ThePenWorks.com Blog

Laban Pens

2008-05-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce we are now carrying Laban pens. Manufactured in Taiwan, Laban pens are the recipients of numerous awards including the 'Best writing Instrument of 2004' by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. By handling and engraving fine pens on a daily basis we have come to know quality - and the pens by Laban are solidly in this category, even to the extent that we will say, dollar for dollar, Laban pens will give you the most for your money in whichever price range you are in.

If it is a presentation pen and you need to make an impression, Laban has the finest quality boxes for each of their pens - definitely a step above.

Thank you notes for business

2008-02-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Besides their social uses, thank-you notes can be important business tools. When you are invited to large events, where your face and business card may get lost in the shuffle, try a follow up with a handwritten note - include your business card. The choice of stationery depends on the type of note. More formal letters, such as those for business, should use traditional stationery in white, cream or gray.

Why we write...

2007-12-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

Ever stumble across an old note or letter from an old friend, relation or long-lost love? What you may discover is much more than simply what the words say. Yes, words have meanings, but often handwritten messages add both emotion and personality. Your mind's eye might picture the person, revive the social discourse or swim in the relationship you had then. If you are lucky enough to still have that person in your world, the thoughts you have may extend to "the now". if by chance they are gone from your life, that note readily brings them back - even if just for the moment. Would that letter or note be the same if it were typed or an email? Hardly!

Pick up a pen and sketch that note, letter, thought or reminder, and the reader will see more than words alone.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Handwritten

2007-11-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Do you want to do something 'Nice' for that someone 'Special'? Get your hands on some stationary and a fine pen and write them a little note - perhaps add a smiley face or some xx's and oo's. Think about it, wouldn't you like to get one? (beats an e-mail everytime)

Ink Wells and Fountain Pens

2007-11-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

You do not need an ink well to fill your fountain pen if you are using bottled ink, the bottles the ink comes in are designed to be accessed with a fountain pen. However, an attractive ink well on your desk can be most impressive.

Pen Ambassadors

2007-10-31T09:40:00.001-07:00

Two notable pen fans are actor Nicolas Cage and Welsh opera phenom Katherine Jenkins who commonly use Montblanc pens - we would recommend the Waterman Exception for Montblanc users.

Engraving Pens

2007-10-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to engrave (or mark) pens, the most common being laser engraving or marking, which is normally done on low cost production pens that have a special coating. This coating turns color when the hot laser comes in contact with it. A laser engraver is also good for marking the barrel of a plastic pen because of the high heat generated. And finally you can use a laser to mark a brass or sterling silver pen but it must be done with a spray on coating which changes to a black (or sometimes gold) lettering when hit by the laser.

Another high volume personalizing method is imprinting using a pad printer or screenprinting, this prints the letters on the surface of the pen using inks and is especially good for logos or designer names.

But, is a $150 pen with someones name printed on the surface in ink what you wish to give as a gift? The perceived value would drop instamatically!

Better quality name brand pens are not designed for laser engraving, they do not have coatings or plastic barrels and most people do not want even a $50 pen marked with BLACK or even GOLD letters (tacky!).

To engrave pens at this level you need to precisely cut your names and letters into the surface of the pen using a rotary engraver (same as watches or jewelry) - holding the pens immovable and engraving them indelibly with a special name or phrase - turning a nice pen into a 'Custom' pen and adding value to your gift.

The Great Communicator

2007-10-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

There was a reason President Ronald Reagan chose a handwritten note to inform the nation of his affliction with Alzheimer's disease. Known as the great communicator, Reagan knew a handwritten letter was the most powerful form of communication. No other medium is as far-reaching or long-lasting.
It is our responsibility as pen lovers to keep the tradition of letter writing alive.

Fountain Pen Ad From Long Ago

2007-10-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

A magazine ad for the Parker Duofold fountain pen, circa 1920's, reads:

It whets a man's appetite for writing -
And gives him the speed and character in penmanship that lead to a bigger pay check!

Ah! Would such a pen do as much for us today?

What Women Want In Pens

2007-10-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

Women love pens - they like that they come in a variety of styles and colors, they serve a purpose in our everyday lives, and they are great multitaskers - just like today's busy woman. Some pens are pure workhorses and are the ones to choose for specific tasks, such as letter writing, journaling or signings. Others are fashion pieces - the ones to complement a specific outfit, occasion or mood. Still others are meant just as wonderfull additions to a collection.
While many pens are designed for use by both genders, today's pen manufacturers have their ear to the ground, listening to what woman want and need from their pens. Expensive or affordable - fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint or pencil - a great pen is the perfect accessory, keepsake or collectible.

Hello! Some news on the trends for the fountain pen.

2007-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

In this age of cell phones, text messages and computer keyboards, one Scottish school has returned to basics. It's teaching youngsters the neglected art of writing with a fountain pen.

"The pens improve the quality of work because they force the children to take care, and better work improves self-esteem," principal Bryan Lewis said. "Proper handwriting is as relevant today as it ever has been." Students as young as 7 have been instructed to forgo their ball point pens and get to grips with its more artful predecessor. By the time they reach grade five, at age 9, they are expected to write mainly with fountain pens. At an English class recently, students worked at perfecting a skill that is under threat from the onset of e-mail — the art of writing a letter by hand. Each child's work was meticulous and clearly presented in the upright, graceful strokes of a fountain pen. Ten-year-old Cailean Gall has been using fountain pens in class for two years. It took the keen soccer player one month to master the pen and, like all pupils at the school, still has regular handwriting lessons. "At the start it was hard because I kept smudging, but you get used to it," he said.

" Parent Susan Garlick supports the school and believes the use of fountain pens has improved the work of her daughter Elisabeth, an 11-year-old in grade 7. "Her handwriting is beautiful," Garlick said. Some people in wealthy nations argue that handwriting is becoming less important because of the growing use of cell phone text messaging and typing on computers, but the school disagrees. In August, for example, examiners at the Scottish Qualifications Agency complained they had difficulty deciphering the scrawl of many students on exam papers used to determine admission to universities. "We talk of the paperless office and the paperless world, but this is not true," Lewis said. "You still need to have proper handwriting skills."