Sales of business cards have soared by 195% in the last five years, according to online printers Instantprint, the consumer-facing brand of Bluetree Group which also operates the Route 1 trade print business. The Rotherham-based company is now producing 2550 tonnes of cards a year to meet demand.

Purchases of the former business staple dropped significantly in the 2010s as digital social media channels such as LinkedIn and Twitter rose to prominence, but 2018 has seen a resurgence with one in ten business cards being purchased by 18-24-year olds, according to Instantprint.

The company reported that 43% of all its orders have come from customers aged 34 or under, with the most popular requests being for 100% recycled cards, Kraft brown designs and rounded corners. Many customers are now asking for social media handles and even QR codes to be included on their cards.

‘It’s equally great as it is surprising that the business card is thriving in this digital era,’ said  Jon Constantine-Smith, head of Instantprint. ‘We think the rise in business card popularity is down to the pride young entrepreneurs have for setting up their own businesses.

‘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,’ he added.