Pens range from inexpensive ballpoints you can buy from a big box store for everyday use to executive models for signing important documents. They also make great gifts for graduations and promotions. But which pens are made in the USA? We did the research to come up with a list of domestically produced ones.
Complete List of Pens Made in the USA
This family-owned company specializes in marker pens for laundry and textiles featuring removable ink. Arro-Mark also produces permanent ink and paint markers. The brand also offers a high level of specialization of products. Arro-Mark makes its own ink, paint, and fills.
The Fisher Space pen has a storied history, from the creation of the Universal Cartridge Refill in the 1950s to the development of pens that could be used in space. This iconic company still makes its writing instruments in the USA, including outdoor pens, trade and professional pens, and executive and luxury pens.
Garland Writing Instruments is another innovator in the pen industry as the inventor of the twist action pen mechanism. The brand is now owned by Pen Company of America, which also appears on this list. Garland Writing Instruments’ Tactical Collection pens are made for first responders. Customers can also choose a pen from one of the widest color selections in the industry through the company’s Color Collection. Pens from the Revere or Monogram collections are ideal for gifts. You can select from highly polished chrome and golden finishes, smoked ebony, or 12-karat gold-filled writing instruments. Those who want a pen with a retro look can check out the Founder’s Collection.
Noodler’s Ink is an ink producer, but also sells a variety of pens, including brush, safety, acrylic, rollerball, and fountain pens.
Tactile Turn hand-machines pens for customers who want quality pens from the finest materials. All their pens are produced in-house at the company’s facility in the Lone Star State and come with a lifetime warranty.
All of this company’s products, from executive pens to value plastic pens, are manufactured in the USA from domestic parts and sold through All American Writing Instruments distributors. Each pen is stamped with “made in the USA” as a testament to this brand’s commitment to bringing manufacturing back to the United States.
Edison Pen Company is a relatively new name on the writing instrument scene, but this brand is already making its mark. The brand, founded in 2007, makes two basic types of pens. Production Line pens are made assembly-line style in large batches with no customization and are sold through retailers at a budget-friendly price. Signature Line pens, which are completely customized with your choice of materials, can only be ordered directly from the company.
This brand is focused on making top-quality, handcrafted pens in the USA. Team members have backgrounds in everything from machining, tool and die work, fabrication, automotive repair and restoration, and product design and development. Nearly everything is done under one roof, and what they can’t do themselves is outsourced to other local businesses.
Pen Company of America (PCA) has been in business for a century and has been in the hands of the same family for the entire time. This brand is the largest maker of made in the USA ballpoint pens and markers out there.
This company’s pens, which are produced in small batches, are made of brass, copper, engineered plastics, or anodized aluminum. They can be fitted with either a rollerball tip or a fountain pen tip.
Sunderland Machine Works manufactures refined machined pens designed for comfort and durability. They are tough enough to be used in the shop, yet elegant enough for the executive suite.
The Blind Machinist was established by a drag racer who lost his sight following a 2013 accident. He is determined to continue racing and uses the proceeds from this business to keep his dream alive. He makes each custom pen from start to finish by hand and with machines.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Pens
How to Find Pens Made in the USA
When shopping for American-made pens, you need to do thorough research to ensure you are getting a product that is manufactured 100% domestically. Here are our guidelines for finding these writing instruments.
What Does Made In The USA Mean?
First, you need to know the true definition of the phrase “made in the USA.” According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), it means “all or virtually all” of a product was made in the United States, including the materials. This means a pen can contain a few minor parts sourced or manufactured overseas and still be considered a “made in the USA” item.
For more information on this topic, see our guide on “made in the USA” shopping.
Materials
Next, let’s consider the materials most commonly used to make pens and from where they generally originate.
Steel
Many high-quality pens are made from steel. Fortunately, the United States plays a major role in the global steel market even though China is the world leader. Even better, US steel is stronger than the Chinese version, so companies focusing on making durable products often turn to domestic steel.
Aluminum
Some pens are made from aluminum, but the amount of that metal originating in the United States is minuscule compared to China. This means you should probably rule out aluminum pens if you want a writing instrument made in the USA.
Plastic
Plastic is a popular material for making budget-friendly pens. However, most of the world’s plastic is sourced from China and European nations. Still, the United States produces 20% of the plastic used globally. Therefore, if you are looking for an affordable writing instrument, you might find some domestically produced plastic pens.
Ink
Many pen companies produce their own inks, so if you find a brand that markets their pens being made in the USA, you might want to contact a representative to ensure the ink is sourced stateside.
Labeling
Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US Code states all products must be labeled according to their country of origin, i.e., “made in Japan” or “made in the USA.”
Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, the reality is a bit more complicated. The FTC doesn’t have a pre-approval process for companies to follow to use the “made in the USA” label. That’s why we recommend doing your own research to ensure the pens you buy were truly made within the United States
Another key point is some brands try to trick shoppers into believing their products were made in the USA through the use of the following phrases:
- Made in America: This could mean the item is made in Canada or Mexico.
- Assembled/Designed in the USA: Some production may have taken place outside the United States.
- Made in the USA with imported materials: The product contains components made overseas.
Even the appearance of the Stars and Stripes on a label doesn’t always mean goods were made here because the FTC doesn’t protect the use of the American flag.
Final Tips
Here’s some last-minute advice on finding made-in-the-USA pens.
Check The Website
Companies that make pens and any other product in the USA know it’s a strong selling point, so they aren’t shy about promoting this fact. This means these brands are likely to prominently advertise their made in the USA bona fides on their official website. You are likely to find information on the main page, and/or the “About Us” or “Our Story” page. Some companies make some but not all of their goods domestically, so it’s also a good idea to check out individual product pages.
Keep in mind that US companies don’t have to mention anything online about where their products are made, even if they are imported. Therefore, if you can’t find a country or origin indicated on a brand’s website, it’s best to assume that the item was made overseas.
Don’t Forget About Amazon
Online shopping platforms such as Amazon can be an amazing source of information on a product’s country of origin if you can’t find it elsewhere. We suggest checking product pages and FAQ sections.
Make a Phone Call
Sometimes, the direct method is the best. You may want to contact the company and ask a customer representative where an item was made and where the materials were sourced.
Pen Companies Not Made in the USA
Here’s a list of well-known pen companies that make their product outside the United States. As we continue to find more of these brands through our research, we will update the list.
- Caran D’Ache – Made in Switzerland.
- Decomposition – Made in Germany.
- Bic – Made in Europe.
- Parker – Made in France.
- Visconti – Made in Italy.
- Pelikan – Made in Germany.
