Avoiding the Sticky Pen: Ensuring Your Promotional Merch Delivers Results

Promotional merchandise can be a powerful marketing tool—when used correctly. Whether you’re handing out custom pens, tote bags, apparel, or high-end gifts, every item you distribute should serve a purpose: to enhance your brand’s reputation, create goodwill, and keep your business top of mind.

However, not all promotional products achieve these goals. In fact, some can do the exact opposite. I recently had a firsthand experience that reinforced just how important it is to carefully vet every item before distributing it to customers and prospects.

The Sticky Pen: A Cautionary Tale

I ordered a batch of custom pens from a supplier, thinking they would make a great promotional giveaway. When they arrived, I placed them in a bag, planning to test them out later. A few weeks passed before I finally got around to trying one, and that’s when I discovered a serious issue: the material had become extremely sticky.

This wasn’t just a mild tackiness—it was the kind of sticky that left residue on my fingers, making it uncomfortable to hold and unpleasant to use. Now, imagine if I had handed out these pens at a trade show or included them in a client package. The result? People would have either thrown them away immediately or associated my brand with poor quality.

It was a reminder that even a seemingly simple promotional item, like a pen, can backfire if it’s not properly tested beforehand.

Why Promotional Products Matter

Promotional merchandise isn’t just about giving people free stuff—it’s a strategic marketing tool. The right product can:

Increase brand awareness
Build customer loyalty
Keep your business top of mind
Create a sense of goodwill
Generate new leads and referrals

On the other hand, a poor-quality giveaway can send the wrong message. It tells your audience that you didn’t put much thought into the product, or worse, that your brand doesn’t prioritize quality. That’s the last impression you want to leave.

How to Ensure Your Promotional Products Deliver Results

To avoid issues like the sticky pen, here are some key steps you should take when choosing and distributing promotional merchandise.

1. Always Test Your Merchandise Before Ordering in Bulk

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is assuming that because an item looks good in pictures or worked well in a past order, it will always meet expectations. The reality is that manufacturers sometimes change materials, suppliers switch production methods, and even reputable vendors can have quality control issues.

Before placing a large order, always request a sample and test it yourself. Consider:

Material durability: Will the product last, or will it degrade over time?
Usability: Is it comfortable and practical for everyday use?
Brand visibility: Will your logo remain intact, or will it fade, scratch off, or wear away quickly?

A sample allows you to catch any potential issues before you invest in a large batch of items that could ultimately harm your brand’s image.

2. Be Mindful of Material Choices

Certain materials may seem appealing at first but can have unexpected drawbacks. The sticky pen issue, for example, was likely caused by a rubberized coating that broke down over time. Other material-related concerns to watch for include:

Cheap plastic that cracks or feels flimsy
Low-quality fabrics that shrink, fade, or tear easily
Metal items that rust or tarnish
Adhesives that weaken and cause logos or labels to peel off

Whenever possible, choose high-quality materials that will stand the test of time. A well-made promotional item will continue to represent your brand positively long after the recipient receives it.

3. Consider the End User’s Experience

It’s easy to get caught up in choosing an item that looks good, but you also need to think about how it will be used. Ask yourself:

Is this item something people will actually want?
Does it provide real value, or will it just get tossed?
Is it comfortable and enjoyable to use?
Does it align with my audience’s needs and preferences?

A pen, for instance, is a practical item that many people appreciate. But if the ink smudges, the grip is uncomfortable, or—like in my case—the material degrades, then it’s no longer a useful giveaway.

4. Choose Items That Align with Your Brand Image

Your promotional products should reflect your business’s values and reputation. If you position yourself as a premium brand, for example, handing out cheap, poorly made items contradicts that message. On the other hand, high-quality, thoughtfully chosen merchandise reinforces your brand’s credibility.

For instance:

A fitness brand might give away high-quality water bottles or resistance bands.
A tech company might offer custom power banks or wireless charging pads.
A hospitality business might provide luxury pens or custom-branded leather notebooks.

The key is to ensure that your promotional merchandise aligns with your brand identity and delivers a positive user experience.

5. Don’t Just Follow Trends—Focus on Longevity

Trendy promotional items might generate excitement in the short term, but if they aren’t built to last, they won’t serve your marketing goals effectively. Instead of chasing the latest fad, consider investing in products that have long-term utility.

For example:

A durable tote bag will be used repeatedly, keeping your brand visible for years.
A high-quality notebook will remain on a customer’s desk for an extended period.
A premium coffee mug can become a daily staple in someone’s routine.

By choosing items with staying power, you increase the likelihood that your brand remains top of mind.

The Cost of Cutting Corners

It might be tempting to go for the cheapest option when ordering promotional products, especially when ordering in bulk. However, cutting corners on quality can ultimately cost you more in lost brand credibility, wasted money, and missed opportunities.

Think about it: If a customer receives a cheap, faulty, or unpleasant item, they’re not just going to throw it away—they might also associate that negative experience with your brand. Worse, they could tell others about it, damaging your reputation even further.

Investing in quality doesn’t always mean spending significantly more. Sometimes, it’s just about making smarter choices—selecting the right materials, testing products in advance, and choosing suppliers that prioritize durability and user experience.

Final Thoughts: Make Every Giveaway Count

Promotional merchandise is a powerful marketing tool—but only if it’s done right. A well-chosen giveaway can strengthen customer relationships, enhance brand recognition, and keep your business top of mind. But a poorly made or defective item can have the opposite effect, leading to wasted resources and potential reputational damage.

To avoid these pitfalls:

Always test samples before placing large orders.
Choose materials that will last and maintain their integrity.
Prioritize user experience—make sure items are practical and enjoyable to use.
Align your promotional products with your brand identity.
Invest in quality over cheap, short-term solutions.

By taking these steps, you’ll ensure that your promotional merchandise serves its purpose: making a lasting, positive impression on your customers and prospects. After all, no one wants to write with a sticky pen.

Ask An Expert/Request a Quote

With so many options available, choosing the right branded promotional item can be overwhelming. Since 2016, we, at Florida Custom Merch, have helped numerous businesses achieve success through the use of custom branded promotional merchandise. Hiring an expert can help you select the perfect item, save time and money, and, most importantly, maximize your results.

Thank you for reading! We hope you found this article helpful!

Google Customer Rating