Abstract: In the use of pigment coated foil, e.g. so-called "gold leaf" being a common example, in the imprinting of pens, there is unavoidable slippage between the pen, supported on one or more idler rollers, and a rotationally driven printing slug, which detracts from the clarity of the imprinting indicia. This is obviated herein by using a stationary heated printing slug and converting a pen-supporting roller from an idler into a driving roller to, in turn, cause corresponding rotation in the pen. The pen is thus caused to rotate or "roll" across or along the printing slug, and such movement in turn causes the gold leaf to transfer onto the pen with a high degree of clarity.