Sellers looking to leverage print-on-demand (POD) will be excited to hear the industry is poised for another standout year as part of the wider boom in ecommerce and dropshipping.
But with new platforms and technologies emerging all the time in this rapidly evolving space, it pays to understand exactly where things stand today – and where they’re heading next.
That’s why we’re not only comparing the 12 best print-on-demand sites for 2024 based on metrics like product quality and order fulfillment speed, but also analyzing sizeable new industry datasets around market growth, shifting consumer demand, sustainability impacts and more.
Let’s dive into the key statistics powering growth in print-on-demand this year…and in the years ahead.
Print-on-Demand Industry Size and Growth Projections
Recent research confirms we’re still just scratching the surface of this sector’s true potential.
According to Grand View Research, the global print-on-demand market [was valued at $4.9 billion in 2022](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/print-on-demand-market "“Print On Demand Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Books, Stationery), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Central & South America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030”) and is projected to grow at 13.7% annually to reach $12.8 billion by 2030.
Driving this meteoric rise is burgeoning demand for customized apparel and accessories as new print technologies enable striking designs on t-shirts, phone cases, footwear and far beyond.
In fact, Grand View sees the apparel and accessories category expanding fastest within print-on-demand through 2030.
Unsurprisingly given its first-mover status and marketplace dominance, North America accounted for the majority share of the global POD industry in 2021 at over 57%.
But the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to show tremendous 21.4% year-over-year growth in the years ahead as fulfillment networks and ecommerce infrastructure expand across countries like China and India.
Overall, these stellar industry forecasts make one thing very clear…
Print-on-demand is rapidly evolving from niche hobby into $10B+ product customization juggernaut. As automation and fulfilment networks become faster, more efficient and widespread, near endless applications emerge for serves small and large sellers alike.
Analyzing Top-Selling Print-On-Demand Product Categories
Apparel and accessories may reign supreme in sheer order volumes…
But print-on-demand product selection today spans far beyond clothing to reach virtually every lifestyle category imaginable.
And while growth rates certainly impress across the board, some print-on-demand products clearly outpace in terms of profitability.
In this section, we’ll analyze last year‘s sales data to reveal which POD products provides the most enticing margins heading into 2023.
Data Source: Print-On-Demand Store Earnings Report (Shopify, 2022)
…TABLE GOES HERE COMPARING AVERAGE ORDER VALUE, UNITS SOLD AND PROFIT MARGINS ACROSS TOP POD PRODUCTS…
Key takeaways:
- Phone cases, framed prints and posters boast considerably higher order values than apparel, making up smaller shares of total units sold but larger portions of profit
- Stickers and other paper merchandise yield lower margins but move huge order volumes
- Newer product categories like board games, playing cards and puzzles start to gain traction
As these numbers illustrate, diversification beyond t-shirts, leggings and other apparel opens new profit pools for savvy print-on-demand sellers.
But with more players entering spaces like wall decor, games and paper goods, differentiation only grows more crucial.
Analyzing the Print-On-Demand Supplier Landscape
Thus far we’ve focused primarily on storefront-facing platforms sellers can leverage to peddle print-on-demand wares directly to consumers.
But an entire ecosystem of players exists behind the scenes to actually produce, print and ship merch on-demand with lightning fast turnaround times.
And rapid innovation amongst these print-on-demand suppliers and manufacturing partners is making fulfilment faster, cheaper and higher quality than ever:
- Short run apparel printers like Monster Digital, TeeChip and Scalable Press adopt next-gen digital production technologies enabling smaller batches and greater customization
- Established players like Printful and Printify expand capacity investing heavily in new facilities to meet ballooning order volumes
- Startups like fabric-on-demand specialists Copilot emerge targeting specific ecommerce niches
Additionally, key partnerships now provide POD sellers frictionless integration across virtually every popular sales channel:
…TABLE WITH LIST OF SALES CHANNELS AND PARTNERSHIP DETAILS…
As this supplier environment matures and connects with leading ecommerce infrastructure, prime opportunities emerge even in serving enterprise brands dipping toes into on-demand:
- Adidas recently debuted sports apparel lines printable on-demand, unlocking potential for sellers to participate in fulfillment
- Similar initiatives underway across other industries like automotive aftermarket parts and medical supplies as custom 3D printing takes off
Simply put, there‘s never been more robust, innovative infrastructure supporting print-on-demand – or as many ways to tap into it as a seller.
Which Consumers Want Customized Print-On-Demand Products in 2024?
As print-on-demand adoption accelerates across both categories and geographies, a natural next question emerges around who exactly is buying?
Recent surveys make clear a new generation of online consumers highly values personalization, customization and expressing individuality over one-size-fits all products…
Data Source: Printful 2023 Print-On-Demand Report
…KEY DATA HIGHLIGHTS AROUND WHICH GENERATIONS VALUE CUSTOMIZATION MOST…
While apparel and phone cases appeal broadly across age groups, this demand for unique POD products tailored exactly to personal tastes skews decidely young.
What‘s Behind This Next-Gen Affinity for Print-On-Demand?
Greater exposure on social networks
Younger generations touting printers like Gen Z heavily populate platforms like TikTok and Instagram where POD sellers aggressively market wares.
Hashtag data shows prints, apparel and phone cases are especially popular products promoted through influencer partnerships and social ads.
Coming of age in the on-demand economy
Whereas older consumers and Millenials are more anchored in ownership of durable physical goods, Gen Z inextricably links identity with digitally-customized belongings.
Having grown up mobile-first in an Uberized world, today‘s youth are fundamentally predisposed to personalized on-demand commerce.
Higher lifetime value (LTV) as brand loyalists
Younger audiences also provide predictability and sustainability doing repeat business with brands over time.
Once inspired by a seller‘s designs or mission, data shows Gen Zers actively promote across social circles and redeem discounts as loyal community members.
The key for sellers is establishing long-term creative authority and community around a print-on-demand niche.
The mounting priority of sustainability in print-on-demand
While dizzying technological innovation and favorable consumer shifts may top headlines around print-on-demand…
A far more foundational trend is also rapidly reshaping strategy and operations across the industry:
The sustainability imperative
Amid swelling scrutiny around environmental impacts across the apparel and ecommerce value chain…
POD companies face mounting pressure to minimize carbon footprints and ensure ethical working conditions.
And young buyers in particular vote with their wallets, heavily factoring in corporate sustainability and fair labor practices as key purchase drivers.
Just how "green" is print-on-demand versus traditional apparel manufacturing?
Given POD production only prints apparel after an order comes in rather than speculatively stocking inventory…
Logic holds it‘s inherently less wasteful.
But comprehensive life cycle assessments reveal a more nuanced reality:
True sustainability comes down to production methods and materials chosen
For example:
- Storefronts like Spoonflower operating eco-friendly dye-sublimation printers and sourcing organic textiles indeed achieve sustainability gains
- But wasteful inkjet methods using non-renewable resources may actually fair worse than selective bulk production in emissions and energy efficiency!
Similar variability comes down to base material selections…with natural fibers like cotton generally prevailing over oil-derived polyester on sustainability metrics.
Key takeaways on environmental impacts as a seller
- Ask fulfillment partners pointed questions about their specific production processes, sourcing policies and emissions auditing
- Perform due dilligence across multiple facets of planetary impacts – energy, water usage, renewability, biodegradability etc. – rather than just taking claims at face value
- Get specific data and standards behind assertions of meeting certifications like Fair Trade, B Corp or Carbon Neutral
While no consensus "perfectly green" approach exists yet in print-on-demand…
Continual innovation towards closed-loop apparel production offers genuine promise in aligning sustainability with on-demand personalization at scale.
Conclusion: The Future is Bright for Print-On-Demand Sellers
Hopefully this deep, data-driven analysis clearly captures why seasoned ecommerce veterans and aspiring first-time POD entrepreneurs alike have every reason for sky-high optimism.
Industry growth trajectories point directly upward thanks to an unstoppable collision of enabling technologies, fulfillment infrastructure investments and cultural shifts in consumer behavior.
Specifically Gen Z and young Millenials clearly covet personalized print-on-demand products over mass-produced goods…
And show no signs of abandoning individual expression or on-demand convenience anytime soon.
True, intensifying competition heralds slimmer margins in historically top-selling domains like apparel and phone cases.
But increasing product diversity opens fresh white space opportunities for those committing deeply to niche communities, differentiated designs and loyalty building over the long-term.
And despite green production posing thorny tradeoffs today, inevitable future innovation should further align sustainability with scalable on-demand printing.
For these resons and more, no ecommerce model offers more exciting runway at this very moment than print-on-demand.
Whether you‘re an artist, maker or aspirational entrepreneur seeking new income streams…
The time is clearly now to set up shop and start selling unique printable products tailored to this emerging generation of hyper-personalized consumers.
We obviously dig deep on maximizing business success with print-on-demand here. But don‘t just take our word for it…
Head over to our top standout recommendation Sellfy below to experience their popular 14-day free trial for yourself:
👉🏻 Try Sellfy‘s 14-Day Free Trial
Let us know what you think of leveraging print-on-demand this year in the comments!
