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Booming is the world of ecommerce and print-on-demand. The industry has shown strength even through the whirlwind that has been the 2020s and is now bigger than ever in 2024.
Contained in this blog post are the latest data, trends, and predictions for the print-on-demand industry. Harness this crucial information for your marketing and business growth in the current year. Below are the topics we will delve into:
- Print-on-demand statistics and related industry market growth trends
- Trending print-on-demand products and categories
- Trends from successful print-on-demand businesses
- Ecommerce platform trends
Interested? Let’s dive straight in!
1. The print-on-demand industry is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.3%
Expected is a significant growth in the print-on-demand market size over the next decade. In 2022, the global print-on-demand market stood at $5.397 billion. Projections indicate it will reach $39.035 billion by 2031. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 25.3%.
Print-on-demand market size, compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the past, and the forecast until 2031. Source: Straits Research
63% is the percentage of print-on-demand (POD) customers who prefer this fulfillment model due to its environmental impact. Unlike traditional manufacturing (bulk production before sales) and other dropshipping models, POD only produces the product post-sale. This minimizes the risk of production costs and eliminates excess inventory that could end up in a landfill.
2. The US is the largest market for print-on-demand
The largest regional market for print-on-demand currently is North America, with the United States hosting some of the most successful print-on-demand companies globally, such as Printful and Zazzle. Other companies like Redbubble and Gelato also have manufacturing facilities in the region.
It should be noted thatThe majority of the top-performing POD businesses worldwide, accounting for 75.8%, are operated from the US, which not only has the most print-on-demand stores.
Source: Dropshipping.com
While the North America region leads the global market, other regions are experiencing growth, with the Asia Pacific region projected to have a significant CAGR of 27.9% from 2020 to 2030 in the print-on-demand market.
3. The driver for the POD market: rising demand for custom and unique products
Personalization is now an expectation for many consumers (36%), with 48% willing to wait longer for customized products
Source: Printful
Given that print-on-demand products are produced on demand without minimum order requirements, meeting the demand for personalized items is possible while remaining profitable.
4. 25% of consumers are inclined to spend more on sustainable products
Among millennials, this figure rises to 73%. The demand for eco-friendly products and sustainability are key factors driving the popularity of print-on-demand, offering a sustainable alternative to fast fashion through on-demand production.
Source: Printful
5. The eco-friendly clothing market is forecasted to achieve $10.1 billion in global annual sales by 2025
The sustainable fashion market, currently valued at $6.5 billion, is set to nearly double by the year’s end.
Although fashion brands typically target women, men aged 25–34 are the demographic most likely to purchase sustainable fashion.
With major fashion brands neglecting this segment, brands have an opportunity to reconsider their marketing strategies to appeal to this audience.
6. The average monthly search volume for “print-on-demand” is 132.7K searches
Source: Semrush
Every month, worldwide, the keyword “print on demand” is searched 132,700 times, with the US leading in search volume at 33,100 monthly searches.
7. Top trending print-on-demand categories include apparel, home decor, drinkware, and accessories
Source: Grand View Research
Apparel consistently leads in top-selling print-on-demand categories annually. The on-demand production capability enables sellers to quickly adopt high-fashion trends affordably.
8. The top trending apparel print-on-demand products are t-shirts, sportswear, and leggings
Among the print-on-demand fashion industry’s royalty is the timeless t-shirt. T-shirt printing marked the genesis for many print-on-demand suppliers, Printful included. While the industry has expanded to encompass various techniques and products, digital t-shirt printing remains a top choice.
Check out: 12 T-Shirt Design Trends for 2024
The popularity of laid-back, comfortable styles remains evident in trending products like leggings, sportswear, and custom hoodies.
Source: Printful
Denim jackets are also experiencing a surge in customer interest, offering online sellers the opportunity to price jackets in the premium segment.
When it comes to pricing, what profit margin should you aim for in 2024?
9. The average print-on-demand product profit margin is 20%
Many online sellers have found 20% to be a successful profit margin. This figure strikes a balance between selling products at a competitive price and maintaining profitability to sustain operations and occasional discounts.
However, certain niches and products have allowed sellers to achieve profit margins as high as 60%!
10. Around the globe, there are approximately 228K print-on-demand stores in operation presently
Print-on-demand supports about 5% of all online retail stores. Chances are, your home likely houses items created using print-on-demand services.
11. The average success rate for businesses engaged in print-on-demand stands at 24%
Research from Dropshipping.com indicates that 24% of print-on-demand stores remain active in the long term. Intense competition in the industry may contribute to this statistic.
Starting a print-on-demand business is accessible to newcomers and experts alike. However, the low entry barrier results in a crowded market. The key to success lies in differentiation through niche market focus, exceptional product design, and effective marketing strategies.