The promo products category is the one and only advertising medium that allows people to get in touch—literally—with a company brand, logo, or message. That’s why unique tactile experiences like product finishes can add an extra level of differentiation from one promo product to the next, for a truly one-of-a-kind advertising experience. From texturized to polished to satin, there are a number of product finishes that you can choose from when selecting promotional products, including those found on cost-effective and high-use items like pens.
While each product finish offers its own set of benefits and appeal, there is a product finish that has been getting a lot of attention lately. It tends to stand out a bit more, turn heads a little more often, and make people ask time and again: “Why does this product feel so different?”
We’re talking about the increasingly popular soft-touch rubberized finish that can be found on dozens of plastic and metal writing instruments.
What Creates a Soft-Touch Pen
After product components are molded, the pen is painted or electroplated for its desired product color. Next, a clear soft-touch rubberized spray is applied only to those parts of the pen or item that is intended to have a soft-touch effect. This process allows for a combination of textures and finishes to be presented on the same item.
The soft-touch finish offers a whole new level of creativity in product design, by providing a grip-like texture to a hard surface material without the need of manufacturing a second grip made from a silicone or rubber.
Customizing Soft-Touch Products
What’s great about soft-touch products is that regardless of the starting material (plastic or metal), products can be customized through a variety of decoration processes. From silkscreen to laser engraving to full-color imprints, you and your customers have a number of options to choose from when it comes to selecting the soft-touch product and decoration method that’s right for them. And with the wide success of soft-touch rubberized writing instruments, it’s no surprise that this product feature can be found in more product categories like mini light-ups and flashlight keyrings, and has even been incorporated into ‘softy’ gift sets.
The Soft-Touch Effect
A soft-touch product finish not only provides a soft-feel or rubberized texture when physically held, but it also affects how the item reflects light and is visualized, giving it a significantly softer, matte appearance.
“I advise my clients to always look for things that make your promo [product] different. Which is especially important for trade shows where there could be 10 booths offering a similar giveaway.” –Len M.
Virtual Design Boards
If you’re interested in seeing how a customer’s artwork would look on a soft-touch rubberized product, email our team at sales@goldstarpens.com and request a free virtual mock-up.
