
Novelty pens take everyday writing and turn it into something worth talking about. Whether shaped like your product, styled with a quirky twist, or designed to spark a smile, they’re a simple way to make your brand unforgettable. More than just conversation starters, they’re practical tools people actually use, meaning your logo gets seen over and over again. Perfect for events, giveaways, retail, or part of a bigger merchandise set, novelty pens combine fun with function, keeping your brand in people’s hands and minds long after they first receive them.
Explore productsNovelty pens take promotional merchandise to another level by combining practicality with a dose of fun, personality, and memorability. They are the kind of giveaway people don’t just use once and forget, they become conversation starters, desk ornaments, and little reminders of the brand that gave them away. Whether shaped like a syringe for a healthcare event, a miniature hammer for a construction trade show, or a quirky character that makes people smile, novelty pens break the mould of standard stationery and make your brand instantly more approachable.
The beauty of novelty pens lies in their ability to connect emotionally. A clever design or humorous twist can make a pen feel like more than just a writing tool, it becomes a keepsake. This emotional connection can be powerful in marketing because it encourages repeated use and boosts the chances of your logo being remembered long after the event or campaign ends. The tactile, visual, and often playful nature of novelty pens makes them ideal for brands wanting to inject energy and creativity into their merchandise strategy.
Novelty pens can be customised in almost endless ways. From vibrant colours to intricate moulded shapes, the design options allow you to tie the pen closely to your brand message or industry. A travel company might choose pens shaped like airplanes, a food brand might opt for fruit-themed designs, and a tech company could use futuristic metallic finishes to complement their image. With careful planning, your novelty pen can do more than just write, it can tell a story about who you are as a business.
In terms of distribution, novelty pens thrive in busy, high-traffic environments where you want to stand out. They are perfect for exhibitions, conferences, and trade shows where attendees are handed hundreds of flyers and leaflets that rarely make it home. A quirky, well-made novelty pen cuts through the noise and makes people stop, smile, and engage. They also work brilliantly in direct mail campaigns, acting as a surprise that entices recipients to pay attention to the rest of your message.
Quality still matters, even with fun designs. While novelty pens are often playful, they should also be durable and write smoothly to ensure ongoing use. At BulkBranded, we source novelty pens that balance fun aesthetics with reliable performance so your brand doesn’t end up associated with something that breaks or stops working after a week. We also make sure the branding area is optimised so your logo, tagline, or campaign message is clearly visible without compromising the design.
Pairing novelty pens with other promotional items can also elevate their impact. Imagine a novelty pen in the shape of a coffee cup paired with a branded travel mug, or a pen shaped like a plane included with a travel bag giveaway. This kind of themed merchandising builds a consistent story across different touchpoints and helps embed your brand in the minds of your audience.
When used strategically, novelty pens can achieve what more traditional branded pens sometimes can’t, they get noticed, kept, and talked about. They are proof that a small, relatively inexpensive item can punch far above its weight in terms of memorability and engagement.
One of the reasons novelty pens are so effective is that they adapt to almost any industry. We’ve seen healthcare providers hand out syringe-shaped pens during flu awareness drives, with the brand logo neatly printed along the barrel. Not only were they fun, but they also reinforced the health-related message in a way that a standard ballpoint never could.
Similarly, a popular beverage company used a pen shaped like their signature bottle at a summer festival. It was paired with a free branded travel mug from our promotional travel mugs range, creating a strong link between the giveaway and the product they wanted people to remember. The result? Attendees were posting pictures of their novelty pens online, giving the brand extra exposure long after the event ended.
Novelty pens rarely work in isolation. They shine brightest when they’re part of a coordinated merchandise plan that ties together multiple branded items. For example, a tech startup could launch an event pack that includes a futuristic stylus-style novelty pen, a promotional power bank for keeping devices charged, and a slim promotional laptop bag for storing it all.
This approach keeps your branding consistent while offering practical value. Each product serves a different purpose in the customer’s daily life, creating more touchpoints and reinforcing your message in varied ways.
Humour can be a powerful differentiator, especially in industries that are often perceived as serious or dull. Handing out a novelty pen at a corporate event is a small but effective way to inject personality into your brand. This doesn’t mean going for the silliest option you can find, but choosing something that aligns with your brand tone.
A law firm we worked with selected a novelty pen shaped like a gavel. They handed them out alongside their branded notepads and a quality branded umbrella at a networking conference. It broke the ice in conversations and made them stand out in a sea of forgettable business cards.
There’s a growing demand for eco-friendly merchandise, and novelty pens are no exception. Many of our designs are now available in recycled plastic or sustainably sourced materials like bamboo. These options allow you to keep the fun factor while still making an environmentally responsible choice.
Some brands go further by combining eco novelty pens with other sustainable products such as jute tote bags or refillable drinkware. A retail brand we supplied recently paired their bamboo novelty pens with reusable metal bottles from our promotional bottles category, sending a clear message about their commitment to reducing single-use plastics.
At a busy trade show, attendees can walk away with dozens of branded pens from different companies. The reason novelty pens outperform is simple — they’re the one people talk about later. A quirky design gives your sales team a natural opening line (“Here’s a pen shaped like our flagship product — it even writes better than it looks!”) and makes your stand memorable.
To maximise ROI, pair the giveaway with an interactive element. For example, if you’re in the hospitality sector, you could offer a quick game or quiz at your booth where the novelty pen is the participation prize. Add a QR code to the pen’s barrel linking back to your website, so every use becomes an opportunity for engagement.
Novelty pens don’t have to be given out loose. Presenting them in a branded gift box or alongside another useful product can significantly increase their perceived value. One client in the finance industry paired their novelty pen with a custom-printed promotional hoodie as part of an employee appreciation pack. This combination made the gift feel thoughtful and premium rather than just another throwaway freebie.
There’s a misconception that novelty pens are only for cheap, light-hearted promotions. In reality, the novelty factor can also work in premium markets if executed tastefully. For example, a luxury travel brand we worked with created a limited-edition pen shaped like a miniature suitcase. It was made from metal, came in a velvet-lined box, and was gifted exclusively to top-tier clients who booked a high-value package. This kind of premium novelty reinforces exclusivity while still tapping into the playful appeal that makes these products memorable.
Yes, most of the time. The more you order, the better the price per unit — that’s kind of the whole idea behind BulkBranded. That said, pricing can depend on the product, the complexity of branding, and honestly, just the timing. If you’re placing a big order, it’s always worth getting in touch for a custom quote.
Usually, yes. We can often send out a plain sample so you can get a feel for the quality. Branded samples are sometimes possible too, though they might come with a small fee, mainly to cover setup and production. It’s best to ask; we’ll let you know what’s doable.
It varies. Some products are super quick, a few days, while others take a bit longer depending on customisation and stock. We’ll always aim to give you a realistic timeline, not just the fastest one. If you’ve got a deadline (especially a tight one), let us know up front so we can see what’s possible.
No problem. If you’ve got a rough idea or just some text, we can help tidy it up or recreate it in a print-ready format. We’re used to this. A lot of clients don’t have perfect files to begin with. We’ll work with what you’ve got.
Yes, and we’re trying to expand that range all the time. From recycled notebooks to reusable drinkware, there are some solid sustainable choices — though, to be honest, not every product has an eco version yet. We’ll show you what’s available.
For a lot of items, yes — especially clothing or bags. You can often mix sizes or colours in one order, as long as the branding stays the same across all of them. Just note that some colour mixes might require a bit more time or cost slightly more.
Not everything, no. Some items are branded by us directly, while others go through trusted partners — it depends on the product and print method. Either way, we stay involved through the whole process and quality-check everything before it reaches you.
Mistakes are rare, but they can happen. If something’s not right — misprint, wrong item, damaged in transit — just get in touch. We’ll sort it out. We know how important branded merchandise is for events, launches, or just your reputation in general, so we don’t take it lightly.
Mostly within the UK, but we can sometimes arrange international shipping if needed. It depends on the destination and the type of product. Best to ask before ordering so we can give you accurate info and costs.
Absolutely. That’s kind of what we’re here for. If you’re stuck between a few options or don’t know what would suit your brand best, just drop us a message. We’ll walk you through it — product suggestions, mockups, whatever you need.

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