Getting free pens delivered to your mailbox is a lot easier than most people realize.
And I’m not talking about those cheap pens that stop working halfway through a sentence.
I remember when I was setting up my first little home office, I wanted good, reliable pens (the kind that write smoothly every time).
But me being me (you know, annoyingly frugal and all!), I wasn’t looking to spend money if I didn’t have to.
That’s when I found out just how many companies give away free pens, office supplies, and other stationery items as part of their advertising.
A study from the Advertising Specialty Institute found that promotional products are one of the most effective types of marketing, and pens are the number one item companies hand out.
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That’s why you see them everywhere, and why so many businesses are happy to send out free pen samples just to get their name in front of you.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to tap into that marketing spend.
Whether you’re a student, a teacher looking for free school supplies, or just someone who loves good pens, I’ll show you simple, legit ways to score high-quality pens for free.
Table of Contents
First, Why Do Companies Give Away Free Pens?
So, what’s the catch?
Why would a company just mail you a pen for free?
It’s actually super simple, and not some secret trick.
Free pens are one of the most effective ways companies advertise their brand.
Think about it: a branded pen is like a tiny, portable billboard you carry with you.
Every time you jot down a note or sign a receipt, you see that company name. It’s a subtle reminder that keeps their brand top-of-mind.
For businesses, especially the big promotional product companies, sending out free samples is a low-cost way to show off their quality.
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They’re hoping that you, or a business you know, might come back and order 500 of them.
And here’s the best part for us…
That marketing strategy creates a ton of legit opportunities to score free pens and promotional samples with no strings attached.
How to Get Free Pens: 5 Proven Methods
Okay, now that you know why companies are happy to send out pen samples to you for free, let’s get to the fun part: how you can get in on the action.
There are a few different ways to get free pens by mail.
Here are the five methods that work best.
Go Straight to Your Favorite Pen Brands
The easiest way is to contact the companies that make the pens you already love.
Think brands like Pilot, BIC, Paper Mate, Zebra Pen, Parker Pens, Cross Pens, Reynolds, Sheaffer Pens, etc.
Most of these companies have marketing budgets and love hearing from loyal fans.
Sending a polite email asking for a sample can be surprisingly effective.
You’re basically giving them a chance to build brand loyalty with a dedicated user, you!
Later in this guide, I’ll even share a copy-and-paste script to make it super easy to ask.
Request Samples from Promotional Companies
This is how most people score freebies. Promotional product companies sell pens, mugs, and other swag in bulk to businesses.
To prove their products are top-notch, they often offer free samples.
But here’s the catch…
Their main customers are businesses ordering hundreds of items, not individuals. But many will still send samples to individuals if you ask politely.
In the next section, I’ll give you a list of companies that are known to do this actually (send free pens to anyone requesting it).
Use Reward Sites to “Buy” Pens for Free
If you want specific pens and don’t want a random sample, rewards sites are a great option.
You can earn points by doing small tasks like taking surveys, watching videos, or testing apps. Then you can redeem your points for gift cards.
Then you can “shop” for a box of your favorite pens on Amazon or other retailers.
It’s a foolproof way to get the pens you actually want without spending a dime.
Sign Up for Freebie & Product Sample Boxes
Another great option is to sign up for free sample boxes from companies like PINCHme.
They send out boxes of free stuff every month in exchange for your feedback.
While the boxes usually have snacks or beauty products, sometimes they also throw in office and school supplies too, especially around back-to-school time.
It’s a little surprise in the mail and a smart way to get pens and other freebies delivered straight to your door.
Find Them at Local Businesses and Events
Don’t forget to look for free pens near you, offline!
Some of the best free pens come from local businesses.
Banks, real estate offices, career fairs, and new store grand openings are famous for having bowls of free branded pens.
And yes, they are free to take. But obviously ask first to make sure you are not just grabbing pens that are not meant to be given away for free, lol.
Companies That Send Free Pens by Mail (Verified 2025 List)
Here’s the actionable list you’ve been waiting for!
Most of these are promotional product companies that usually focus on business orders, but many are happy to send free pen samples to individuals if you ask nicely.
I’ve included what you need to know for each one.
A Quick Heads-Up on Shipping Costs
Before you start requesting, it’s important to understand the difference between a legitimate company’s policy and a scam. A scam is a site that promises a “100% FREE” pen, only to surprise you with a mandatory, often inflated, ‘$7.95 shipping’ fee at the last second. That’s a classic bait-and-switch.
Some of the legitimate B2B companies on our list, however, may have transparent policies where they ask you to cover shipping costs for higher-value items. But they are transparent about it and not trying to fool you. If a company mentions its policy clearly on its sample page, it’s generally trustworthy. If a shipping fee feels like a surprise trick at the end, that’s your red flag to close the tab.
Just wanted to mention this since usually when we look for free samples, we expect free shipping as well.
Anyway, here are the best legit companies that do send out free pen samples by request.
1. 4imprint
4imprint is a big name in the promo world and built around sending out samples. You’ve probably seen their ads on TV lately.
- How to Request Yours: Click the “request a free sample” button on almost any pen’s product page. It’s easy to use for both businesses and individuals and a solid way to get free promotional pens.
2. Pens.com
Pens.com is another giant offering free pen samples to show off their quality.
- How to Request Yours: You can request up to two free samples by calling their customer service number on the page above. It’s mainly for businesses, but sometimes individuals can score samples too.
3. Amsterdam Printing
If you’re a business owner, Amsterdam Printing offers high-quality samples.
- How to Request Yours: You can request up to 5 samples under $7. You’ll need to call them and may have to validate your business before they ship.
4. Deluxe
Deluxe has a huge range of promotional pens, from simple ballpoints to executive styles.
- How to Request Yours: Look for the “Request Sample” button on most product pages. They focus on businesses, and you might need to indicate how many pens you’d order in the future.
5. Eco Promotional Products
If you want environmentally friendly pens, check out Eco Promotional Products.
- How to Request Yours: They offer up to $10 in free samples (shipping included). Just pick a pen and hit “Request a Sample.” You’ll need to create an account to complete it.
6. Zebra Pen
Zebra Pen is one of the most popular brands with awesome giveaways.
- How to Request Yours: Their offers change often. Sometimes they target specific professions, other times they have promotions for National Ballpoint Pen Day. Check their main site or social media if a link has expired.
7. Myron
Myron is another major promotional products company that provides free samples to businesses interested in seeing their quality firsthand.
- How to request yours: According to their official instructions, you can add up to three items priced under $10 to your cart and then select the ‘sample’ option during checkout. They note that samples are sent either blank or with a random imprint and that they reserve the right to limit free samples, primarily for businesses.
8. SchoolhouseSupplies.org
This is a great resource, but only for teachers in specific school districts around Portland, Oregon.
- How to request yours: The Free Store for Teachers program provides a variety of free school supplies. Teachers in eligible districts should visit the site to see how to register and shop for free.
9. AnyPromo
AnyPromo has free samples of hundreds of pens, with free shipping included.
- How to Request Yours: Simply create an account to start requesting. While geared toward businesses, many individuals have successfully received samples as well.
10. ADG Promotional Products
ADG is another large supplier of branded merchandise that offers free samples to help potential business customers evaluate their products.
- How to request yours: According to their official sample policy you need to find a pen priced under $10 on their site, then use the “Request A Sample” button on its product page. You can also ask for a sample using their live chat feature.
11. Crestline
Crestline is a well-known provider of promotional products that offers samples to help businesses make the right choice for their marketing.
- How to request yours: According to their free sample page, if you are not an existing customer, you can fill out their form to make a request. Existing customers can contact their account manager to get up to $20 in free samples per year. This program is mainly designed for businesses.
12. Qualigifts
Qualigifts is a company that specializes in personalized promotional items, and they offer a truly unique sample to showcase the quality of their custom printing.
- How to request yours: You can fill out their official sample request form to get a single, completely free personalized pen. You can even add your own custom text to see exactly how it would look.
13. MARCO Promos
MARCO Promos is a great source for samples if you’re looking for well-known brands like BIC, Sharpie, and Paper Mate to test out.
- How to request yours: Visit their official printed pens page, click on a product you’re interested in, and look for the orange “Get a Free Sample” button. This offer is primarily designed for businesses considering a purchase, and they typically provide up to three free samples.
14. Custom Pens (4pens.com)
As their name suggests, Custom Pens specializes in personalized pens for businesses and events. They provide samples to show their product quality to potential clients.
- How to request yours: According to their free samples page, the best way to request a sample is to call or email their customer service team directly. This program is designed for qualified customers, which typically means businesses or organizations.
Related Freebies: Pencils, Stickers, and More
By the way, many of the promotional companies listed above use the same strategy to offer other free stationery.
You can usually use the same methods to find and request free pencils, free stickers, and even things like free printable calendars for your desk.
Template for Requesting Free Pen Samples
When you’re reaching out to a company directly, especially a big brand, how you ask makes all the difference.
You’re not just a random person demanding a freebie; you’re a loyal fan who’s opening a conversation.
Also remember that the person on the other end is a human being too. So being nice can get you far!
To make it easy, here is a simple copy-and-paste script you can use.
Just fill in the blanks and send it through the “Contact Us” form on their website.
Subject: A quick question from a loyal customer
Hello [Brand Name] Team,
I’m a huge fan of your products and have been using your pens for years. I love your pens and use them for everything from journaling to work notes!
I was wondering if you ever provide samples of new or different products for loyal customers to try out? I’d be more than happy to provide detailed feedback on my experience.
Either way, thank you for making such great products!
Best,
[Your Name]
It’s short, polite, and shows that you’re a genuine fan, not just a freebie hunter. This little script can seriously increase your chances of getting a positive response.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Zebra Pen, 4imprint, and AnyPromo are some of the easiest ways to score free pens by mail. Most other promotional companies focus on businesses, but a polite request can sometimes get you a sample too.
Not usually. Free pen samples from promo companies are typically blank or have a random logo, just to show off the quality of the pen itself.
Students can earn gift cards for pens through reward sites like Swagbucks or MyPoints. Teachers in certain areas, like Portland, can check out the SchoolhouseSupplies.org program for free school supplies, including pens.
Yes! Most local bank branches keep bowls of promotional pens for customers. It’s one of the easiest ways to grab a freebie while you’re out running errands.
It varies, but you can usually expect your free pen sample to arrive within 2 to 8 weeks. Patience is key!
Absolutely. Sending out free samples is a major part of their business model, as it shows potential customers the quality of their pens before they place a big order.
Often, yes, but not always. Many companies design sample programs for businesses, yet several will still send pens to individuals if you ask politely and explain why you want them.
It depends on the company. Some are strictly business-only, while others are happy to send a sample to loyal fans. Always check the website or reach out and ask, it never hurts!
Most companies have a cap, like “up to two samples per customer” or a dollar value limit, such as “$10 worth of free samples.” It helps them spread freebies fairly.
Yep! Back-to-school season, holidays, and special days like National Ballpoint Pen Day are when many brands run promotions. Keep an eye out to snag extras!
The Bottom Line: Is Getting Free Pens Worth It?
As you can see, there are plenty of legit ways to score free pens, whether it’s reaching out to brands directly or grabbing samples from promotional companies.
It’s a fun, easy way to try out new pens without spending a single dime.
Will you stock your whole home office overnight?
Probably not.
But you can get enough pens to never have to buy one again, lol.
Now that you know exactly how to get free pens delivered straight to your mailbox, you just need to start requesting them!
I got me some sample pens today thanks to you !!!!!
My Promotional Pens (Save Your Ink) does not give free pens. You can request the samples but they reply with a total charge.
Thanks for the heads up, Bobby. Are they charging for shipping? I’ll try to contact them to see what they say.
Yes this a request for all of your free mail samples of homesteads maps of California and Nevada and Alaska areas . Thank You
can I get free sample by mail.
1600 n 8th st Apt 1J
Philadelphia PA 19122
can I get free samples by mail. I love pens I’m always looking for a new pen, I do alot of writing
Dawn, you need to click on the links in the post and fill out the request forms from the companies and websites mentioned. They are the ones that send free pens to you by mail.
I would love to get a sample of a unique pens that you have to offer. knowing that u have a lot of different pens for anyone n anything you like to write. please send me a free sample. I’ll spread the word. thank you
Laura, we (as in MoneyPantry) don’t actually do that. In this post, we are just sharing the names of companies that do send free pens by mail. You’ll have to visit their contact page (that we linked to in the post) and fill out the free pen request form. They will then ship the free pens to you. Hope this helps.