People who do a considerable amount of writing or drawing may enjoy some of the benefits on investing in high quality writing instruments. These instruments include pencils, fountain pens, calligraphy pens, roller pens and ballpoint pens. Even if you aren't interested in purchasing these writing tools for your own use, you should consider giving them out to employees as recognition gifts, to business contacts or to preferred customers.

Before purchasing these fine writing instruments, you will have to consider all of the costs associated with them. Check out the following suggestions to help you estimate writing instruments pricing and costs associated with owning these instruments:

1. Budget for the initial cost of the writing instruments.

2. Consider the long term commitment of having to purchase refills for the writing instrument.

3. Invest in specialized writing tools.

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Consider the cost of quality writing instruments

Many quality writing instruments are refillable. While these items may cost more than disposable pens and pencils, you won't have to worry about the quality and smoothness of the ink when you write. This fact alone may make them worth the investment if you sign a lot of documents, write letters or other correspondence longhand or simply want to have a good quality pen or pencil.

I recommend: Fahrney's Pens is a fine writing instruments retailer. This store sells pens priced from $50 up to $2,000. Bittner sells high quality writing instruments. You can expect to pay around $40 for a basic refillable pencil. Prices go higher than $500 for some writing instruments.

Plan to purchase refills for the writing tools

Once you find a refillable writing instrument that you enjoy writing with, you will need to find refills for it. The prices for these refills depend upon the brand, the color and the number of refills you need. Another factor that will determine how much you need to budget for refills is how often you use the ink pen or pencil.

I recommend: Paradise Pen sells refills for most high quality writing tools. You can expect to pay at least $20 for ink refills. Some refills are priced at $75 or more. Swisher Pens sells refills for pens and pencils. This company also sells certain replacement parts for high end writing pens and pencils. You can expect to pay from $2 to $10 for replacement led, anywhere from $20 up to over $100 for replacement parts, and under $200 for replacement tools and guides.

Splurge on a specialty writing instrument

For some professionals, such as calligraphers, a specialized writing instrument is necessary. However, writers and other professionals who frequently use writing instruments may decide to purchase a specialized writing instrument. In some cases, such as when using a fountain pen, you must remember that these items are made for a single user because the style of user shapes the nib, or point.

I recommend: Art Brown offers numerous engraved writing pens sets. Prices on these customized writing instruments sets ranges from around $100 to $800. Colorado Pen Direct sells a varied selection of pens. Some of the basic pens cost under $20. High tech pens and fountain pens can cost more than $400. This company also offers protective cases for the writing devices. These cases start at around $25 for a single pen or $55 for a 20 pen case.

Fine writing instruments make every writer feel special. You can use fine writing pens for corporate gifts and promotional items as well as for use by your employees. When we think of fine writing instruments, we think of important, highly paid executives, but employees and customers appreciate receiving a nice pen as a gift.

There are many types of pens: roller balls, fountain, ballpoints and gel pens. There’s a price range for every budget, and specialty pens are a necessary tool for drafters, architects, engineers and artists. Give engraved writing instruments as gifts to retiring employees or as acknowledgments of employment anniversaries of employees in your firm. Imprint pens with the corporate logo and use them as promotional giveaways.

Types of pens:

1. The fountain pen is a favorite with calligraphers, but it requires extra patience and a practiced hand.
2. The ballpoint pen is good for everyday writing, requiring no maintenance and having a good supply of ink.
3. The fiber or felt tip gives a smooth feel against the paper and has fast-drying ink.
4. The roller ball pen gives the smooth feel of liquid ink without the trouble of a fountain pen, but the ink cartridges run out quicker.
5. Gel ink pens provide a variety of rich colors, but the pens dry out quickly due to the type of ink used.

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Purchase writing devices for everyday use or for corporate gifts

The sheer number of different styles and manufacturers of pens can be overwhelming, but a pen is a smart gift and a necessary tool for business people. Keep extra pens in your desk so you have one on hand to lend to a visitor.

I recommend: Browse by manufacturer or price range at Art Brown. Choose from a vast array of every kind of pen, including corporate pens, retractable pens, inexpensive pens and fancy pens, at PensXpress. Purchase fine personalized pens and other gifts for serious readers and writers at Levenger.

Choose fine writing tools as a perfect gift

Pens are available at all kinds of stores, but it takes extra effort to purchase fine writing tools. Typically, high-end writing pens aren't available at your local office supply store.

I recommend: Shop for many brands of fine writing instruments, including Cartier, Faber-Castell, Parker and Waterman, at Fahrney's Pens, Bittner and Paradise Pen.

Give customized writing instruments as personal or corporate gifts

There's something special about the barrel of a fine writing instrument engraved with its owner's name or initials. Engrave a pen with your company name and give it as a corporate gift.

I recommend: Purchase a fine engraved writing instrument from Montblanc. Order personalized writing pens and other corporate gifts from Gifts for Professionals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When giving writing devices to a left-handed person, choose a pen that has fast drying ink. Slow drying ink smears as the hand holding their pen moves over words just written.
• •  Personalize a typewritten letter with a short hand-written note and signature at the bottom.

Most people use some sort of writing instrument every day. Of course, everyone knows that pens and pencils are two types of writing instruments. However, there are different types of each of these.

Before you try to sort through the different writing instruments types and styles, you have to evaluate your company's exact needs. Consider the following points to help you choose the writing tools that best fit your company's needs:

1. Go disposable for mass marketing campaigns or daily use by your employees.

2. Consider purchasing refillable writing instruments for your preferred customers, business contacts or as employee appreciation gifts.

3. Opt for specialized writing tools for those who need them in your organization.

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Look at disposable writing instruments

Disposable writing instruments are generally less expensive than refillable pens and pencils. However, when you order disposable writing tools, you may find that the ink quality is less than that of a refillable ink pen. One good thing about disposable pens is that they are a good marketing tool. Customizing promotional ink pens and pencils with your company's slogan, logo or message is fairly inexpensive.

I recommend: Swisher Pens sells disposable and refillable ink pens, including gel ink. This company offers fast shipping and discounts on orders meeting certain requirements. DiscountPens.com sells personalized writing instruments. This company offers volume discounts depending on the total number of each customized writing instruments you purchase.

Upgrade to refillable writing instruments

Refillable writing instruments are a step above their disposable counterparts. These writing tools usually have a slightly better quality of ink or lead. Once the insert runs out of ink, the user can simply insert a refill and keep the outer portion of the pen or pencil. Consider having some refillable pens customized with your company information. You can then give these out as a marketing/thank you tool to business contacts.

I recommend: Bittner sells thousands of styles of fine writing instruments. Fountain pens, ballpoint pens, roller pens and calligraphy pens can all be found at this store. Dayspring Pen Shop offers numerous executive pens that can be engraved with your logo, company name, slogan or anything you desire. Most of the writing instrument models in the Executive pens category are refillable.

Invest in specialized writing tools

Fountain pens are one type of specialty pen. With these, you must choose the nib size, or point, that works best for you. The smaller your handwriting, the smaller the nib should be. Calligraphy pens are another type of specialized writing instrument. Regardless of the type of specialized writing tools you purchase, it is important to remember that these are made to accommodate a single user.

I recommend: Art Brown Pens sells a varied selection of high end writing pens, including fountain pens and roller ball pens. Colorado Pen Direct sells numerous types of pens, including calligraphy pens and fountain pens. This company offers a print catalogue and accessories for the writing devices, such as cases.

Writing instruments are basic items that we use every day to jot down ideas or to draw, but most people simply use whatever is at hand without really considering the wide range of implements that are available. Whether you want to create art or just write a note, exploring writing instruments key terms allows you to understand the options available to you. Learn writing instruments key terms today and expand your art or your writing!

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Calligraphy pens

Calligraphy pens are used to create elegant, script-style writing. Many calligraphy pens are dip pens, which means that they have to be dipped into ink. Some modern pens, however, have a chamber that allows ink to flow smoothly to the nib.

I recommend: Jacksonville State University has a detailed examination of calligraphy pens, and includes information about various types of calligraphy pens.

Pencils

Pencils are writing instruments that create pigment using a graphite core or stick. Pencils can be wooden or mechanical. These writing instruments are often used when erasable writing is needed.

I recommend: Pencils.com has a history of the pencil, pictures of pencils and detailed information about what pencils are and how they are made.

Markers

Markers are felt-tipped pens that use ink to allow users to draw and write. Markers come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Markers often create a bolder and brighter line than pens and pencils, which is why they are often used for headlines and to mark labels.

I recommend: Artist Debby Honeycutt describes various types of markers, as well as their uses.

Ballpoint pens

Ballpoint pens are one of the most common types of writing instruments. This pen has a viscous ink in a chamber and a nib that includes a tiny metal ball. When this ball is pressed onto a surface, the ink is distributed over the surface, allowing for writing or drawing. Ballpoint pens usually are considered disposable, although some pens can be refilled.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks has a detailed, illustrated guide to ballpoint pens that includes explanations of how ballpoint pens are made and how they work.

Fountain pens

Fountain pens consist of a nib, an ink chamber and a casing. The ink flows from the chamber to the nib, allowing the user to write. Fountain pens can be refilled with ink and reused.

I recommend: WiseGEEK has a comprehensive explanation of fountain pens that includes a brief look at the pen's history.

Braille stylus

A braille stylus is used to create braille print. The stylus is used to punch small holes that can be read by hand. The stylus is usually used in conjunction with a slate, on which a user can hold a piece of paper while using the stylus.

I recommend: Braille Plus has a definition and a picture of a brailled stylus.