The main difference is obviously the material. A metal pen is at first sight a promotional item with more character than a cardboard or plastic pen. They are more resistant to the passage of time and to the use we make of them. A personalized metal pen is more associated to a corporate image of greater consistency, not necessarily more traditional. Nowadays there are metal pens with a classic design that resembles pens and pens of well-known and traditional brands, but there are also metal pens with a colorful and modern design, with fashionable finishes such as soft-touch that can be associated to a modern brand image.