Are you interested in the state of the print on demand industry in 2023?
On demand product manufacturing has become one of the hottest trends among ecommerce entrepreneurs and global brands. It’s a business model in which products are printed only when a customer orders them, and the fullment is handled by print on demand service providers.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight noteworthy print on demand statistics and trends that you need to know about this year.
Let’s dive right in.
Key Print on Demand Statistics: Editor’s picks
- The print on demand market is growing by 26.1% annually.
- In 2023, the global print on demand industry is worth USD 7.78 billion.
- Home decor is the fastest growing print on demand segment.
Print on demand market growth
- The print on demand market is growing by 26.1% annually
The print on demand market is experiencing significant growth, with an annual increase of 26.1%. This is according to industry research done by Grand View Research.
This shows a robust and expanding industry, as more and more customers are opting for the convenience and customization that print on demand offers.
As technology continues to improve, the demand for these services is likely to continue to rise, presenting exciting opportunities for growth and innovation in the print on demand market.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- In 2023, the global print on demand industry is worth USD 7.78 billion
By the end of 2023, the global print on demand industry is projected to reach an impressive valuation of USD 7.78 billion. This significant growth from its worth of USD 6.17 billion in 2022 highlights the continued success and expansion of the print on demand market.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, the industry has remained strong and resilient.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- The print on demand industry will be worth USD 39.40 billion by 2030
According to Grand View Research projections, the value of the POD industry will go from USD 6.17 billion in 2022 to USD 39.4 billion in 2030.
That’s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26.1%.
This correlates to the growth of ecommerce industry. With the rise of online shopping, customers are seeking more personalized and unique products, which print on demand services are able to provide. By using print on demand technology, ecommerce businesses can offer a wider variety of products without having to hold large amounts of inventory, reducing costs and increasing their product offerings.
Additionally, the print on demand model also enables ecommerce businesses to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly production methods. As the ecommerce industry continues to grow, it is likely that the demand for print on demand services will continue to increase as well.
Here’s the projected value of the print on demand industry up to 2030:
| 2022 | USD 6.17 billion |
| 2023 | USD 7.78 billion |
| 2024 | USD 9.81 billion |
| 2025 | USD 12.37 billion |
| 2026 | USD 15.6 billion |
| 2027 | USD 19.67 billion |
| 2028 | USD 24.81 billion |
| 2029 | USD 31.28 billion |
| 2030 | USD 39.4 billion |
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- Custom t-shirt printing market will double from 2022 till 2030
In 2022, the custom t-shirt printing market was valued at USD 4.3 billion. By 2030, it is estimated to grow to USD 9.18 billion. That’s an impressive CAGR of 9.9%.
The projected market growth over the next decade is indeed impressive. A CAGR of 9.9% is substantial, especially when considering the maturity of many markets. The growth of the custom t-shirt printing market can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing demand for personalized products and the rise of e-commerce.
Source: Grand View Research 2 (source links below)
- Interest for print on demand continues to grow in 2023
According to Google Trends, the interest in print on demand has been steadily increasing over the past five years, reaching its peak in January 2023.
This growth in interest reflects the growing interest in ecommerce and starting an online business, where print on demand is one of the most popular business models.
- The entertainment industry has a major impact on the growth of the print on demand market
According to Grand View Research, one of the key factors that contribute to this is the large number of people who are fans of movies, TV shows, and other forms of entertainment. Fans purchase apparel with slogans, logos, or designs related to their favorite characters or franchises.
With print on demand, businesses can quickly respond to changes in demand for different types of merchandise, allowing them to cater to the ever-changing interests of entertainment fans.
The ability to produce and sell merchandise related to popular movies and TV shows allows businesses to tap into a large and passionate customer base, leading to continued growth in the market.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- Print on demand merchandise is one of the preferred monetization techniques for Youtubers
POD provides content creators, influencers, and online celebrities with an easy and low-risk way to monetize their content and reach their audience.
According to Printify’s analysis of 30 Youtuber merch stores, 90% of Youtubers sell t-shirts, followed by hoodies (66%) and hats (40%).
The types of designs that content creators sell most frequently are their own quotes (37%), their logos (20%), channel or real name (17%), custom designs (14%), their faces (11%).
Source: Printify 1 (source links below)
- Only 20% of retailers are currently using or testing print on demand.
In 2021, Printful and Digital Commerce 360 surveyed 66 retailers and brands to understand their primary objectives and the key difficulties they face in boosting their e-commerce revenue. The survey results revealed that print on demand fulfillment emerged as a potential solution for retailers and brands to drive revenue growth, minimize risk in product testing, and fulfill other business goals.
However, despite the advantages of POD, only 20% of the companies surveyed have either adopted or are experimenting with this fulfillment method. This low adoption rate could change in the near future, as more consumer-facing businesses become aware of how POD can effectively address the needs of the modern market.
Source: Printful 3 (source links below)
- 75% of internet users consider personalization critical to a brand’s longevity
According to Adweek Intelligence study that surveyed more than 200 business-to-consumer marketers, personalization is essential to a brand’s long-term bottom-line success.
Personalization being one of print on demand industry’s biggest advantages, the growing demand for it is identifying a huge market growth opportunity.
By incorporating personalization into their marketing strategies, brands can build strong relationships with their customers and increase customer loyalty, which can ultimately contribute to the brand’s long-term success. Companies that fail to prioritize personalization may risk losing potential customers to competitors who are more attuned to their customers’ needs and preferences.
Source: Adweek (source links below)
- 44% of U.S. internet users would leave a brand that didn’t personalize content for one that does
Another important insight of the Adweek Intelligence study is that almost half of the internet users would leave a brand that doesn’t personalize content.
This, again, highlights the significance of personalization in today’s digital landscape and suggests that a major portion of consumers are willing to take action to find brands offering personalized content and products.
Source: Adweek (source links below)
- Search interest in “side hustle” has doubled from 2021 to 2023
The increase in search interest for “side hustle” as reported by Google Trends, demonstrates the growing trend of individuals seeking additional sources of income.
This trend can be attributed to a number of factors, including the uncertain economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of gig work and the gig economy, and the growth of online platforms that make it easier for people to start and grow a side business.
Print on demand provides an accessible and low-cost way for individuals to start and grow their own businesses, making it an ideal solution for those who are interested in starting a side hustle. The growth in the number of side hustles is likely to drive increased demand for POD products and services.
- The COVD-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the print on demand market.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy, and many industries have suffered as a result of the pandemic. However, the print on demand market has experienced significant growth and has been one of the few industries to benefit from the pandemic.
Here are some of the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the POD market:
- Increased demand for custom face masks: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased demand for personal protective equipment, including face masks. This increased demand has driven the sales of custom face masks and other POD products related to health and safety.
- Growth in the home décor product category: As people adapted to remote working and staying at home, there was a rise in sales of home décor products, such as cushions, wall art, and other decorative items.
- Lower barriers to entry: The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult for many businesses to operate, and many traditional retail stores have been forced to close. POD has provided a low-cost and low-risk alternative for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are looking to start or grow their businesses.
- Increased convenience: With more people shopping online due to the pandemic, the convenience of POD has become even more important. POD allows customers to purchase products without having to leave their homes, and it also enables businesses to offer a wider range of products and services without having to maintain large inventories.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
Print on demand company statistics
- Printful and Printify are leading the print on demand market
Printful and Printify are two of the leading players in the print-on-demand market. Both companies offer a range of services and features that make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to launch and scale their POD businesses.
Both companies offer a wide range of print on demand products, integrations with major ecommerce platforms, automated fulfillment, as well as high quality printing.
According to Google Trends, Printful has historically had more search interest than Printify. This trend changed in January 2023 when Printify took the leading position with a major spike in consumer interest.
The change is clearly visible in this Google Trends graph:
Other key players, as identified by Grand View Research, are Amplifier, Apliiq, CustomCat, Gelato, Gooten, JetPrint Fulfillment, Printed Mint, Printsome, Prodigi Group, Redbubble Group, T-Pop, Teelaunch, VistaPrint, Zazzle Inc.
Source: Grand View Research 1 and Google Trends (source links below)
Printful statistics
- “Printful” keyword receives 293K monthly searches in the US.
According to Ahrefs, Printful has a strong presence in the United States, with the majority of its search traffic (293K per month) coming from that region. This is a significant market for print-on-demand businesses, as the US is one of the largest e-commerce markets in the world. Having a strong presence in the US can be a significant advantage for Printful, as it allows the company to reach a large and growing customer base.
It’s also noteworthy that Printful is seeing some interest from other countries, such as the UK, Canada, Germany, and Spain. This indicates that the company has a growing international presence, and that there is demand for its services in other regions as well.
Source: Ahrefs
- The Printful website is visited by 5.1M users per month.
Data shared by SimilarWeb indicates that the Printful website gets around 5.1M visitors per month. It’s a substantial figure, and it suggests that Printful has a strong and engaged audience.
Source: SimilarWeb
- In 2021, Printful’s revenue reached more than $289 million.
Printful has seen significant growth over the past couple of years.
The increase of 39% from $208 million in 2020 to $289 million in 2021 is a substantial figure and suggests that the company has successfully increased its market share and customer base.
Source: Printful 1 (source links below)
- From 2013 to 2021, Printful has fulfilled 48 million items.
Printful has fulfilled over 48 million items and reached more than $1 billion in total gross merchandise value (GMV) since the start of its operations in 2013.
It’s a significant accomplishment and suggests that the company has established itself as a leader in the print-on-demand industry.
Source: Printful 1 (source links below)
- Printful now accepts cryptocurrency payments.
In July 2022, Printful teamed up with BitPay to accept cryptocurrency payments.
Accepting cryptocurrency payments can bring several benefits to Printful, including increased accessibility, lower transaction fees, and reduced fraud risk.
By accepting cryptocurrency payments, Printful can position itself as a technologically advanced and forward-thinking company, which can be attractive to customers who are looking for modern, innovative solutions.
Source: Printful 2 (source links below)
Printify statistics
- “Printify” keyword receives 75K monthly searches in the US.
According to Ahrefs, there are around 75K monthly searches for the keyword “Printify”. Although lower than the search interest for “Printful”, it’s still a significant result for the US market. This level of interest can be seen as a positive indicator for the brand, as it suggests that there is a strong demand for what it offers.
Following the US, there’s also interest coming from the UK, Canada, India, and Turkey.
Source: Ahrefs
- The Printify website is visited by 6.5M users per month.
Printify, despite receiving less search interest compared to its competitor Printful, has a more substantial online presence as demonstrated by its higher number of website visits. According to data from SimilarWeb, Printify receives approximately 6.5 million website visits per month, which is a significant increase compared to Printful’s 5.1 million visits.
This difference in website visits could suggest that Printify has a more dedicated user base, who are more likely to revisit the site and engage with its offerings. It could also indicate a higher level of customer loyalty, as customers are willing to actively seek out the Printify website.
Source: SimilarWeb
- In 2022, Printify had more than 2 million users.
According to Printify’s press release published on Labs of Latvia, this print on demand service connects 2M+ entrepreneurs with more than 70 print providers across the globe.
This fact highlights the company’s extensive network and reach in the print-on-demand industry. This network allows entrepreneurs to access a wide range of print providers and benefit from the diverse offerings of each provider, including product types, print quality, and price points.
Source: Labs of Latvia
- In 2021, Printify received a 45M investment.
Printify received a 45 million dollar investment in 2021 led by Index Ventures. This investment shows the increasing demand for custom printing products, as well as the potential for growth in the e-commerce industry.
According to TechCruch, Printify’s post-money valuation is just over $300 million.
Source: TechCruch
Print on demand product statistics
- The home decor segment of the print on demand industry is growing faster than others.
The segment is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.7%.
The growth of the home décor segment in the print-on-demand industry highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior. The shift towards remote work and increased time spent at home has led to a heightened focus on improving one’s living space. This has resulted in a growing demand for home décor products such as mats, cushions, posters, and others.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- Apparel segment is still the leader of the POD industry.
The apparel segment dominated the revenue share up until 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominant position from 2023 to 2030.
This can be attributed to the growing trend towards fashionable clothing, the widespread adoption of online retail in the fashion industry, and the younger generation’s preference for personalized and unique products.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- 68% of US customers are willing to pay more for sustainable products.
The demand for sustainable products is growing as consumers become more environmentally conscious. The print on demand approach helps meet this demand by eliminating overproduction, which reduces waste and minimizes the carbon footprint.
This trend is supported by the findings of a survey conducted by the Wharton School’s Baker Retailing Center and First Insight in 2021, which revealed that 68% of over 1,000 US consumers were willing to pay more for sustainable products, an increase from 58% when the same question was asked just two years prior.
This growing demand for sustainable products presents an opportunity for the print on demand industry to capitalize on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products.
Currently, both Printful and Printify offer sustainable product options and actively communicate the important of sustainability in the fashion industry.
Sources: First Insight, Printify, Printful (source links below)
Print on demand statistics by region
- The US has the largest market share in the print on demand market.
The US is leading the print on demand market due to a number of favorable factors.
The country has a strong technology infrastructure, a stable economy, and a significant presence of manufacturing facilities for print-on-demand products. These factors have led to the growth of the print on demand market in the US, attracting some of the largest print on demand companies such as Printful, Inc., Printify, Inc., and Zazzle Inc., which are headquartered in the US.
In addition, companies based outside North America such as Norway-based Gelato and Australia-based Redbubble Ltd. also have fulfillment centers in the US, further solidifying the US’ dominance.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
- Asia Pacific region is the fastest-growing print on demand market growing at a CAGR of 27.9%
Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR of 27.9% from 2022 to 2030.
The growth can be attributed to the existence of major market players. Growing internet penetration and smartphone adoption along with a large number of online shoppers are the key growth drivers for the regional market.
Technological advancements and the presence of several large textile units are expected to contribute to the growth of the regional market.
Source: Grand View Research 1 (source links below)
Print on demand printing method trends and statistics
- DTG (direct-to-garment) printing market is growing at a rate of 8.3%.
According to FMI Research, DTG printing market is predicted to reach US$ 1,82 billlion by 2032. That’s a CAGR of 8.3%.
This growth is driven by the rising trend of customization among the young population, who are demanding new and unique prints. With the younger generation showing a preference for individualized products, it is likely that the market will continue to grow in the coming years.
Other growth factors include the rising interest in eco-friendly printing, lower production costs, increased online sales, and the explosion of originality in clothing production.
Source: Future Marketing Insights (source links below)
- Sublimation printing market is growing at a rate of 16.8%, twice faster as the DTG market.
The global sublimation market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8% from 2018 to 2028.
The increasing popularity of dye sublimation printing is due to its ability to produce high-quality photographic results. The growing demand for high-quality prints, coupled with technological advancements in this field, is likely to drive the growth of the dye sublimation market in the coming years.
Source: Mordor Intelligence (source links below)
- Print on demand companies are jumping on the embroidery trend
Leading print on demand companies Printful and Printify have recognized the growing demand for embroidered products and have started offering embroidery on demand services alongside DTG printing and sublimation.
Embroidery is a popular choice for customizing clothing and accessories, as it provides a more durable and premium look compared to printing.
Currently, both companies embroider hats, hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and other customizable products.
Source: Printful and Printify product catalogs
Final thoughts on print on demand statistics
And that wraps up our collection of the latest print on demand statistics and trends that you need to pay attention to. Use these statistics to plan ahead and adapt to changes in the ecommerce landscape.
Sources
- Grand View Research 1: Print On Demand Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Platform
- Printful 1: Printful reports 115% growth in revenue
- Printful 2: Printful partners with BitPay
- TechCrunch: Printify bags $45M
- Labs of Latvia: Printify announces new management team leaders
- Printify 1: We Analyzed 30 Best-Performing YouTuber Merch Stores
- Printful 3: Print on Demand Report
- Printify 2: State of POD 2022
- AdWeek: What Personalization Success Really Looks Like
- First Insight: The Sustainability Disconnect Between Consumers and Retail Executives
- Future Marketing Insights: DTG Market Insights
- Mordor Intelligence: Global Dye Sublimation Market
- Grand View Research 2: Global T-Shirt Printing Market
Image source: Storyset