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Custom Desk Pen Ordering Information
Available Options for Material & Pens; Bases Sizes and Styles; Ordering process, etc.

Desk Pen ordering options...
I am pleased to be able to offer these new custom desk pens! One of the great things about ordering a CUSTOM desk pen is that you can tailor it to your liking-- you can order it in one of several pen configurations; select from a variety of materials; and add various features to make it you own unique piece. I hope the information listed below will help to answer any questions you might have about placing an order. But please don't get scared off by the amount of information, I'm just trying to anticipate any questions you may have concerning your order. If you have any additional questions, or need clarification to any of the information below, please feel free to email me.

1. Pen options... Desk pens can be ordered in single, double or even triple pen sets; in a combination of pens; or in pen and pencil combinations.

a) Ball-point pens... I currently offer two different 'standard' size ball-point pens. One is a thin (.36") diameter twist pen, the other a thicker (.42") diameter twist pen (diameters are of the widest area of the pen not counting the centerbands which can be wider then the pen). However because they are custom, thicker pens can be ordered if desired along with custom sized accent bands. Pens use a Cross style 'twist' mechanism and refill.

b) Pencils... As with the ball-point pens, the pencil uses a Cross 'twist' style mechanism and 0.7mm lead. The mechanism kit used for the pencil is slightly thicker than the larger diameter ball-point pens, so when ordering a pen/pencil set, the thicker diameter pen is required in order to have the sizes match. But just like the pens, they can be made thicker if needed.

c) Roller-ball pens... Custom roller-ball pens can also be ordered, and can be ordered individually or in a pen/pencil set. The roller-ball is custom made with a spring-loaded protruding tip rather than a disapearing twist mechanism. Please inquire for additional details.

d) Fountain pens... Custom sized fountain pens can also be ordered. They can be order with or without a threaded pen & funnel (note: if ordering a desk pen with a conversion kit (to make a standard capped pen), it must be threaded). Threaded pen will typically use 12mm threads, but the other two other larger sizes are available that would allow for thicker pens while still maintaining the same smooth transition style from the barrel to the threads. The sapphire pen shown here has 12mm threads with a .50" diameter barrel, while the cranberry pen has 14mm threads with a .56" diameter barrel. The cranberry was also made longer at the request of the client.

2. Fountain Pen Style options... Fountain pen sets can be ordered in two basic configurations:

a) Desk Pen only
. This option allows for using the pen as a 'Desk' pen only and would include a cap-less pen with a barrel extension and the base. They can be ordered with a threaded or unthreaded funnel. The photo's at the very top right show an example of a desk pen only.

b) Full conversion set. With a full conversion set you will receive a complete pen with either clip or clipless cap, a barrel extension for the desk pen, and base with a threaded funnel. The center photo at the top right is an example of a full conversion desk pen set.

3. Other options... As I mentioned at the beginning, one of the great things about custom ordering is that they are just that-- 'custom'. This means you can tailor the order to your liking-- you can adjust the size of the pen(s), or add other features such as custom accent bands; make a custom size or shaped base; or add a business card holder or engraved name-plate (more on bases below).

4. Materials... As with most of my custom pens, you can order a Desk Pen in your choice of acrylics or wood/acrylic combination. Fountain pens can be made of wood (with acrylic inserts for the threads). Bases can also be made with wood or acrylic. And while the colors and patterns of acrylics are many, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the acrylic for your desk pen:

a) Bases... The first thing to keep in mind is that most acrylics sold specifically for pen making are sold as BLANKS. Blanks are typically 3/4" or 7/8" round or square x 5" to 12" long. Clearly not large enough to make a base. So the material large enough for a base must either be special ordered as a "slab" from someone that can custom pour the acrylic, or by using several standard pen "blanks" and creating a laminated base. There is nothing wrong with a laminated base, both the Cranberry and Sapphire bases shown are laminated. But it does take some considerations when choosing the material so the glue joints are as discrete as possible. But the best option is to order a slab, but the types and patterns of the material is more limited. I've been fortunate enough to be able to make arrangements with a few suppliers that allows me to special order the larger pieces necessary for a custom sized bases. (see SOLID BASES below).

Laminated bases... The Cranberry Red and Sapphire Blue laminated bases shown are made using 4 standard size pen blanks glued edge to edge to create the 3" x 5" base. I choose this size as the standard size for a single pen base because it utilizes the blanks most efficiently with the least amount of waste and glue joints, while still producing a decent size base. Because most pen blanks are slightly oversized or undersized, the bases may end up slightly larger or smaller. I should also note that some glue joints can be more prominent than others depending on the color and pattern of the material chosen, so you need to keep this in mind as you choose your material to insure the glue joints as inconspicuous as possible.

b) Best patterns for laminated bases... While it may seem obvious, I thought I'd mention some of the best patterns to use in order to get a nice looking laminated base while keeping the glue joints as inconspicuous as possible. As both the cranberry and sapphire bases show, the best type of patterns to use are semi-solid and/or random colors/patterns. Because the pattern is random, it is easier to hide the straight glue joints. Blanks such as those with wavy patterns are typically not good choices.

c) Complex segmenting... While the two laminated bases shown here are simple 4-piece laminations, it is possible to us more blanks and additional materials to make a complex 'segmented' base. With segmenting, you can play around with colors, patterns, and mixed materials to make a more complex design that would accent the joints rather than trying to hide them. Just keep in mind that this type of base adds more labor, therefore will increase the cost.

d) Solid bases... OK, DON'T WORRY-- solid bases are possible! Having a multi-piece base is the best options to allow for using the widest selection of pen acrylics that are available and at the least expense. If not for the laminated base, the choices of colors AND patterns would be severely limited. 0But with the help of a few of my suppliers, I can special order larger pieces that makes it possible to have not only one piece bases, but also larger or custom shaped bases as well (see base sizes below). However there is a trade off with the material. The custom sized slabs are only available in two types of acrylic: a) Inlace Acrylester' (IA); and b) Alumilite. Both types of acrylic are very similar in characteristics, but the Alumilite is available in more style and color options (such as transparent, or pearl). But with both, the patterns are limited to solid color and swirls.

e) Base sizes... While the 3" x 5" base was chosen as a standard size due to the limitations of the pen blank sizes, the great thing about custom ordering is that virtually any size or shaped base is possible. Larger size bases such as one for a two-pen set may be desired, or a custom shaped base (like on the maple ball-point) can be ordered. The only caveat to ordering a special size or special shaped base is that it will add to the material cost and labor hours which will increase the total cost of the special order. The full size IA 'slabs' can be ordered in one of two size configurations for making solid bases or custom shaped bases: a) 5" x 10", or b) 7" x 7". My standard thickness of the bases are 3/4", but the IA can also be ordered in a 7/8" thickness if a thicker base is desired. The Alumilite can be ordered in any size and thickness.

5. Pricing... As you can imagine, because of the many combinations of pen styles, base sizes and other options that can be combined in a single desk pen order, just listing or even quoting a flat price just isn't possible without getting the details first. So if you are interested in getting a quote on a desk pen, it's necessary to put together a few specifics of the custom order before quoting a price. Listed below are the basic things I would need to know in order to give a quote for your custom desk pen order:

Number of Pens: single, double, or triple desk pen.
Pen Type: Fountain, ball-point, roller-ball, pencil or a combination.
Base Size: Standard (3x5) or custom size, or shape and edge treatment.
Material: Standard pen blanks, or custom ordered IA for one piece base.
Additional options: such as a card holder (added to the base) or custom accent rings.
For Fountain Pens:
Type of inking system:
Standard C/C, Button or Lever filler.
Desk Pen Type: Desk pen only or full pen with conversion.

I know I've listed a lot of information here, but hopefully it will answer most of your questions. If you are considering ordering a desk pen and would like a quote, or have any additional questions about materials or something I've not mentioned here please don't hesitate to send me an email. I'd love to hear from you, and I'll try to reply promptly.

Thanks for your interest.. I look forward to hearing from you!

Cordially...JEB
www.jebspens.com
email: jeb@jebspens.com