Ah, the age-old war, bigger than rock, paper, scissors. It’s pencils vs pens! The biggest advantage to company logo pencils over pens is the simple idea that pencil marks can be erased, while pen is more permanent. In certain professions, that’s all it takes for pencils to beat out pens.
Professions Where Pencils Outperform Pens
Personalized pencils are especially valuable in certain professions because they match the needs of that profession. A few such professions include:
- Architects
Architects use pencils to sketch their initial thoughts and whenever they make mistakes, they can correct and reconfigure things. Pencils also offer different line widths, depending on the pencil. Once a width is chosen, it remains consistent.
- Artists
Pencil drawings allow an artist to give an authentic view that can be smudged for shading and blending.
- Mathematicians
Who doesn’t make mistakes in math? When complex calculations are in play, trial and error is key. Instead of starting over, mathematicians can simply erase the mistake and move on from there.
- Students
Students are often required to use pencils for standardized tests so machines can grade them. But they also often use them in everyday work, again, so any mistakes can be erased and corrected.

The Practical Edge: What Pens Can’t Match
Pencils are still standard in the classroom over pens. The New York Times recently ranked the top pencils for schoolwork. While pens are consistent in their coloring, they can’t give you the variety pencils can. They also can’t be smeared around as much as pencils, which is the key to some professions.
Pencils in a Digital Age
We live in a digital world where more people type on keyboards that labor over paper. But there professional writing tools will always be necessary. Pencils are old school classics that will never go out of style.
If you want promotional items for your company, for example, branded pencils will always work. Pencils are always going to be useful in the home, in offices, in classrooms, and in a variety of other locations.
Beyond Function: The Cultural and Environmental Value
When was the last time you saw a pencil and thought it was a culture item? Maybe you haven’t, but it is just that! When you see a yellow, number 2 pencil, it takes you back to your school days. They are a symbol of learning and creativity.
The Washington Post says that even though we call the interior of pencils “lead,” they were never actually made with lead, but rather a form of carbon called graphite. Pencils are sustainable because they are made from renewable resources, depending on the pencil.
A Balanced View: When Pens Do Have the Upper Hand
While pencils win in certain professional realms, there’s still a home for pens. Here are a few places where pens win the war:
- Signatures
When you sign a document, it’s important that the signature is permanent, which means signing in pen. It helps the document have authenticity. Whether it’s a financial document or a check, signatures need to be in pen.
- No Smudges
If you don’t want smudges, whether you’re writing notes in a meeting or directions for a colleague, pens win. They don’t get on your hand and they don’t smear on paper.
- Journaling
Some people prefer to journal in pen because pen lasts longer whereas pencil writing may fade as years go by.
- Professionalism
In many business settings, pen usage is standard because it looks more professional when filling out forms, writing quotes for clients, or for any other need.
- For High-Visibility
Whether you are writing an address on an envelope or labeling a box, a pen’s ink shows up better than pencil marks.
In conclusion
Professional writing tools vary based on the profession, but rest assured if you decide to get promotional pencils from Save Your Ink, there are plenty of places where those pencils will come in handy. Pencils are used exclusively in certain professions and are often used in homes as well. Promotional pencils last a long time and keep your company’s brand in customers’ hands. Pens work well in certain situations and take the lead from pencils when permanency and professionalism are important, but pencils help erase mistakes. What else can do in this life?
To read more content like this, explore The Brand Hopper
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