Makes a great personalized gift for the holiday season! 20.) Personalized Hydro Flask Every office has a few well-hydrated H2O enthusiasts who carry their own bottle around with them wherever they go. They're very rarely seen without it. Consider getting them a bottle that matches their style and adventurous spirit. Price: From $38 21.) Personalized Hatchet You could maybe chop a tree down with one of these bad boys. Or make your groomsmen think you're way more macho than you actually are. Your choice! This personalized gift sure makes the cut! 22.) Custom Sneakers  Vans shoe company has great personalization tool. They will even stitch custom wording on the heal of most of their shoes. It's a great spin on a classic shoe. And Vans aren't the only shoes you can customize! Chaco, Nike, and Converse footwear can also be customized just for you or your gift recipient. Watch your loved ones strut home in comfort, style, and a pair of unique shoes. 23.) Custom Appreciation Boxes from Swanky Badger Personalized cigar boxes make great groomsmen gifts and Father's Day gifts. Here's an idea! Get one of these and turn it into a gift box for something other than cigars. 24.) Custom Jigsaw Puzzles Let's face it: when you're stuck in a global pandemic, one of the best things to relax is to just do a big puzzle. Maybe help someone else take it easy with a personalized gift puzzle. Or ruin their lives by just making it a photo of a blank piece of paper. 25.) Tac-Force Knife For the person who always has a handy blade on them; get them an even more special one that shows how much you care. 26.) Personalized Billboards by Fliphound I think this gift is absolutely brilliant! Billboards can be surprisingly cheap; get one near you and show your wild appreciation for a family member or friend! 27.) Personalized phone cases from Collage Does someone you know live on the edge without phone case? Is it constantly falling with speed towards the ground? A custom phone case is a good go-to. It's a small, practical item that shows you want their screen to stay in one piece. 28.) Wood Docking Station I love these personalized gift docking stations so much! They're really simple, rustic, personalized docking stations to hold various personal belongings and save your neck from looking down at your phone 24/7. 29.) Baby Baptism Block This keepsake for baptisms is, at first, a great little toy for your child. Later on, especially if you have a few more, it can become a set to place on your mantel or a bookshelf to remember the moment. 30.) Custom snow globes If they're dreaming of snowy days, get them one of these cute little snow globes for Christmas and the holiday season. It's perfect to keep at the job or at home! 31.) Playing Cards For the keen-eyed poker player or consistent champion of Go Fish, a customized deck of cards is just simple fun! 32.) Personalized Christmas Tree ornaments They might have enough, but they'll always take another! Goofy or meaningful ornaments are a solid go-to this holiday season. Get one that you think will get your friends in the spirit of Christmas.   Sometimes things just go together! Do you have someone in your life you just fit with? Your sister, bother, best friend, significant other? If so, you need this ornament! It features a bright green avocado next to a slice of toast with smiling faces and a cute banner! Get your names on the bottom of each character and the year at the top! 33.) Personalized Hammer   Get Dad a meaningful, useful present for Father's Day or his birthday. The hammer comes laser engraved to your specifications so you can really NAIL his special day. There's so many hammer puns. Like this one: "I just wrote a song about hammers. It's a real banger." 34.) Personalized Gift License Plates These are a fun way to show your appreciation for their generosity and time. If they're the type of person that's really into their car, it shows you see their passions and you want to encourage them. 35.) Create Your own PopSockets Pretty much everyone's got on on the back of their phone. Get them one that just... pops. 36.) A Personalized Pen   An engraved pen from us is a nice, affordable option!   Consider the Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen with their name engraved on the cap. It's an easy-to-choose, meaningful choice for the best personalized gift that's sure to make anyone smile. 37.) Guitar Picks There's tons of options to pick from; get them one that really strikes a chord! Chris Mathe from PickWorld shared with me, Custom picks are great even if you don’t play. Recently we’ve been getting a lot of work from beard and haircare companies who use the picks to scoop product out of the container. 38.) Chess Boards Get them something that makes people ask them, "Have you watched Queen's Gambit?" 39.) Personalized Desk Wedge   A personalized desk wedge is the best way to either provide you with an opportunity to make your coworkers laugh or show your real appreciation in a new way. It may earn you some well-deserved respect around the office.   Engrave it with "World's Best Boss," or perhaps "Grand Master of the Water Cooler." Whatever works! 40.) Personalized Jersey Check out personalized jersey's for the sports fanatic. Places like MLBShop.com and NFLShop.com have a wide selection of sports memorabilia that they're sure to love, or consider getting them a gift card towards their next purchase. Help them show their best fandom! 41.) Spatula It's a spatula. That is all. 42.) Personalized Mug For that one caffeine-dependent overachiever who talks through the steam rising over a coffee mug in the morning. Help them achieve their goals even more with a coffee mug that's got an extra-special cartoon portrait of them on it. One Uncommongoods.com's customer said: “Got these mugs for my close friends and it made the apartment feel cozier. Everybody loved how much their cups resembled them, and the size! We all use them for different liquids lol, great quality, and the designs don't fade away. Also appreciated how easy it is to personalize them and how they send you the design you confirm before they make them.“ -Sam, Iceland 43.) Classic novels with your loved one as the main character This is such a great idea! Basically they comb through classic books and replace the name of the main character with the name of whoever you want, and voila! They become the main character in what was once a Sherlock Holmes novel. 44.) Engraved Shot Glasses   A shot glass is a fun way to commemorate good times with your friends. Get a shot glass engraved with their name, title (official or unofficial), or perhaps something to remind them of that one time when someone may or may not have danced on the bar tables. 45.) Engraved Cutting Board They'll love an engraved cutting board on which to do some cutting, chopping, slicing, and dicing. Engraved cutting boards make useful, thoughtful presents for the foodie and the avid cooking show follower. Price: From $20 46.) Wedding Ring Box Get one of these to hold your fine, covenantal jewelry, and remind you of who do it for. Get your initials on it! 47.) Personalized Gift Compass Feeling lost in 2024? There's a personalized compass for that! 48.) Howard Miller Desk Set Make someone's office look extra fancy with this clock and double pen desk set. Great for lawyers! A little redundant for watchmakers! 49.) Wallets A customized wallet is special for anyone who likes cold hard cash. Or else it's just good to have. Leatherology also a great selection of personalized wallets. And there's a thousand of them on Etsy. 50.) Bendy straws! Here's a goofy one! Get their name in a Krazy straw so they look completely ridiculous drinking their kombucha or whatever it is that's healthy now but won't be in six months. 51.) Engraved Laser Pointers Give someone an extra-engaging presentation or an extra-dizzy cat with one of these engraved laser pointers. 52.) University Sweaters Get a university sweater that says more than just "COLLEGE." Get one that says like "Jim Bob's College" or "Thorbjornsson University" or something. 53.) Mouth.com's foodie baskets Well, they've done it. The fun people over at Mouth have made personalized foodie baskets, and some of their most popular items are pickles and other harder to find renditions on common food items. Mouth lets you pick your price range and the dietary restrictions of your recipient in order to find the perfect combination of pickles, Black Tea-Infused Cheese, and some vegan delights. It's like a little survival kit to keep healthy for fun foodies. Price: Varies by size of the basket 54.) Yoga Mats Get centered on a mat of your own specifications! Don't bend over backwards to get your friend to try yoga! Get them a sweet new mat to start them off right. I use one just to do savasana for like three hours at a time. 55.) Personalized calendars Calendars are a great gift for someone's office space or a place in their home. At Snapfish, you can put one of your favorite photos of them on their calendar. 56.) Drinking Horn Great Odin's Raven! It's Beowulf's very own personalized beer mug brand! Legend has it that these personalized mugs from AleHorn were cut from a ram who grazed at Yggdrasil's roots... or something. 57.) Embroidered Train Case A fancy train case to carry toiletries like an absolute QUEEN. 58.) Personalized Door Pumpkin It's okay if you're the kind of person who doesn't throw out their Thanksgiving door pumpkin until April; but here's a stylish, light-up version that will never rot! So, in theory, you could leave it out all year round. 59.) Personalized vinyl records While on the pricier side of things, we just couldn't help but add Vinylify to our list of awesome personalized gift ideas. If your loved one has a deep love for music and a love for their record collection at home, consider making them a customized record out of a selection of songs you know they just can't stop listening to. Or you can get them a more reasonably priced gift card to help them craft their own ideal record! Vinylify have been widely praised in Wired Magazine, Uncrate, and Cnet.com for their affordable and individually pressed vinyls. It's one of those needle-to-the-groove perfect presents. 60.) Toilet paper!!! I think this is one of the best gifts in the list by far. Get personalized toilet paper to create memories that just won't wipe away. 61.) Customized Neon Signs While it's a bit pricey, a personal neon sign is one of the coolest personalized items we've seen, check out these neon signs from Yellowpop. A small one might make a great addition to a bedroom, hangout spot, coffee corner, man cave, cubicle, or office space. Also, be sure to check out these Neon bar signs. For the crazy cat lady, take a look at this neon cat sign from VinaCustom. 62.) Cookbook Stand An engraved cookbook stand for the kitchen will obviously make a memorable gift for whoever makes that mean apple pie. 63.) Flower Pots These are great! Get flower pots with someone's name or your favorite quote printed on them, and watch the memories grow! 64.) Coasters Here's an easy choice for office or home personalization: coasters. Get a coaster set with characters from their favorite movies, family members, or pictures of calming landscapes from a far-off land all printed on them. 65.) Whiskey barrels A barrel with their name on it will give them a fun method for aging their whiskeys! 66.) Personalized K Cups Personalized K Cups are perfect for the "don't talk to me till I've had 4.5 sips of my Keurig coffee" friend. Write them a funny little message on them to get them up and going in the morning. 67.) My Face Pillow Well, it's a weird one, but... Yeah, this is just weird. Get it for your really weird friend. 68.) A necklace with their name on it For an incredibly affordable price, My Name Necklace lets you add a personalized touch to your friend's new gold or silver necklace. It's the perfect gift that just says, "This is me!" 69.) Engraved Cross Journal and Pen Gift Set     An engraved Cross journal and pen gift set is perfect for anyone who takes copious notes or likes to reflect in writing at the end of the day. Get this gift set for your writer friends to show them you care that they have enough space for all those big thoughts. 70.) Personalized T-shirt A fun T-shirt boosts morale! Get your recipient a shirt with a quote they love or something funny they said to you in passing that encapsulates who they are to you. Kit your friends out in personalized T's! 71.) Personalized Gift Photo Books from Shutterfly Personal photo books are a classic, and Shutterfly makes them super affordable! Collect a bunch of your favorite memories in one place to make one really special gift! 72.) Laptop Cases Give a loved one the gift of a safer laptop. Personal leather laptop cases are a classy gift for every remote worker! 73.) Monogrammed Fleece Robe from L.L. Bean Stay comfy in one of these monogramed fleece robes. Get your initials embroidered into it to add that extra personal touch. 74.) Pet Portraits An amazing gift for pet lovers! Get a fun portrait painted of your favorite family pets! 75.) Monogrammed Tote Bags from Cuyana or Madewell Both Cuyana and Madewell offer high-quality monogrammed bags. Take a look at their various buying options and find the best personalized bag for your loved one. 76.) Photo Blanket There's always someone in your life who's always rubbing their shoulders and asking if anyone else is cold. Get them the tool to combat their own personal arctic breeze! 77.) Face masks!!!! We all have to do our part during this pandemic. A personalized gift face mask helps your friends stay safe and keep their personality out where everyone can see it at a safe distance. 78.) Baby's Hooded Blanket SUCH A CUTE GIFT! Get your li'l munchkin a sweet hooded blanket for the ultimate baby nap aesthetic. 79.) Wine Glasses Whether their preference is red or white, you can't go wrong with a wine glass engraved with a funny quote, or just get your loved one's name on it. 80.) Fanny pack Fanny packs are just plain fun! Someone who wears a fanny pack usually has a lot of confidence and fun energy. Maximize the vibe with a uniquely crafted fanny pack! 81.) Bobbleheads For the ultimate Dwight Schrute fan! Custom bobbleheads make really funny desk items. It expresses humor and the ability to not take oneself so seriously—especially at work! 82.) Curated Wine Subscription Give one of these awesome wine subscriptions to go with their personalized wine glasses! 83.) Heart Necklace Give a pendant necklace for every day wear and remembrance! Other similar options include an initialed pendant necklace, or one of these awesome constellation necklaces to represent their astrological sign. 84.) Silver Domed Ring Get this sleek silver ring engraved to your specifications. It makes a really cool embellishment to stylish, bold, unapologetically ring-wearing, male fashion. 85.) Oleksyn Prannyk's Engraved Journals These engraved journals are so high-quality. We love them! Legendary Moleskine Journals covered with vegetable tanned leather and personalized with your favorite quote, name or special date. They are handmade in a small family workshop located in Mooresville, North Carolina,USA. They have a really cool, subdued aesthetic that every journal buyer is sure to love. 86.) Engraved Cufflinks   Engraved cufflinks make amazing personalized groomsmen gifts to commemorate the time they stood behind you at the alter. Keep it stylish and matching! 87.) Engraved Ring Similar to #84, you can engrave whatever image you like on one of these rings. They make a very special, unique piece of jewelry. 88.) Personalized Stationary from Curio Press   Send letters with your own name already printed with professional or personal styling on it. Curio Press is a woman-owned and -operated family business that makes every order by hand. Stationary like this really sends a message! 89.) Personalized Cheese Boards from Dust and Things Buy one of these amazing customized cheese board for charcuterie and dinner parties. Get your initials engraved on it or the family motto! 90.) The Best Personalized Gift of Beer Growlers Beer growlers are great gifts because they can be reused, and most any brewery will be more than willing to fill it up to take home. Crystal Imagery has a beautiful selection of designs and styles ready for your customization. Get it engraved with a personalized gift message or a funny picture! 91.) Personalized Candles It's sure to melt the wax around the heart of even the most difficult person in your life to shop for. 92.) Personalized Bracelet Jewelry speaks volumes to the value you place in someone you love. Get initials or names engraved on one of these for Valentine's Day and give it to that special someone. 93.) Personalized Flasks Flasks are a must-have for dry weddings and a day on the green. Get them one of these with their name engraved on it so they remember what their name is when the time comes. 94.) Personalized Rocks Glasses What's better to pair with a flask (besides bourbon) than a pair of rocks glasses! With one of these neat rocks glasses, everything will be al-rhye-t. 95.) Customized Family Tree What a super cool product! Get your family tree with all their names printed out and framed to remember all that came before and all that's growing still. 96.) 23andMe DNA Test These have been so popular lately, and they pair well will the personal family tree. Get a DNA test to see the regions of the world where your ancestors lived and loved! 97.) The Best Personalized Gift for Pet Lovers: DNA Test for Dogs And do it for your dog too! 98.) Leather Phone Case Don't let your friends fear dropping their phone anymore, but also give them the personal touch you'd want for your own phone. 99.) A loved one's face on a sticker Stick it on stuff... so they're always watching... 100.) Star Map A personalized star map makes a great birthday present and can represent the month of your loved one's birth. It's also great for science fiction nerds! 101.) Phone Charging Ports For the friend who constantly loses their charger, but also needs a little sprucing of their electronics. Customized charging ports make really simple, easy, useful gifts, and they pair really well with other tech-savvy gifts. This particular one by Classy Chargers is a Universal 5W wall charger, perfect for Apple certified cables. They even have fully customizable power banks!  102.) Printed Shower Curtains Put a high-quality photo on a shower curtain. Make it funny or meaningful! A great idea is printing the cover of your friend's favorite music album on it. Or put a picture of you and the rest of your friends on it to remind them of the crew! 103.) Finally, the Best Personalized Gift for Home Décor: A Framebridge Personalized Frame  A Framebridge frame is a great personalized gift for friends and loved ones because they immortalize their stories with a custom message on a the mat, a brass plate of the frame, or a story pocket on the back, all on a single frame.  With a Framebridge you can tell the story of past and present. Phew! That's a long list. I hope something in this list is the perfect gift for your loved one this year; at the very least, I hope it gets your gears turning about possibilities! Which of these personalized gifts are your favorite? Mine are obviously personalized pens! Let me know which ones you like best in the comments! DISCLAIMER: Dayspring Pens may receive a percentage from purchases through affiliate links. Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

The best pen for good handwriting can significantly impact one's writing style. Throughout life, I struggled with inconsistent and messy handwriting. I often neglected to dot the i's or cross the t’s. Worse still, the words danced high above the lines and wandered off the page! Years later, there was not much of an improvement in my handwriting style. However, after researching, I discovered the importance of choosing the right pen. I invested in some quality pens and put in the time to practice - and boom! My handwriting improved. Now, I walk around like a scribe, writing everything I can. So, how can you improve your handwriting? It all starts with your pen. (Trust me!) Image from: unsplash.com What’s in the Best Pen for Good Handwriting? Nothing is set in stone when it comes to the perfect pen. The right one for you may not be the same choice for me. However, good handwriting is a worthy investment and sourcing the best pens is a big step in the right direction. Dayspring Pens proved a great tool for me and I found what works for my handwriting style. I’ve identified some markers to help you find the ideal pens to improve your handwriting. Rate of Ink Drying  Have you ever written a full page with a fountain pen and in a split second, you swiped your hand over the paper - and the ink smudged? Not exciting at all.     Different types of ink dry at different rates. If you lack patience and are prone to smudging, you should get a ballpoint pen because the ink dries fast on the paper. This keeps your handwriting neat and impressive. A good pick is the Waterman Hemisphere Black Ballpoint Pen, going for $69.99. The gold trim not only adds to its sophistication but also the twisty action is a great take on the classic ballpoint. People assume that ballpoints are basic. But Dayspring Pens are elegant, good for showing off your handwriting, and have a great finish, regardless of the model.  Smooth Writing Experience As you improve your handwriting, there’s nothing so frustrating as your pen interrupting the flow and rhythm of your writing. I like a smoother pen, especially when I’m writing on paper for a long time. The best pen for this purpose is a rollerball or gel pen. These bad boys are smooth as molasses, enabling you to write with less pressure compared to ballpoints.  My favorite is the Cross Bailey Medalist Selectip Pen, a best seller for its luxe chrome barrel and lifetime mechanical warranty. It will have you rolling through your writing, page after page. Functionality of the Pen As I mentioned above, different pens work for different purposes. For everyday use, I prefer ballpoints and gel pens. I like to sign checks and paperwork with fountain pens, for that extra flair. Many people get pens for special occasions like signing marriage certificates or contracts. The beauty of Dayspring Pens is in the variety. These pens cater to a wide range of handwriting interests including calligraphy. A calligraphy fountain pen is great for writing enthusiasts.  Further Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Different Pen Styles: Ballpoint, Rollerball, Fountain Pen, and Gel Ink Pen Personal Touch What has been most memorable for me in this quest is having personalized pens. Purchasing Dayspring Pens for myself with my name or initials engraved on them not only makes me feel prioritized but also makes my handwriting stand out. It may sound surprising, but a study by Jie Zen in 2017 explains that consumers often need to feel unique and stand out. As a result, they buy customized goods to satisfy this personal need.     Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen - Blue Lacquer How was I Able To Improve My Writing Quickly?  When I found the ideal pens for me according to my needs, it was easier to put in the work to want to improve my handwriting. Below are some useful pointers to improve your handwriting and take it to the next level.  Hold Your Pen the Right Way How you hold your pen influences the quality of your handwriting and how long you can write effectively. Three fingers hold the pen in position; the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger. The ring and pinky finger stay in place and offer support as you write on the paper. Maintaining the right posture also ensures that you write consistently. Your legs should form a 90-degree angle between the seat and the floor to straighten your back. Avoid the urge to lean towards the writing paper - it will negatively affect your handwriting (and your back!). Image from: merakildh.in     Find a Unique Writing Style There are countless fonts and writing styles out there and it always helps to look up styles that you like. Then, you can write them in your handwriting to create your own style.  Changing your writing style often may not be helpful - it is more practical to choose one style and perfect it. That consistency helps to improve your handwriting. Open the Pinterest app on your phone to check out different types of writing and settle on what works for you.  Practice Handwriting Exercises Practice makes perfect, and it’s the same for handwriting. Doing exercises helps to ensure that you slant and shape letters well. Every letter counts. Consistent handwriting practice enables you to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. This awareness in practice helped me perfect my handwriting in a few months.  Image from: pinterest Here are a couple of exercises that help in improving your handwriting. I love these because they are light and varied. Also, these exercises are convertible into whatever format that works for you - PDF, File, or Docx. Some of the exercises are for school children and I was able to tap into my inner child and relive the good old days. Using lined paper is best for these exercises because it improves penmanship and makes practicing easy.  Explore More: 35 Handwriting Styles We Wish We Had   Consistent Practice You can do an exercise once or twice but for it to amount to anything, you must cultivate consistency. This handwriting practice builds confidence. You will improve your handwriting in no time.  It may seem boring to have to sit down daily to write. I decided to make it simple and fun. In every meeting, I volunteer to write minutes (much to the surprise of my boss). In the morning, I write down neat to-do lists and shopping lists. Other ways I practice include journaling, hand lettering, and writing notes to my loved ones. This made me embrace the practice without feeling like I had to do too much. Always have paper around and make it count. To jog your memory, here are my favorites Dayspring Pens : Waterman Hemisphere Ballpoint  Cross Bailey Medalist Selectip Dayspring Pens Are the Best Pens for Good Handwriting Deciding to work on my handwriting paid off with diligence and the right choice of pens. Dayspring has a variety of good quality pens at great prices coupled with excellent customer service. That’s why I’m now forever loyal to their brand. Aside from getting a lovely set of pens for yourself, you should pick up one or two for your friend, boss, or loved one. The catch is, you can get them customized for the occasion - be it Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even graduations. There’s nothing as special as getting elegant pens made just for you. Buy Dayspring Pens today, for a mélange of excellence, craftsmanship, and unrivaled quality.  Featured image: Freepik Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and you may be feeling the pressure to find just the perfect gift for those special people in your life. How about a Christmas gift pen? Today, we’re going to talk about 7 of our finest pen gift ideas for your holiday season, whether you are out to shop for your office Christmas party or your family holiday celebration. This selection is going to span different brands, price, and designs to show you the incredible options out there. Interestingly, one of the great things about each of these pens is that they all come with a free line of personalized engraving for a special custom Christmas gift. So, here's our list of the 6 best pens (and 1 great padfolio) for Christmas gifts: 1.) The Dayspring Pens Alexandria The newest addition to Dayspring Pens, the Alexandria pen is all about a classic statement pen that looks great on a desk or in a hand. Personalization on the lacquer blue finish will be nice and noticeable in gold matching the appointments. Talk about a perfect Christmas gift! Notably, Dayspring really took the time to hone in the writing experience of the Alexandria for both the ballpoint, the rollerball, and the fountain pen. All three are medium point with almost no skipping or resistance. Moreover, each writing style represents a textbook example of the strengths of the style. With a larger barrel, this pen will be great for bigger hands or anyone who likes a looser grip. Santa's going to be checking off his list with the Dayspring Alexandria: Price: starting at $25 Ink: Black inside the ballpoint and rollerball, cartridges with the fountain pen Size: Large Engraving Color: Gold    DISCOVER THE ALEXANDRIA   2.) The Cross Bailey The Cross Bailey line of fine writing instruments is a classic pen design that looks impressive and writes admirably. Furthermore, engraving looks particularly snazzy on this pen since the two bandings on the cap create a balanced focal point for personalization. The Bailey comes in black, blue, and red lacquer finishes and a “Medalist” option, with a choice of a rollerball, fountain nib, or ballpoint tip. Personally, I recommend the ballpoint or the rollerball for this pen. However, Cross fountain pens tend to have a stiffer, medium point nib that can be less responsive. Additionally, it has a medium barrel width that makes them easier to use for longer periods of time, perfect for fighting the writing fatigue often faced by consistent writing. Christmas gift highlights of the Cross Bailey: Price: starting at $44 Ink: Black inside the pens Size: Medium Engraving Color: Silver on colored finishes; light gold on medalist   DISCOVER THE BAILEY    3.) The Parker Jotter This pen is great as a gift or a stocking stuffer with its shorter slimmer design and durable all metal construction. The click mechanism on this pen will have the person next to you go crazy as you click it open and closed. (It's snappy and addicting). The Parker Jotter has been around pretty much since the ballpoint was invented and is just such a sturdy, reliable pen it is easy to see why. A nice taper, the Parker arrow clip, and a two-tone finish on the color models are the standout design features of this pen. Engraving takes a slightly darker tone-on-tone look, so it is more subtle if you aren't looking for pizzaz and are looking for a lil something nice. Traditionally a ballpoint, I am a massive fan of the gel pen version because I write close together and the fine point gel line looks dark and lush on the page. The Grinch will steal the Parker Jotter because: Price: starting at $20 Ink: Black inside the pens Size: Slim Engraving Color: Dark Brass   DISCOVER THE JOTTER    4.) The Dayspring Pens Monroe What is great about the Dayspring Pens Monroe is the weight, the click action, and the comfy ergonomic grip. This pen looks and writes like your favorite cheap throwaway pen, but looks nice enough to sit on your desk or use in a boardroom. Rich color finishes in black, blue, and red all come with 18k gold plated appointments, or you can go straight gold with the 18k gold plated Monroe. It comes predominately as a set of ballpoint and mechanical pencil which is nice cause you get two pens for the price of one. This pen also has plenty of room for an engraving so there isn't as much pressure to squeeze something small on the pen. The Monroe is one of the perfect Christmas gift pens with: Price: starting at $20 Ink: Black inside the pens; 0.7mm lead in pencil Size: Medium Slim Engraving Color: Gold   DISCOVER THE MONROE    5.) The Waterman Expert The Waterman Expert is the kind of pen that is a stand out Christmas present. It is a luxury pen with no bones about it. Indeed, rich high gloss lacquer finish, precious metal detailing, and time-tested writing precision make the Waterman Expert a rival with brands like Montblanc. The Expert has a larger, cigar shaped barrel and a magnificent twist-action on the ballpoint. The Waterman fountain pen and rollerball are also a great way to experience the world of high end pens. Its a great pen that is going to look really nice as a Christmas gift, especially when you add a personal engraving (which is actually free with this pen from Dayspring). Find the Waterman Expert on a desk in Nakatomi Plaza because: Price: starting at $130 Ink: Black inside the pens Size: Medium Engraving Color: Gold    DISCOVER THE EXPERT   6.) The Cross Century II The Cross Century II is one of the jolly christmas gift pens, exceptional in its design and writing performance. Arguably, it is one of the best pens Cross has ever made. Consequently, a fusion of the Cross Classic Century and the Cross Townsend, this pen has been an official White House pen for three presidencies. The finishes are luxe and refined, but the best part of this pen is the functional details. The way the cap snaps back on the pen in the rollerball and the seamless twist-action of the ballpoint. Each moment of using the pen feels completely thought out and meticulously crafted.  Available in multiple finishes, but particularly remarkable in the Pearlescent White, it is a medium barrel pen that is a delight to unwrap. Sleigh bells ring on the Cross Century II: Price: Starting at $89 Ink: Black inside the pens Size: Medium slim Engraving Color: Gold, silver    DISCOVER THE CENTURY II   7.) The Dayspring Pens Natural Leather Padfolio     Technically not a pen, but what experience of giving christmas gift pens is complete without the paper to write on? The Dayspring Pens Leather Padfolio is a beautifully crafted piece of natural leather, closed with an adjustable brass claps that expands or shrinks the portfolio.  Two sizes are available, A4 and A5, both complete with 40 pages of heavy 100 gram dot paper, perforated for easy tearing, an inner folder to hold loose sheets, and a cut out to fit an engraved pen in the spine. The larger A4 also has a business card holder slot. The Padfolio come custom engraved so it can complement an engraved pen for the gift set of the season. See why Santa got Dayspring Pens Padfolios for all his elves: Price: Starting at $120 Color: Natural brown leather Size: A4 and A5 Engraving Color: Black   DISCOVER A DAYSPRING PENS PADFOLIO    Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift Pens These are just five of the best Christmas pens you can find at Dayspring Pens. Additionally, each comes in gift boxes with free domestic shipping and a free line of personal engraving to help with as you shop for the holidays. Not only does each pen write well, but also they look great with engraving, and can find the perfect spot under your tree depending on your price point. For more pens and personalized gifts, check out our website or leave a comment below about your favorite pen this Christmas season! Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

What is it about writing with a pen that seems to all at once soothe the mind, capture the imagination, and connect us to endless possibilities? Well, for starters, a pen is a lovely piece of technology: simple yet elegant, unassuming yet capable of helping us to create wonders. To help craft your written labors of love (as well as your doodles and weekly grocery lists), there’s something incredibly satisfying about using a customized pen that’s made just for you. Personalized pens have long been popular with prolific writers as well as other great thinkers and celebrities. With your custom pen, you’re in good company. Let’s have a look at four of our favorite famous pen lovers.  Queen Elizabeth II Numerous heads of state around the world are known to have favorite pens. Bill Clinton used a Cross rollerball, while John F. Kennedy used a Parker ballpoint. Queen Elizabeth II is also a fan of the Parker brand, using the Parker 51. Image from: Wikimedia Elizabeth is known for her incredibly long life and reign, serving as Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth since 1952. What do the duties of a modern queen include? Well, for one thing, she signs her name. A lot. From official documents to birthday cards; applying her treasured signature is one of Elizabeth’s fundamental royal obligations. In fact, anyone celebrating a 100th birthday, or various other anniversaries and personal landmarks, is eligible for a personalized card from the Queen. To write like royalty, select and customize the perfect Parker pen for you or the person that you’re gift shopping for. Parker pens are available in a variety of styles, including a fountain, gel, ballpoint, and rollerball pen (read on to learn more about these styles). And of course, any pen purchased through Dayspring Pens can be personalized.  Further Reading: The 6 Best Parker Pens: #1 Is Super Affordable! Stephen King Stephen King has been described as the “King of Horror,” having published 61 novels that have sold over 350 million copies — including terrifying classics such as Carrie and The Shining. After suffering a road accident in 1999, King wrote Dreamcatcher using a Waterman cartridge fountain pen. He found writing with a fountain pen to be therapeutic, rhythmic, and calming. Furthermore, King stated that the use of a pen slowed down his thought process and helped him to consider each word. Many pen users will relate to King’s opinions on the benefits of writing with a pen. King even went so far as to describe the fountain pen as “the world’s finest word processor.” The perfect personalized pen for Stephen King? Maybe some blood-red lettering spelling out “King of Horror” in a spooky gothic font.   Related Topic: 3 Reasons Why Stephen King Writes With a Fountain Pen Neil de Grasse Tyson You don’t have to be a famous astrophysicist to collect personalized pens. But if you do happen to be one, you’d have some truly stellar pen designs on your desk. Astrophysicist, author, and science communicator Neil de Grasse Tyson is a known collector and user of fountain pens. Pen nerds will enjoy hearing one of the world’s great thinkers and speakers breaking down his pen preferences in this interview. Tyson’s enthusiasm for his pen collection is contagious, as he clearly goes the extra mile (or light year?) with his taste for customizable pens. Tyson’s three rules for custom pens are as follows: the pen needs an interesting nib (the part that contacts the writing surface); the cap has to post (slide on to the back of the pen while you write); and the personalization should, of course, be astronomy-themed. Neil de Grasse Tyson’s custom pens feature outer space imagery and travel with him in a special small briefcase. One of his favorites features a replica imprint of a lunar boot footstep made on the Apollo 11 moon landing. But, that’s not all; the pen features materials that were actually on the Apollo 11 mission!   Discover More: Customizable Luxury Fountain Pens Emma Watson In the Harry Potter films that shot her to superstardom, Emma Watson played the clever and studious Hermione Granger, often sporting a feather quill pen to assist in her spell and potions studies. Outside of her acting career, Watson has proven to be equally as ambitious as the young witch she portrayed. Watson has promoted gender equality and education for girls around the world; work that has brought her as far as Bangladesh and Zambia. In 2014, she was appointed as a United Nations Women Goodwill ambassador, which resulted in her famous delivery of a speech on gender equality at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. It should come as no surprise that Miss Watson carries a fountain pen. In an interview with Candy Magazine, Watson described the contents of her handbag, and included in the shortlist of items, was a Parker fountain pen which she exclaimed to be “so good!” Parker IM Fountain Pen She’s certainly not wrong about that! Fountain pens use liquid ink, allowing for a smooth and easy glide over the paper without needing to press down excessively. That means a fountain pen is great for use during an extended writing session. We aren’t privy to any details regarding personalization in Watson’s pen set. However, whether buying for yourself or as a gift, a personalized fountain pen is a great way to make a favored writing implement stand out and stay with its owner for years.  Check It Out: The 7 Best Parker Fountain Pens Finding the Perfect Pen From literary and Hollywood royalty to the British royal family — brilliant and distinguished individuals love a good pen, for reasons both practical and stylistic. If you’re looking to elevate your own writing game or send a special gift to a friend, loved one, or coworker, start by reviewing the four basic ink styles for pens: ballpoints, rollerballs, fountain pens, and gel pens. Ballpoint is the most popular pen-style. Ballpoints are reliable, consistent, widely available, and low priced. They function via a small ball at the tip that rolls on contact, releasing ink from the tube cartridge. Rollerballs, such as uni-ball pens, function like ballpoints, but usually use water-based ink, which requires less pressure to leave a strong mark on the page, but can still write with a fairly fine point. Fountain pens have replaceable ink cartridges. Instead of a point, there’s a nib, which is split down the middle, releasing ink through an inner channel. Fountain pens are elegant and iconic, but they also excel in performance, providing excellent ease of writing.  Gel pens feature a water-based ink with a high color pigment to water ratio, which helps them apply a full color effectively over dark-colored paper or slick surfaces. Did you know? While not an ink style, stylus pens used for touch screenwriting are another important modern pen type. The Ultimate Guide to Pen Writing Styles will help you to better understand the different types of pens and which ones you might prefer. Knowing the basic pen styles will get you started, and then you can enjoy selecting your various preferred characteristics, such as weight, color, and material. Pens are as varied and fascinating as the people that use them. To complete the perfect pen, have it personalized.  How to Personalize Pens Personalization might be done to express your taste or personality on your own pen, to create logo pens for a business or special event, or to craft the perfect gift. Along with selecting a pen’s specifications (color, design, etc.), the personalization of a gift pen will typically involve adding the person’s name to the pen. There are some ways to get this done cheaply, namely imprinting or pad printing. However, these methods will not result in a precise and elegant aesthetic finish, and the lettering will degrade over time. To achieve a beautiful and permanent personalization, have the name engraved. At Dayspring Pens, we engrave the majority of our orders in-house. Most of our engraving is performed with a fiber optic or CO2 Laser Engraving Machine. This offers precise and permanent engraving that will never fade or wear away. Engraved gift pens make for an absolutely classic gift and one that anyone would appreciate. Premium brands to consider include Cross, Waterman, and Parker. Excellence in Craft  We’ve been satisfying discerning customers for over 25 years thanks to the pride we take in both craft and customer service. As stated by recent customer Nancy H: “The pen I purchased, the engraving, and the packaging are all fabulous… I want to spread the word that there are still GREAT companies out there with top-notch customer service and this company is one of them in my book!” If you’re ready to reach for the stars, it’s time to start writing like the stars. Get started today by finding the perfect customizable pen from our premium selection. Featured image: Wikimedia Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

Queen Elizabeth II, Emma Watson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are just a few of the heralded people who have proudly used their Parker Pens for years.  And their faith in this brand is not unwarranted.  Having been creating top-quality pens for over 130 years, Parker Pens has set itself as a reliable brand that caters to all writing styles.  Consequently, no company does it quite like them when it comes to quality craftsmanship.  To elaborate, here’s why the brand stands out: Highly durable Design quality Reliable Variety of styles and models Brand history and legacy Our collection of custom Parker rollerball pens, Parker fountain pens, and Parker ballpoint pens are perfect writing tools for both adults and kids. But how do you select the right Parker pens for your writing needs?  That’s what this guide is all about — helping you select pens that match your style and offer you a unique writing experience. What are the Different Types of Parker Pens? First and foremost, expertise and innovation are shown in every aspect of their products. However, that doesn’t mean every Parker pen you come across best suits your needs or matches your style. Parker pens are available in the following categories: Fountain pens Rollerball pens Ballpoint pens Fountain Pens Among their offerings, a fountain pen from Parker Pens offers the ultimate choice in writing elegance, style, and sophistication. Indeed, every detail is meticulously crafted and carefully designed, ensuring you get the finest writing experience available.  A fountain pen has a nib that allows for customization to best fit your writing style.  They use water based inks and offer a wide variety of ink colors. In fact, the quick-drying ink glides effortlessly on the paper, creating smooth lines.  You’re guaranteed to have your writing looking its best. What more could you want from your Parker fountain pen?  Fountain pens are perfect for anyone looking for: Better ink control A luxurious and expressive writing experience Extended maintenance The Parker IM fountain pen is an ideal choice for incredible performance.  Fountain pen refills are available in refillable converters, ink bottles, and replaceable cartridges.  Don’t forget to personalize your Parker fountain pen, once you have it! Ballpoint Pens On the other hand, Parker ballpoints are crafted with skill and expertise for convenience and everyday use.  They highlight the consistency of quality in a luxury pen.  Ballpoints contain Parker’s Quink ink, which leaves a smooth feel and clear lines. Moreover, users get to enjoy the convenience of a clock-top or twist-action.  Unlike fountain pens, ballpoints have a simple yet practical design for easier use. They also use less ink and last longer.  Choose a ballpoint if you’re looking for: Ease of use Low  maintenance Disposable refills Plus, with a free engraving, the Parker IM Ballpoint Pen is a great choice for a gift. Rollerball Pens Parker rollerball pens feature a small ball in the nib, which directs the ink as you write.  They contain Parker’s Quink ink and provide the same level of smoothness as a fountain pen, while also guaranteeing the constant ink flow and reliability of a ballpoint pen.  As with fountain pens, rollerballs have a wide range of color selections. However, keep in mind that the ink can cause bleeding and feathering issues with certain writing materials.  They are available in fine point and medium.  Choose a rollerball if you’re looking for: Ease of flow  Ease of writing Disposable refills Consistent and neat handwriting From the affordable Parker IM Rollerball Pen to the opulent Parker Premier Rollerball, you can expect a comfortable writing experience with this pen style.  Choosing the Perfect Parker Pen For You: What to Consider Writing Quality The choice of a Parker fountain pen is perfect for the smoothest writing experience possible, and you can customize nib sizes to fit your style. Unlike a fountain pen, ballpoints use oil-based inks that last longer than their water-based counterparts. It’s not uncommon for ink to get on your hands or paper, however, as it can accumulate at the tip of your pen. A rollerball pen uses water-based ink which flows easily and quickly — that means an effortlessly smooth writing experience for you.  Choose a one that suits your writing characteristics and preferences. What's the Best Parker Pen?: The Top 6 These pens offer different styles with several collections of beautifully crafted pens.  Here are the best collections to choose from: 1.) Parker Jotter   These pens feature a slim, all-metal construction that makes them durable and easy to use. Fun and practical, Parker Jotter Pens are perfect for anyone who needs a stylish everyday carry pen.  These have been incredible popular pens for decades, and they're featured in hundreds of films. In the video below, Michael tells you a little bit more about why they're among the best ballpoint pens:   They're also MASSIVELY affordable personalized pens, starting around $21. They come in a variety of finishes and are available in fountain pens, rollerballs, and ballpoints. Experience Affordable Luxury: TRY THE JOTTER TODAY!   2.) Parker IM   The IM ballpoint pen features a click-action that allows you to seamlessly click and write in one motion. This Parker pen design melds functionality, high-end design, and affordability for a mid-level luxury pen that will keep writing for years. A Parker IM is available in a variety of finishes and colors from black and gold to blue and chrome. Pens in this collection are a great option for daily use for professionals since they offer the durability of an everyday carry pen while maintaining the finesse of refinement.  You can find this model as fountain pens, rollerball pens, and ballpoints. Discover Exceptional Performance: TRY THE PARKER IM TODAY!    3.) Parker Urban The Parker Urban exemplifies a new era of design from the current generation of Parker Pen makers.  They offer smoother, cleaner, and more consistent writing — in the bold, curving exterior. Available in ballpoints and rollerball pens. 4.) Parker Sonnet A historic design that has been a champion of Parker for decades, the Parker Sonnet shines in its detailing and unchanging precision.  Fountain pens in this range feature premium finishes and 18-carat gold trims. They are also available in an array of nib sizes.  If you’re looking for a writing tool with beauty, refinement, and craftsmanship, choose from this collection. 5.) Parker 51 Looking for a pen that meets your fine writing needs? The Parker 51 Fountain Pen has got you covered.  The 51 has been a symbol of Parker’s excellence and heritage since 1941. It features superior craftsmanship, offering an exceptionally comfortable and steady writing experience.  With it's iconic hooded nib, the Parker 51 has been coveted as a vintage pen and it's resurgence from Parker itself.  It’s also available in rollerball pens and ballpoints. 6.) Parker Premier The Parker Premier Collection is the pinnacle of Parker Pens in its prestige, design, and fine finishes.  Each of the Premier pens offers only the highest quality of glossy exteriors and 23k gold and premium metals. A collector's item, the Premier is an often cherished pen. Writing types are also available in rollerball pens and ballpoints.  Shop Now: TRY THE PARKER PREMIER TODAY!   How Much Does a Parker Pen Cost? You can find entry level Parker Jotters for under $10 and the Urban for around $20, while the Parker IM and the Parker 51 ranges from the mid-$100 range. High end Parkers like the Parker Premier fountain pen and more luxurious editions of the Sonnet and the 51 can cost hundreds of dollars.  The important thing is to Parker Pen that is in your budget and that you like the look and writing experience of. Get the Perfect Pen for Your Writing Style Today!   In the end, whether you’re in search of a rollerball, a ballpoint, or a fountain pen, Parker pens will bring many years of enjoyment. For over a hundred years, Parker has designed precision writing instruments that have left their mark in history through the impact of their design and the hands that have used them to change the world. Make your mark with a Parker pen of your own. At Dayspring Pens, we have a wide range of style finishes and writing styles to suit any occasion, as well as free custom engraving for your personalized message, name, or corporate logo.  Your search for the best Parker pen doesn’t have to be complicated anymore.  Check out these reviews:  Parker IM Fountain Pen Parker IM Black Gold Rollerball Pen We offer free custom engraving for your personalized message, name, or corporate logo. Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.

Learning how to clean a fountain pen is essential for anyone who appreciates the elegance and precision of this writing tool.  Dirt and dry ink can really ruin your enjoyment of a fountain pen. The first sign that you need to clean your pen is when it skips the strokes while you write. If the pen isn’t running out of ink, then cleaning is necessary. You should clean it often, especially if you didn’t use it for some time. To tell the truth, to clean it will take some effort on your part. Still, when you bear in mind that a fountain pen lasts longer with proper maintenance, then it’s well worth your time. And the process is even enjoyable: it's fun to just tinker and go through all the little parts that make your pen the unique writing experience that it is. Cleaning a fountain pen can be kind of like making coffee in the morning. You go through a number of steps (steps which become second nature after a while), and there's a satisfying feeling at every stage. The most satisfying stage, of course, is when you can just sit down and enjoy the finished product.  And don't be scared: the maintenance of your favorite pen is really simple. Here's a quick step-by-step lesson in pen maintenance: Basic Steps for All Kinds of Fountain Pens There are many different and brands and designs of fountain pens on the market. But the cleaning process for the inside of the pen is basically the same for all of them: Disassemble the pen.  Remove the ink cartridge or empty the converter. Flush the barrel through with room temperature water until it starts running clear. Soak the nib in clean water and leave until the water has become saturated with ink.  Repeat with clean water until the water remains clear and move all parts onto a cloth or paper towel. Let the nib and all other parts dry completely before reassembling the pen. Ideally, you should repeat this process once a week or before using your pen after being out of use.  Related Reading: Types of Fountain Pens Equipment for Cleaning Prepare everything you will need to use for cleaning before starting the process. You’ll need: Paper Towels: They are very handy since they don’t leave any fibers. These towels can soak the excess water very fast. Still, take care to not scratch the nib, as the paper may have a rough surface. Cotton Swabs: Cotton swabs may be useful if you want to clean the barrel. It can easily remove the ink buildup inside of the pen. Before putting the swab into the barrel, soak it in tepid water. Syringe: A syringe is very convenient to use when you need to flush the water through the hard-to-reach parts of the pen. Syringes literally inject water into the pen parts. They are available to buy in any drug store. Bowls: They are needed for soaking the parts of the pen. The most helpful ones are shallow, wide-mouthed (glasses may be useful for this purpose as well). Disassembling a Fountain Pen   Before starting the process of cleaning a fountain pen you need to disassemble it completely: Remove the cap of the pen. Unscrew the pen to separate the nib section from the barrel. If a pen has an ink cartridge, remove it (tip: use a pair of tweezers if you can’t grasp it). Disassemble the nib section. Now, your fountain pen is ready for cleaning. Cleaning of a Cartridge/Converter Fountain Pen The most common fountain pen for everyday use either has a cartridge or a converter placed in the barrel. So, the pen cleaning process may vary depending on the ink reservoir.  If the Pen Has an Ink Cartridge Remove the cartridge from the nib. If it isn’t empty, then put it aside into an upright position. You can put a tape on the top of it to prevent spilling the ink or drying it out. If the ink cartridge is empty, you may replace it with the new one when reassembling the pen. If the Pen Has a Converter A converter is a reusable reservoir. It can be refilled with the bottled ink, so don’t throw it away if it’s empty. You should flush tepid water through the converter to clean it using a syringe or tap. Repeat the process until the water becomes completely clear. Image courtesy Sometimes ink can remain in the converter. In that case, soak it into the bowl with tepid water. Leaving it in the water for at least an hour will thoroughly clean your cartridge converter. After rinsing the converter, leave it on a paper towel turned downwards, and let it air dry. Sometimes, a cotton swab will help you to dry the last bits of moisture before reassembly. Image courtesy Although cleaning the converter and the barrel is a very important part of the process, this is not the end. There is one more important part to the cleaning of a fountain pen.  Shop Now: Luxury Custom Fountain Pens   Cleaning the Nib A nib is the most delicate part of a fountain pen. The ink runs through it onto the paper. So it should be cleaned thoroughly: Image courtesy Run cold water through the nib. Place the nib under the tap or you use a syringe in order to wash it out. If you put the nib under the tap, let it run lightly. Don’t use warm or hot water. distilled water works best. Alcohol may damage the nib, so don't be tempted to use that as a cleaning agent.  Once you’ve rinsed out the nib, put it in a shallow bowl with room temperature water and leave it for 10 minutes. Image courtesy If the nib has some ink remaining after this process, take a syringe and remove it by gently squeezing water through the section. You should repeat this until ink stops coming through with the water. After cleaning the nib, leave it in an upside-down position for at least 20 minutes to dry. Troubleshooting Occasionally there may be further issues with your fountain pen. In that case, it may require a more thorough cleaning. You can make cleaning solutions at home: Try mixing a teaspoon of vinegar or ammonia into a cup of water. Place the nib in the cup and soak it overnight. Dry the nib. Put it on a paper towel in an upright position. Caution: Don't use ammonia if the pen or nib has parts that are made of copper, brass, or aluminum. How to Store a Fountain Pen When you finish cleaning the pen, you should store it properly. Place it in a pen holder or cup vertically. If you have freshly refilled it with ink and leave it lying down, the ink will dry. If you want to store your pen for longer than a week, we recommend that you remove the ink from it and let it dry fully. Place the pen in a case for safe storage. The process described above is applicable to all fountain pens. Still, the frequency of cleaning depends on the pen itself.  Further Reading: How To Store a Fountain Pen Properly   It's not a problem to leave them closed with the nib pointed upwards. Cleaning your fountain pen may be possible even if a cartridge or converter is not completely empty. Just make sure that you follow all the steps above. The following table summarizes common fountain pen problems and how to solve them with various cleaning methods. Issue Solution  Ink residue in feed Soak in pen flush solution and clean with a brush Stubborn stains on barrel Wipe with a cloth dampened with water or mild soap Nib clogging Use a bulb syringe to flush with distilled water Rust on metal parts Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and rust remover   Need refills? We at Dayspring Pens know how frustrating it can be to have your pen let you down at the worst possible moment. Like us, you've probably tried using a pen to write down something important, only to realize that it’s run out of ink. It's frustrating, to say the least, but it's also an easy problem to avoid. Check out our online store with our affordable fountain pen ink refills. Get your backup refills today and ensure you don't run out of ink in that all-important moment. Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

  To choose the right fountain pen ink you need to decide whether format, flow, or color composition matters more to you. First, I will point out the differences between bottled ink and cartridges to help you choose which is best for your needs.  Next, I will talk about what make fountain pen ink flow and how to determine if you want a fast-flowing or slow-flowing ink. Last, I will cover the varieties of ink compositions that make up the color of fountain pen ink. Let's jump right in!   Bottled Inks vs Cartridges: Which One Is Best for My Fountain Pen? There are a ton of pros and cons to both bottled ink or ink cartridges, and ultimately, there is no wrong answer as long as you have the right converter/cartridge in your pen.  But! Preference matters quite a lot in deciding when one will make your experience with your fountain pen better.  And there are so key questions you should ask yourself when deciding: How hands on do I want my fountain pen experience to be? Do I mind ink stains on my fingers? Is convenience and speed of refill important when I'm writing? How much variety do I want in my ink selection? What kind of writing am I doing? So, I am going to break down the strengths and weakness of bottled ink and ink cartridges so you can determine which one will be better for you. Bottled Inks Bottled ink is available in almost any color, sheen, dry-time, scent, shimmer...you name it. It offers a multitude of waterproof and water-resistant choices.  Bottled ink can be more cost-effective since you get more ink and therefore a longer writing time with a bottle than individual cartridges.  Also, bottled ink has less waste since the converter (or even the barrel of the pen) are refilled. There is nothing to dispose of, unlike the cartridge which requires the entire plastic housing to be discarded and replaced when the ink runs out. The downside is that bottled ink users take more time to refill their pen. The ink replacement process can be messy, especially if you’ve not mastered the refilling technique to the style of ink converter that you have. If you’re looking to personalize your writing without limiting your choice of colors, bottled ink is an ideal choice. And why wouldn’t you want to give your writing a heightened sense of purpose and meaning with a personalized pen? Pros Cons Bottled ink offers a wide variety of colors Refilling your pen with ink bottles is more complicated Has many waterproof choices The initial cost is higher Versatility - Bottled ink can be used with most fountain pens Less convenient to travel with an ink bottle Reduces cost long term Ink Cartridges Ink cartridges are built for convenience, being safer to carry when traveling. Moreover, they allow for an easy, mess-free installation and replacement process. Most modern fountain pens are cartridge pens, meaning they take either ink cartridges or ink converters. Each one of these pens usually arrives with 1-2 ink cartridges for you to install and start using your pen right away. One thing that must be taken into account is the size of your ink cartridge. Pens often have proprietary cartridges so before you install, make sure you have the right cartridge.   Bonus: Download our free Ultimate Fountain Pen Refill Guide to have the comprehensive list of fountain pen brands and their correct ink cartridge sizing.   Your color options are limited to the ink cartridge your pen brand offers. These are usually proprietary cartridges, including: Waterman ink refill cartridges Cross ink refill cartridges  Pilot ink refill cartridges Platinum ink refill cartridges Cartridges hold less bottled ink as they are smaller in size.  And that means they are costly in the long run. Pros Cons Quicker and easier to replace Limited color options The initial cost is lower compared to bottled ink Might be more expensive in the long run compared to bottled ink More convenient to travel with Few waterproof choices Doesn’t require additional parts   Choosing the Right Fountain Pen Ink: Your Ink Flow Experience As you may have noticed, bottled ink works well with most pens. The question is, how do you make sure the ink you choose really suits your needs? Here’s what to consider: Paper Quality You probably already know that the paper you use can affect your writing performance. Your ink and style would have no place to shine if there was no paper and finding the best paper for fountain pens is critical.      If you’re writing on ordinary paper, then consider Waterman brand ink refills. These are dryer, flowing inks that work well with personalized journal sets. Dry-Time/Ink Flow Flow, in this case, refers to how well the ink flows through a pen. Whether you decide to choose bottled ink or ink carriage, wetter inks vs. dryer inks will have a major impact on your writing. Wet inks flow quicker through the pen and often dry faster since they soak into the paper more rapidly. Dry inks are thicker. This means you have less chances of bleeding/feathering. They will have slower dry-times since they are more viscous and sit on top of the paper more than soak into it. Calligraphy Tip If you’re using bottled ink and the consistency seems too thin, don’t stress. Try adding a small quantity of gum arabic to thicken your bottled ink. Waterproofness Waterproofness refers to the ability of the ink to be affected or unaffected by water. Most fountain pen inks are far from permanent, meaning water could be your worst enemy when it comes to writing. The solution is to equip yourself with waterproof and water-resistant inks. Waterproofness How your writing will be affected by water Waterproof ink Your writing is virtually unaffected. Allow the paper to dry off and you’re good to go. Highly water-resistant ink You won’t lose what you wrote, though the ink is more likely to smudge slightly. Moderately water-resistant ink Part of your writing won’t survive. You might be able to reconstruct the rest from what’s left, though. Low water-resistant ink You’ll lose a large portion of your writing. Zero water-resistant ink Nothing will survive. You won’t even trace what you wrote. Ink Composition Ink manufacturers use water and colorants to make their products. Consider the unique characteristics of the colorants used when shopping for ink. The options available to you include: Scented Inks These include inks with added scents, like rose, jasmine, and chocolate. They give you a more inspiring writing experience. Dye-based Inks  These are low-maintenance inks and available in the most vibrant colors. They are by far the most common inks for pens. Shimmer Inks They offer beautiful color options and are infused with glitter and sparkle. Shimmer inks are best used with pens with a broad nib. Pigment-based Inks They often develop a ‘flat’ or ‘chalky’ finish upon drying. You can expect fewer color options, but improved permanence compared to dye-based inks. “Bulletproof” Inks Ink manufacturers add a special formula to dye-based inks to make ‘bulletproof’ inks. They are dye-based inks but with the permanence of pigment-based inks. Get The Perfect Ink for Your Fountain Pen Today! With endless ink options to choose from, narrowing it down to the perfect one for your pen can be practically impossible. However, choosing the right ink for your special writing tool doesn’t have to be a stressful process. It can be fun. Think of it as an opportunity to explore. Dayspring Pens are here to help you find personalized fountain pens with ink that suits your writing needs. We offer Cross, Parker, and Waterman brand fountain pen cartridges, bottled ink, and converters along with universal cartridges for easy refilling. Now you have the right information. What fountain pen ink will you choose next? Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

If your dad is anything like mine, the search for a Father’s day gift he doesn’t already have is an impossible task, but finding him a relevant present he’ll use everyday and love doesn’t have to be. I invite you to consider getting him a Father's day gift pen. Personalized pens are practical enough for any dad, no matter what he does, and can be completely unique to him. In this article, we are going to talk about how to choose the right pen for your dad for Father's Day whether he is constantly working on projects around the house or relaxing with a video game. Where to Start with Writing Instruments Now, when I am looking to buy a pen as a gift for someone I always like to start by asking myself a few questions: What kind of pen do I see him using? Is it a ballpoint? A rollerball? A fountain pen?  What is his style? Is he very professional and put together or more comfortable in a pair of jeans and a favorite t-shirt?  How does he use his pen? Is he constantly writing at a table or out and about pulling a pen out of his pocket?  With those questions in mind, let's look at three different "types" of dads, how they use their pens, and what kind of pens we think they will be proud and excited to use this Father's Day. The Dad on the Go This dad is the kind of guy who is constantly moving from task to task. His job may be out on a worksite, visiting different locations, or walking from patient room to patient room.  This dad always has his hands in a project or fixing something around the house. I like to focus on practicality when searching for a Father's day gift pen in this case. He needs a pen that is durable, functional, and easy to carry. Ballpoint pens fit that bill perfectly. They are ready to write at any moment, they dry almost instantly, and they can write on pretty much any surface.  Something with a quick, easy click-action and something that has a smaller profile for portability is super handy if he is constantly taking his pen in and out of is pocket. Durability is also something to consider since the writing instruments will need to stand up to a work day. Further Reading: What are the Best Ballpoint Pen Brands? Great Options to Think About When Buying a Father's Day Gift Pen The Parker Jotter Light weight, slim profiled, and durable as all get out, the Parker Jotter has long been an Everyday Carry Pen because it is the quintessential workhorse pen. Addictive click action and smooth ink refill makes this pen a steal at around $20. The Dayspring Richmond Matte Black Set A set made up of a ballpoint pen and a mechanical pencil, the Richmond is sleek, minimal, and solid. It's a great middle of the road set at around $30. The Waterman Expert Stainless Chrome Trim Ballpoint Durability is a given with the Waterman Expert Stainless Ballpoint. The stainless steel finish could survive a tank and the Waterman quality ballpoint is unparalleled. A luxury pen that can stand up to a hard days work, the Waterman Expert comes in at roughly $140. The Weekday Warrior Dad This dad works his nine to five from his office whether that’s remote at home or in the office building. Maybe he likes to do the morning crossword or keeps a physical planner. Whether crunching numbers or building a website, a majority of his time is at his desk.  Since this father is doing his work at his desk, I find he has a lot of freedom in what he writes with. I like to recommend fountain pens or even rollerballs for this dad. They give a unique, smooth writing experience perfect for jotting down notes and marking up documents.  Look for a fountain pen with a comfortable weighted body allows for longer periods of writing without hand cramping.  You can find a wide range of styles from something modern and architectural to something classical with finesse so you can tailor the Father's day gift pen to his style. Discover More: What Are the Types of Fountain Pens?   Father's Day Gift Pens to Consider The Dayspring Alexandria Fountain Pen An entry level fountain pen, there is nothing to fear with getting this pen. The Alexandria Fountain Pen is simple to load and has a nice medium to large barrel. Each Alexandria comes with a converter and two universal ink cartridges at approximately $35. The Cross ATX Blue Rollerball Architectural and futuristic, the Cross ATX just looks so cool. With gel ink inside the pen, the ATX is one smooth writer from an American company, starting at $80. The Cross Century II Black Fountain Pen A classic pen with all the right details, the Century II is a thing of beauty. The pen inks a fantastic writing line. A memorable addition to the Cross collection, the Century II is around $165. The Father of the Boardroom Somewhere in between the dad on the go and the dad working from his office, this father is a go getter, taking meetings with clients or running his own business. He might be the head of the office or someone who takes their personal style seriously to present who they are and show their respect to their employees. When I think about this type of dad, his writing instruments are an extension of how he dresses and approaches a room. I like to suggest something that is equally practical, but makes a statement in how it appears and how it writes. That can mean a writing set like a pen and pencil that offers flexibility, but I like to think of the rollerball as the best writing style for this dad. Rollerballs have the ready to write practicality of a ballpoint, but the beautifully smooth liquid line of a fountain pen which means they make a signature look impressive.  Handwriting Engraving And speaking of signatures I want to mention my favorite option for personalization: engraved handwriting. Engraved Handwriting puts his signature on the pen making it completely unique to him. His Father's Day gift pen will make a statement that perfectly represents what he does and the documents he has signed. Related Reading: 20 Best Rollerball Pens to Give as Gifts Recommended Father's Day Gift Pens Dayspring Pens Monroe Gold Set 18k gold-plating is a rarity on a pen set and looks fantastic in this classic take on a click pen.       The Dayspring Monroe Gold Set comes with a black ink ballpoint and 0.7mm mechanical pencil with a comfortable ergonomic rubber grip. Waterman Hemisphere Stainless Gold Trim Rollerball Finessed and detailed, the Waterman Hemisphere is a Dayspring Pens staff favorite with the rollerball iteration being the most used pen in the office. Durable and fancy with 23k gold appointments, this pen looks great and writes even better. Parker Premier Rollerball  Parker's highest end luxury pen, the Premier Rollerball is stunning with its high gloss finish and precision gold bandings. This is a boardroom, executive pen through and through. The table below highlights different pens that are fantastic options for Father’s Day gifts:  Pen Type Average Price Range Budget-Friendly Options Premium Collections Ballpoint pen $10 - $150 Parker Jotter, Waterman Expert Montblanc Meisterstück Fountain pen $20 - $500 Dayspring Alexandria Fountain Pen Cross Century II Rollerball pen $15 - $300 Cross ATX Parker Premier Conclusion Those are my tips for finding the best Father’s Day gift pen. Really, finding the perfect pen for Father’s Day is about finding a gift you are excited to give, and I hope asking yourself these questions and thinking about what he does and how he uses his pens has helped you shop. If you have any questions or suggestions that helped you find the perfect pen for Father's Day leave a comment. Daniel Whitehouse is the President and CEO of Dayspring Pens. He uses his expertise with premium writing utensils to create exceptional, intentional products and craft easy-to-understand articles that help both new and experienced users learn more about their writing tools. He lives in Virginia where he and his wife are raising their four children. To learn more about him and his insights about custom engraved gift pens, follow Daniel on LinkedIn.

"None of us can have as many virtues as the fountain pen, or half its cussedness, but we can try." - Mark Twain If you've been experiencing difficulty using a fountain pen, you’re not alone. Writing with a luxury fountain pen requires a little finesse. Like any artistic undertaking, you can learn and fine-tune your skill through research and practice. Congratulations on taking the first step! In this article, you're going to learn how to write with a fountain pen, through three helpful steps: Ensuring you're using the correct fountain pen Holding your fountain pen correctly Getting your writing movement right By the end, you'll have gleaned some of the wisdom on the ol' fountain pen. Let’s get started. Step 1: Ensure You're Using the Correct Fountain Pen  Before you learn how to write with a fountain pen, let's make sure you have the right one in your hand. We'll go over five of the essential factors that you need to consider before choosing a fountain pen. Your Handwriting Style If you've got a small handwriting style with tight-knit strokes, use fine nib fountain pens. Image by Michelle Sandlin on Pinterest Your small, compressed characters will be more legible. Ink flow from the fine nib will be a little on the lesser side, so you won't have to worry about ink smearing on your paper. If you've got big handwriting with bold letters and strokes, you need to use broad nib fountain pens. Image by Esther Kim on Pinterest Broad nibs provide generous ink flow. They are best suited for the large characters and strokes of big handwriting. Whether you have the imperious writing finesse of a Victorian gentleman or you new to writing with a fountain pen, there is a fountain pen out there to suit your handwriting style. Learn More: What Are the Types of Fountain Pens   Size of Your Hand  Choose fountain pens according to your hand's size. This will ensure that said pens feel comfortable in your hand. If you have big hands, get girthier fountain pens. Photo by David Travis on unsplash.com If you have small hands, go for light fountain pens with a narrow body. Photo by Every Angle on unsplash.com  The Weight of The Pen The weight of the pen is crucial to how your handwriting will pan out on your paper. Everyone will have a specific fountain pen weight that is right for them. The weight of a pen determines how well it balances and fits in your hand. Ideally you want a weight that feels comfortable and requires the least amount of effort to maneuver when using a fountain pen. If you have big hands, then a heavier and thicker pen will be your best option. Look at this Waterman Expert Fountain Pen. Its barrel diameter is 15mm thick. If you have small hands, then you need a lighter and less bulky fountain pen. Look at this Waterman Hemisphere Fountain Pen. Its barrel diameter is only 9mm thick. Your Writing Speed Fast writers will appreciate a lightweight fountain pen; one that will allow them to glide along the paper's lines while writing. Also consider trying a quick drying fountain pen ink so you don't smear your pen writing as you go. If you're a slow and deliberate writer, you might find yourself gripping your pen too tight. This will lead to muscle fatigue, and you might also tear through your paper. To remedy this, use a fountain pen with a bit more heft to it.  Further Reading: How Do You Write Neatly and Fast?: 4 Key Tips   The Type of Characters You'll be Writing Western alphabets, like that of the English language, tend to have simple shapes. Take the letter 'i' and 'a', for instance. These simple shapes allow writers' hands to slide over the paper continuously while writing. Especially with the cursive style, there is less lifting of the pen from the page as you use a fountain pen.  A broad nibbed fountain pen is best suited for this cursive writing style. It enhances the legibility of the connected letters and words in sentences. Writing like that of Chinese and Japanese have characters that contain many fine details and much lifting of the pen from the page. Fine nibs are the best suited to bring out these details thanks to the thin ink lines they produce. Step 2: How To Hold Fountain Pens Next, there are three key factors to keep in mind when holding your pen to write: Balance Grip Angle Balance the Pen  One way of ensuring your fountain pen is well balanced in your hand is by matching its weight to the size of your hand. The other way is to use the cap of your fountain pen. Now, there are two camps in the fountain pen cap question. Camp 1: Fountain pen users who use their fountain pen cap to provide more balance when writing. They like the cap 'posted' on top of their pen. Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels  Camp 2: Fountain pen users who feel that their fountain pens are more balanced without the cap. They like their pen caps 'unposted'. Photo by Kyle Johanesson from Pexels You'll know which camp you belong to by writing both with a posted and unposted cap. It won’t take long to work out what feels more comfortable for your hand and writing style. Use the Tripod Grip Hold your pen between your thumb and your index finger. Rest the pen on your middle finger's knuckle. This is the tripod grip. The rest of your fingers should sit on the writing surface. This way, they support the fingers holding your fountain pen while you write. This position allows for smooth ink to flow. When writing, the pen will remain firm in your grip, and your hand will be able to glide fluidly across the paper. Image Source TheSchoolRun videos on Youtube  Hold Your Pen in the 'Sweet Spot'  The 'sweet spot' is the part of your fountain pen nib that allows for the smoothest ink flow to your paper. Ballpoint pens are designed to write from many angles. But writing with a fountain pen requires you to maintain the nib in its ‘sweet spot.’ You'll know when your pen isn't in its sweet spot when it feels scratchy against your writing surface. The ink will not flow well either, and your work will look untidy. To maintain your pen in its sweet spot, hold it at a 45 to 50-degree angle to the paper’s surface. This angle will allow ink to flow unobstructed from the reservoir to the tip of your fountain pen. Step 3: Get Your Writing Movement Right You've learned how to hold your fountain pen. Now we'll look at how you should move your pen on your writing surface. Use Your Lower Arm Muscles While Writing with a fountain pen Most writers use their fingers and flex their wrists to move the fountain pen when they write. This can lead to a hand cramps because the muscles in your hands are relatively small. Solution: write using your lower arm muscles. The muscles in your lower arm are bigger, so they won’t get fatigued as fast as your fingers' smaller muscles. By using your arm to write, you also maintain your fountain pen's posture. You don't rotate the fountain pen as much between your fingers. This ensures your fountain pen nib remains securely in the sweet spot. Don't Press Down Too Hard If you've been using ballpoint pens until now, it's probable that you use quite a bit of pressure when you write. This is because the ink in your ballpoint pen is thicker in comparison to using fountain pen ink. You need more force to displace the ink onto your paper. Fountain pen ink is water-based to allow ink flow from the reservoir to the nib without getting gummy. (A ballpoint pen has oil-based ink). Which means you shouldn't press down too hard when writing. A smidge of pressure on the nib of the fountain pen is all you need to get the ink flowing. Simply allow your arm to guide your pen across the paper. Pressing down too hard on your fountain pen while writing will damage the nib, leaving it aslant. You might also pierce through your paper or leave unsavory blotches of ink on your work. Image by Simply4D tutoriales So far, you've learned how to choose, hold, and write with a fountain pen. Let's now look at where you'll find your perfect fountain pen. Bonus tips for your fountain pen writing As you explore using your fountain pen there are some extra little things that can make the experience even better. Using the right paper Because of the liquid ink, not all paper is made equal when writing with a fountain pen. The thinner the paper, the more trouble you will have with bleeding and feathering (when the ink spreads across the paper instead of sinking in). Try using some paper of different weights and sizes to find what you prefer. Trying out different types of ink You can find fountain pen ink in any color, fast or slow drying, some even change colors as you write or have special shimmers and sheens to them. Related Reading: How to Choose the Right Fountain Pen Ink   Changing out your nib There are fountain pen nibs out there in all shapes and sizes for anything from regular note-taking to calligraphy and drawing. Practice with a worksheet Do a little googling and you can find some really cool, fun worksheets to practice writing with your fountain pen.  Semi regular cleanings Because fountain pens have water-based ink, if they are left uncapped for too long the ink can dry out or leak. All you need to do for this is 1.) keep your fountain pen capped at all times when not in use, and 2.) when swapping out your ink cartridge or refilling your converter do a little clean. Simply run some clean water over the nib and feed if you are using a cartridge, or submerge the nib in a cup of water and draw water in and out of the converter to rinse it. For more detailed instructions, check out my article How to Load and Use a Fountain Pen. Frequently Asked Questions How do you write neatly with a fountain pen? As we've covered a bit in this article, writing with a fountain isn't all that different than writing with any other kind of pen besides having to keep the nib side up. Likewise, fountain pen ink doesn't dry as quick as ballpoint ink, so if you tend to drag your hand across the page, you may accidentally smudge your writing. Writing neatly with a fountain pen might take some practice, but you're really only limited by your own handwriting capacities. If you'd like to improve your handwriting, be sure to check out our article on How to Write Neatly and Fast.  Is it easier to write with a fountain pen? Writing with a fountain pen isn't necessarily easier, but it's also not exponentially more difficult. The only differences are the nib and the ink.  In a lot of ways, writing is easier and more enjoyable than writing with other kinds of pens. Are fountain pens good for note taking? (link note taking article) I find fountain pens to be great for taking notes, and they can help improve your memory recollection because of the inclusion of bodily motion in the act of taking notes.  Be sure to check out our list of The Best Pens for Note Taking. What are the disadvantages of fountain pen? The disadvantages are these: Less ink capacity. Water-based ink can smudge easier. They tend to be a little more expensive than other pens. Some people do not like having to be conscious of the nib's proper position. Get Your Perfect Pen at Dayspring Pens  Dayspring Pens is a dedicated team of professional that specialize in providing you with custom engraved pens for any occasion. We can engrave your name, signature, or logo onto your pen in-house at our shop. Are you looking for a birthday present or professional gifts for your executive team? We'll make sure you get the right luxury pens and personalized customer service to nail the brief. As soon as you order, we'll review your requirements and engrave your new pen with style and precision. We’ll then ship your custom order for free as soon as it's ready. Call us today on 1-888-694-7367 to get personalized help placing your order. As a team, we’re committed to making sure you enjoy the purchasing process, from placing your order to you or your recipient receiving it. We stand out from the rest of the players in the fountain pen market by: Providing you with pens tailored for different purposes Working with different brands to give you more choices Providing free bespoke engraving on every item standard Providing free, fast, and convenient shipping Offering personalized assistance throughout the ordering process Having trouble deciding on the most appropriate gift to get? Reach out, and let’s work together to make the best decision before you buy anything. Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.