– An astonishing 3,686 tons of business cards were ordered by London residents in the past year
London business owners ordered an astonishing 3,686 tons (3,686,353 Kg) worth of business cards during the past year – equating to the weight of two London Eye’s – with most of the purchases coming from millennials.
Instantprint has seen sales of business cards rise by 195% in the last five years with demand now being so high for the custom stationery that 6 business cards must be produced every second in their Rotherham based headquarters.
London millennials have contributed to the city being the top area in the UK for ordering business cards.
Known for recycling trends from generations passed and the latest retro revival millennials have got their hands on is the humble business card.
Whilst this isn’t the business card’s first rodeo, the re-introduction of paper into the digital world has seen bold new techniques and trends emerge with orders of the traditional 3.5 x 2 inch cards being revamped, resized and refinished for the boldest and expressive generation.
Instantprint’s top ten most popular customisation trends in business cards from London residents in 2018 are:
1. 100% Recycled
2. Kraft
3. Rounded Corners
4. Velvet lamination – like peach fuzz
5. Spot UV
6. Square
7. Mini
8. Folded over
9. Extra thick 450gsm card
10. Metallic Ice Gold Shimmer Stock
Business cards are said to first have been used in the 17th century to announce the arrival of VIPs and aristocrats, generally handed in out in public spaces. They became an ‘executive tool’ in the 1980s and 1990s, but sales dropped significantly in the 2010’s as digital social media channels such as LinkedIn and Twitter rose to prominence – and now Millennials are actually listing their handles for the likes of Instagram and Facebook – and even QR codes – on them today.
Jon Constantine-Smith, Head of Instantprint, said: “It’s equally great as it is surprising that the business card is thriving in this digital era, but we think the rise in business card popularity is down to the pride young entrepreneurs have for setting up their own businesses. Ordering business cards with your own carefully crafted branding is an exciting right of passage for any business owner – and proves they are ready to start making connections in a way that shows off their business in the best possible light.
“It’s an oldie but a goodie in terms of what we print but the designs that leave our HQ are a far cry from the dull designs of years gone by. We’re experimenting with texture, size, finish, weight and shape – after all these little cards are an extension of a person’s personality.
“We all have theories about what’s influenced this U-turn from tech to paper, but pop culture is a great indicator of future trends. After the recent revelation that Friends is the most popular TV programme for teens, we can’t help but wonder what next trend from previous decades will make a comeback.”
Customers can order stationery essentials from instantprint.co.uk which can be dispatched within 24 hours.