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Best Email Marketing Platforms for Pen Makers: What to Use (and Why It Matters)
- renaealk
- Apr 3, 2024
- 5 min read
Running your pen business without an email platform -
is like trying to host a dinner party with paper plates and no silverware. Sure, you can do it, but it’s messy, unpolished, and nobody’s impressed.
Here’s the truth: sending bulk emails from Gmail or Outlook isn’t just clunky — it’s unprofessional, lands you in spam, and robs you of the one thing you need most: trust. That’s why email marketing platforms exist. They give you the tools to send beautiful, trackable, professional emails that actually reach your customers.
If you’re wondering, “Okay, but which one do I need?” — don’t worry. I’ve tested them, broken down the costs, and translated the jargon into pen-maker English. Let’s dive in.
What Is an Email Marketing Platform (and Why You Need One)?
Think of an email marketing platform as your digital pen case. Instead of random sticky notes with customer emails, old craft fair signup slips, or a messy Gmail contact list, everything is neat, organized, and ready when you need it.
With an email platform, you can:
Store and organize contacts so you don’t lose buyers.
Send bulk emails that look professional (with images, buttons, and branding).
Stay out of spam folders — Gmail wasn’t built for bulk selling.
Track performance (who opened, clicked, or bought).
Automate tasks like welcome emails or refill reminders.
Without one? Most pen makers fall into these traps:
BCC’ing 30 customers in Gmail (and looking spammy).
Forgetting who bought what and when.
Having no clue if anyone opened their emails.
In short: an email platform makes you look polished, saves time, and keeps customers coming back.
If you want to grow beyond hobby level, you need a tool that treats your customers like the VIPs they are — and doesn’t make you look like you’re spamming from your personal inbox.
The Big Four Platforms to Know
There are dozens of options out there, but for pen makers, these four are the most practical
Platform | Free Plan | Ease of Use | Best For | Starting Cost After Free |
Up to 500 subs | Beginner-friendly, drag & drop templates | Hobby makers just getting started | ~$13/month at 500+ subs | |
Up to 1,000 subs | Clean design, simple automation | Growing shops needing sequences | ~$29/month after free | |
Flodesk | No free plan | Gorgeous templates, flat pricing | Makers who care about visuals | $38/month flat (unlimited) |
Constant Contact | 60-day trial | Old school, lots of features | Power sellers who want integrations | ~$12–$35/month depending on list size |
What It Actually Costs (Real Math)
Here’s where most guides sugarcoat things. Yes, many platforms start free… but as your list grows, so do the bills.
Mailchimp: Free until 500 subs, then ~$13/month.
ConvertKit: Free until 1,000 subs, then ~$29/month.
Flodesk: No free plan, but flat $38/month for unlimited subscribers (great if you scale fast).
Constant Contact: Starts at ~$12/month but climbs quickly as your list grows.
👉 Pen maker math: If you sell one $75 pen, you’ve more than covered a month’s platform cost. And with an engaged list, one good product launch can bring in sales that make the subscription feel tiny.
What About Shopify & Wix Email?
If your shop is already built on Shopify or Wix, you don’t necessarily have to jump straight into a separate platform. Both have built-in email tools designed for small sellers.
Shopify Email → Lets you design and send branded emails right from your Shopify dashboard. It’s integrated with your products, so you can easily drop in items, discounts, or collections. Pricing is fair too: the first 10,000 emails/month are free, then it’s pay-per-send.
Wix Email Marketing → Comes baked into Wix. You can design emails with drag-and-drop tools, automate simple flows (like “thanks for signing up”), and connect it to your Wix forms. It’s a friendly starter option, but here’s the catch: only the first 200 emails per month are free. After that, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid Ascend plan.
The tradeoff: Built-in tools are simple and convenient, but limited compared to Mailchimp or ConvertKit. If you want advanced automations (like refill reminders or segmented product launches), you’ll eventually outgrow them. But if you’re just starting? They’re a no-stress way to dip your toes in without extra subscriptions.
Which Platform Fits You Best?
Here’s how I’d match platforms to common pen maker situations:
Hobby Maker (50–200 subscribers): Just starting? Use Mailchimp free plan. It’s simple, costs nothing, and gets you rolling.
Growing Shop (500–1,000 subscribers): Sending launches, care tips, or seasonal promos? ConvertKit gives you automation and easy sequences without overwhelming you.
Design-Focused Seller: If you want your emails to look like a glossy magazine, Flodesk wins. Flat-rate pricing is also a relief if you’re scaling.
Power Seller (1,000+ subscribers, multiple channels): Running Etsy, Shopify, and art shows with serious volume? Constant Contact or even ActiveCampaign will give you advanced features, though they’re pricier.
Deliverability & Credibility
Here’s the secret sauce: platforms don’t just make emails pretty — they make sure they actually arrive.
Sending from Gmail? Likely to land in Promotions Folder (ignorable) or Spam.
Sending from Mailchimp/ConvertKit? Authenticated, trusted, higher deliverability.
Plus, customers trust branded emails more. It feels like buying from a business, not some random guy who copied their address into Outlook.
And the bonus? Analytics. You’ll know exactly how many people opened, clicked, and purchased. That feedback is gold.
What Your Emails Can Look Like
Picture this:
Gmail bulk email: Plain text, blue underlined links, no photos. Feels like a scam.
Flodesk email: Big, bold product shots, clean fonts, “Shop Now” buttons, mobile-friendly.
Your pens deserve to be shown off like luxury products, not lost in a wall of text. Even if you stick to simple templates, the difference in presentation is night and day.
Future-Proofing: Don’t Stress About Picking “Perfect”
Worried about being locked in forever? Don’t be. Every platform lets you export contacts and move if you outgrow it. The important thing is to start now, even if your list is tiny.
Think of it like buying your first lathe: you don’t need the dream setup on day one. Start simple, learn the ropes, and upgrade when you’re ready.
Wrap-Up: Start Now, Grow Later
Your email platform isn’t an optional upgrade — it’s the foundation of your sales engine. It keeps you out of spam, makes you look professional, and gives you the tools to actually sell your pens online.
Whether you start free with Mailchimp, jump into ConvertKit, or go all-in on Flodesk for those gorgeous templates, the best choice is the one that gets you sending sooner.
Don’t wait until you have “enough subscribers.” Even 50 people on a proper platform are better than 500 followers you can’t reach. Start today, and give your pen business the professional edge it deserves.
👉 Want to see how to actually build your list once you’ve picked a platform? Check out my guide: [How to Build an Email List as a Pen Maker →]
👋 Want more email tips like this, plus marketing tips for handmade sellers?
Join my free email list for weekly inspiration, writing tools, and creative ideas to help you grow your shop.
💬 Need help crafting your content, finding your story, or building a brand voice that sells?Book a free intro call—I work with makers who want to sell more by saying more.
And hey, let’s be pen friends:
Or just email renaealk@gmail.com if you’ve got a question.
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