The best pens for professionals are not only writing instruments, but also symbolize excellence and make exceptional corporate gifts for dedicated employees.

While your preference may differ depending on function and hand grip, some standout pens make for trusty companions, allowing you to write with precision and accuracy (like Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen with their trusty bow and quivers!)

While top-of-the-line pens like the Cross Townsend Rollerball Pen can catch quite the pretty penny, did you know you can write phenomenally with some pens for under $30 as well?

Let’s stroll down the list and go in-depth with these best pens for professionals at a friendly budget.

Deluxe Woodmark Rosewood Pen and Pencil Set

Deluxe Woodmark Rosewood Pen & Pencil Set

Product Features:

Comes with a 0.9 mm pencil and a twist action black-ink ballpoint type pen 

• Carved rosewood finish gold trim and meticulous scrolling
• Personalized and customizable engraving can be black or gold
• Bundled with a Dayspring Pens protection sleeve

A two-in-one package for less than $35, there's no greater bargain you can find than this marvelous duo. Indeed, the pen itself is comfortable, durable, and reliable, which makes it a great writing companion for daily use.

Cross Click Chrome Ballpoint Pens

Product Features:

Click-action ballpoint tool with black ink

• Lustrous chrome exterior 
• Comes in a Cross packaged box
• Personalized engravings with tone-on-tone color
• Cross gives it a Lifetime Warranty

The Cross Ballpoint uses a click assembly rather than the much-adored swivel-type pens. Consequently, it's great for professionals who habitually click pens. Affordable and unique, gift this Cross pen to your caffeine-loving friends!

Cross Calais Ballpoint Pens

Cross Calais Ballpoint Pen- Lustrous Chrome

Product Features:

Twist action ballpoint pen with black writing ink

• Gorgeous Lustrous Chrome sheen 
• Packaged in a Cross gift box
• Personalization coloring comes in light brass
• Cross Lifetime Mechanical Warranty

Despite its stunning luxurious shine, the Lustrous Chrome costs just under $35. But, trust us, this versatile, smooth pen hits the mark dead center, making it a worthy contender for the uni-ball for daily use.

Monroe 18-Karat Gold Plated Pen

Monroe 18 karat Gold Plated Pen and Pencil Set

Product Features:

Click-action pen with black ink and a 0.7 mm pencil

• 18kt gold-plated finish on the ballpoint
• Comes in a customized Dayspring Pens gift box
• Subtle personalized message lightly engraved on the sheen

Who says gold finish pens go for only over $100? Indeed, this fine point pen blows your expectations out of the water. In addition to its gold finish, the Monroe comes with great grubber grips and a medium barrel, which creates a comfortable writing experience.

Further Reading: How Do Ballpoint Pens Work

Alexandria Fountain Pens

Product Features:

Black ink pen with a stainless steel medium-sized nib

• Two blank ink cartridges and an ink converter
• Comes in a custom-made Dayspring Pens gift box
• Personalized message engravings match the body exterior

Moreover, the Alexandria Fountain Pen comes with an adaptive nib that personalizes a professional's writing right as their pen glides across the paper. This sapphire blue writing tool also comes with an ergonomic grip, making for a seamless writing experience the whole way through.

Learn More: How Do Fountain Pens Work

Abingdon Pens

Abingdon Chrome and Blue Lacquer Ballpoint

Product Features:

Medium point pen that writes black

• Chrome finish and blue lacquer appointments with twist-action ballpoint mechanism
• Ships in a Dayspring Pens gift box
• Custom engraving appears light brass

Say hello to this handsome pen. The classic finish of the Abingdon makes it a charming pen for professionals to carry along inside leather suitcases and bags. Aside from unmatched quality and affordability, this beauty also has a smooth and easy flow and a nice light weight. An excellent pen for the white-collared professional.

Parker Jotter Gel Ink Pen

Parker Jotter Gel Pen Stainless Steel Gold Trim

Product Features:

• Click-action gel ink pen
• Stainless steel body accented with iconic gold Parker appointments
• Ships in a Parker gift box with black gel ink
• Tone-on-tone colored monogramming
• Two-year Parker mechanical warranty
• Great set for men, women, corporate gifts, birthdays, and graduation

The Parker Jotter is a piece of history and one of our Best-Selling Pens. Its simple but solid construction paired with a satisfying click and smooth-as-silk writing experience makes this pen one of the best pens for professionals available in the price range.

Richmond Rollerball Pens

Richmond Rollerball Pen - Black

Product Features:

Rolling ball pen comes with own cap and black ink

• Matte black lacquer finish that engraves silver 
• Comes packed in a Dayspring Pens gift box
• Available as a ballpoint, rollerball, or mechanical pencil sets

The Richmond offers a smooth, comfortable, and a proper writing experience. Additionally, it distributes ink on the page at just the right touch, thanks to its liquid-based ink flow. As a result of its ergonomic grip and a medium barrel, this pen is well-endowed with a fantastic tool kit for left and right-handed professionals.

Cross Coventry Ballpoint Type Pen

Cross Coventry Ballpoint Pen Blue Lacquer

Product Features:

Medium twist-action ballpoint with black ink

• Polished chrome appointments on a black lacquer finish
• Packaged in a two-piece Cross gift box 
• Silver engraving available on pen cap
• Cross Lifetime Mechanical Warranty

A modern and distinguished pen, the Cross Conventry’s best attributes lie in its reliability and quality. Consequently, this graces the writer with the enamoring ooze of luxury as they glide their pen across paper. This model writes fantastically and will surely meet your needs.

What Are the Pen Types That Go for Under $35?

While many luxurious pens price themselves at a much higher rate, a $35 budget range is more than enough to snag yourself a fantastic pen.

These pens may be a bit cheaper than many others in the market, but they don’t skimp on the quality at all (and are perfect for corporate gifting).

Here are some pen types to give your employee, boss, or loved ones:

PEN	DESCRIPTION
Ballpoint Pens	Works on any smooth surface; a versatile, day pen
Fountain Pen	Functional, luxurious; used for signing documents and cheques
Rollerball Pen	Contains a ballpoint mechanism with liquid-based ink
Gel Pen	Resembles the Rollerball but uses gel ink instead of liquid
Felt Tip Pen	The pen nib is made from porous fibers; these are your markers, highlighters, and Micron Pens
Stylus	Used on a digital screen; like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop screen

Now here the question lies: are they all customizable?

Indeed! With Dayspring Pens, you receive custom-engraved pens all within a day (except for the Deep Cut Color-Filled Engraving Style).

So whatever price point you buy your pens, the message you engrave is absolutely priceless!

How Does Engraving Pens Work?

It’s a simple heating process. With metal and heat equipment, you incise through a material surface to imprint your message. However, you have nothing to worry about, this is all safely handled by us.

Once done, you get the final engraving, adding a touch of personality to your pens.

Moreover, the engraving process isn’t strictly limited to pens. You can personalize most gift items as well, from wooden clocks to wooden picture frames. Perfect for showing your appreciation and gratitude towards your coworkers!

Elevate your pen to the next level at Dayspring Pens today.

Be sure to let us know which is your favorite affordable, professional pen in the comments!

Sam Di Nardo is an author for Dayspring Pens, where she has honed her expertise in ballpoint, rollerball, gel and fountain pens since joining the team in 2018. From her initial role as an Engraver to becoming the Production Manager, Sam's journey has been marked by her passion for the history, manufacturing, and the unique value of gifted writing instruments. A graduate of Regent University with a degree in English Literature and a special interest in Old Norse literature, dive deeper into Sam's world and discover why she's your trusted guide in the realm of gift pens. Follow Sam on LinkedIn.