15 Print-on-Demand Statistics and Trends You Can’t Miss in 2024

The world of ecommerce and print-on-demand is booming. Even during the whirlwind that’s been the 2020s, the ecommerce and print-on-demand industry bolstered in strength. As a result, it’s bigger than ever in 2024.

In this blog post, we’ve put together the latest print-on-demand industry data, trends, and predictions. Use this key information to power your marketing and business growth for the ongoing year. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• 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

Sound good? Let’s jump right in!

1. The print-on-demand industry is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.3%

The print-on-demand market size is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. In 2022, the global print-on-demand market was valued at $5.397 billion. It’s projected to reach $39.035 billion by 2031. That’s 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% of print-on-demand (POD) customers prefer this fulfillment model due to its environmental impact. Unlike traditional manufacturing (bulk production before sales) and other dropshipping models, POD only makes the product post-sale. That means less gambling with production costs and no inventory stock that could end up in a landfill.

2. The US is the largest market for print-on-demand

North America is currently the largest regional market for print-on-demand, with the United States being home to some of the most profitable print-on-demand companies in the world, including Printful and Zazzle. More companies, like Redbubble and Gelato, have manufacturing facilities in the region as well.

It’s important to note that not only does the US have the most print-on-demand stores, but it’s also home to the majority of the top-performing POD businesses. This means that 75.8% of the crème de la crème POD businesses worldwide are run from the US.

Source: Dropshipping.com

While North America remains the leader in the global market, other regions are picking up speed. In fact, the Asia Pacific region is expected to have the most significant growth in the print-on-demand market over the next few years, with a projected CAGR of 27.9% from 2020 to 2030.

Learn more: Is Print-on-Demand Profitable? 

3. The growing demand for custom and unique products is a vital driver of the POD market 

Personalization is no longer a luxury of select premium brands. A lot of consumers (36%) expect some form of personalization by default and would even be ready to wait longer for customized products (48%).

Source: Printful

Since print-on-demand products are made to order with no minimums, even an order of a single product with a specific design can be fulfilled. This opens the door to satisfying a demand for personalized and unique products while still remaining profitable.

Learn more: 8 Customized Product Examples: Going Beyond the Ordinary

4. 25% of consumers say they’d spend more money if the product is sustainable

And if we look at just millennials, that amount jumps to 73%. Sustainability and the increased demand for eco-friendly products are other key factors boosting print-on-demand popularity. Print-on-demand has become the sustainable alternative to fast fashion—products are made only once they’re ordered, meaning fewer items go unsold and end up as waste.

Source: Printful

Valuable read: What Is Sustainable Fashion and Can I Dress Cool While the Earth Is on Fire?

5. The eco-friendly clothing segment will reach $10.1 billion in global annual sales by 2025

Currently valued at $6.5 billion, the sustainable fashion market share is about to almost double by the end of this year.

While fashion brands notoriously focus mostly on women as their target audience, men (aged 25–34) are actually the most likely demographic to purchase sustainable fashion products.

With large fashion brands looking the other way, it’s your chance to revisit your marketing messaging and see how it can cater to this audience.

6. The average monthly search volume for “print-on-demand” is 132.7K searches

Source: Semrush

Every month, the keyword “print on demand” is Googled 132,700 times worldwide. Naturally, since the US is the biggest print-on-demand market, it’s also where people search for it the most—33,100 times a month.

7. The top trending print-on-demand categories are apparel, home decor, drinkware, and accessories

Source: Grand View Research

Year after year, apparel leads the way in the top-selling print-on-demand categories. POD’s personalization allows online sellers to imitate high fashion trends like specific designs, patterns, and color schemes for less than handmade fashion.

Because the products are made on demand, there’s also no waiting time before you can start selling. This, in turn, allows sellers to take over these trends quickly and with small investments.

Check out our customer Millian Couture, starting a clothing brand and making her debut in New York Fashion Week with print-on-demand products:

However, don’t overlook other contestants. Home decor gives the apparel segment a run for its money—home decor has the highest CAGR of 26%. This could mainly be explained by a growing desire for personalized indoor spaces. This leads most people to either DIY projects or custom solutions like print-on-demand.

With major drinkware brands like Yeti and Stanley making the news last year, print-on-demand tumblers and travel mugs saw a huge boost in sales. The familiar drinkware shape allows sellers to cash in on the trend with their own design twist.

8. The top trending apparel print-on-demand products are t-shirts, sportswear, and leggings

Long live the t-shirt—a king in the print-on-demand fashion industry. T-shirt printing was the beginning for many print-on-demand suppliers, Printful included. While print-on-demand companies have expanded to other techniques and products, digital printing on t-shirts still remains at the top.

Read also: 12 T-Shirt Design Trends for 2024

Judging by other trending products—leggings, sportswear, and custom hoodies—people are still favoring laid-back, comfortable fashion.

Source: Printful

Denim jackets are also seeing a spike in customer interest. It’s great news for online sellers as they can price jackets in the premium range.

Speaking of pricing, what profit margin should you set in 2024?

9. The average print-on-demand product profit margin is 20%

Most online sellers remain successful with a 20% profit margin. This is a good middle ground where you can sell products for a reasonable price while still keeping the lights on and comfortably running discounts here and there.

However, depending on the niche and product, there are sellers who report profit margins of up to 60%!

10. There are around 228K print-on-demand stores right now around the world

About 5% of all online retail stores are at least partially supported by print-on-demand. Chances are—there’s probably something made with print-on-demand in your home right now.

11. The average business success rate with print-on-demand is 24%

According to Dropshipping.com research, out of all the stores people set up with print-on-demand, 24% stay active in the long term. The fierce competition could explain this.

It’s easy to start in print-on-demand, drawing in both newbies and pros. But, this low entry barrier also crowds the space. That’s why standing out is key. Success goes to those who find special niche markets, design great items, and promote well.

12. Promotional products made $26.1 billion in sales last year

Promotional products (commonly known as swag) are a huge niche in POD. The most popular category is clothes, making up 26.1% of the sales.

If clothing (like hoodies or t-shirts) doesn't fit your brand, check out the runner-ups: drinkware (10.3%), bags and travel accessories (7.9%), and hats (7.2%).

Source: Printful

13. The most successful POD stores add, on average, 7 new products to their store monthly

Following the example of the top 1% of print-on-demand businesses, you should design and add about 7 new products every month. To avoid overcrowded catalogs and customer decision paralysis, review your offering regularly.

Some stores, like Whiskey Riff above, add new designs weekly. Source: Whiskey Riff

Every 1–2 months, see which products don’t do well in sales and remove them. Before you do, however, test clearance sales to bid a profitable farewell to your product.

14. Direct-to-garment printing (DTG) is growing at 8.3% CAGR

The most popular POD technique, DTG, is set to reach $1.82 billion by 2032. While it’s the most common printing technique, sublimation printing is giving it a run for its money.

The sublimation printing market is currently growing twice as fast—at 16.8% CAGR.

Source: Printful

15. Shopify hosts 62.8% of the POD and dropshipping stores

Where do all these stores sell their print-on-demand products? Most of them prefer Shopify over all other ecommerce platforms. With intuitive online store builders and already integrated apps with the biggest POD suppliers, it’s the place to be.

Your online platform, depending on the price and available tools, can make or break your online store’s success. While Shopify is the crowd favorite, check out our online platform comparison.

That’s it for print-on-demand statistics 2024—now what?

Wrapping up our dive into the print-on-demand statistics for 2024, it’s clear this industry is booming, and there’s a ton of room for growth and innovation.

From the insights and trends we’ve covered, you’ve got a solid foundation to tweak, transform, or totally upend your strategies to better suit what consumers are digging right now.

To quickly recap what you can do with all this data:

• Update your product catalog with the most popular items: apparel, home decor, and drinkware

• Keep your store fresh by adding new products monthly

• Check consumer preferences and upgrade/replace low-performing designs

• Revisit your profit margins and aim for at least the 20% average

• Review your marketing messaging and visuals—improving these could help you raise profit margins

• See how your brand addresses and supports sustainability

Take this as your nudge to experiment, evaluate, and iterate. Your print-on-demand business has the potential not just to grow but to thrive in 2024.

Let’s make it a year where you both meet the market’s demands and anticipate them, creating an online business that’s as dynamic and responsive as the ecommerce industry itself.

Read next: Is Print-on-Demand Worth It in 2024?