At Steel City, we select pencils and desk stationery the same way we’d choose them for our own team: we check what it’s made from, how the branding lands, and how it holds up once it’s been in a bag, on a desk, and passed around.
When you’re ordering for welcome packs, events, or day-to-day office stock, those details really matter. A pencil that chips, a logo that looks faded, or a delivery date that slides can turn a great idea into admin. We want to make sure the product does your brand justice.
- Traceability and materials: It’s really important that we don’t greenwash. We suggest items with clear material info (recycled newspaper, rPET/recycled plastics, bamboo, FSC® paper, responsibly sourced wood, plus standards like GRS and REACH) so if anyone asks for the backstory or what it’s actually made from, you’ve got a clear answer.
- Quality branding and proofs: You want your logo to be perceived as really good quality. Our proofing process checks the print area and branding method (1-colour print, full colour print, engraving, blind embossing, foil blocking) so your logo stays readable and consistent, rather than squeezed into an edge or softened by the wrong method.
- Clear lead times: We know deadlines are a popular question. We steer you towards lines with reliable lead times (often 5, 7, 9 or 10 working days from proof approval) and flag express options where they exist, so you can plan sign-off and delivery without a last-minute scramble.
- Useful day-to-day formats: We always put forward items we think are useful—pencils, rulers, highlighters, bookmarks, desk/pen pots—because they get picked up repeatedly during the working day, instead of ending up as a one-use giveaway.
- Consultative choices: We want your budget to go as far as possible. Our default is 1-colour branding where it keeps the unit cost steady, and we’ll only suggest moving to full colour when your design really needs it, ensuring you get the best value without compromising on impact.
- Packaging that lands well: First impressions count. We include pack formats like recycled cardboard boxes, pencil tubes (including sharpener lids), and compact items because they travel well and arrive looking great, rather than looking “handled” before you’ve even given them out.
- Helping you narrow down: We know the industry can be overwhelming. We use the products on this page as our baseline for clear materials and strong branding, but if you’re working to a specific brief, our team can source beyond the shortlist to find exactly what you need.