Print on demand is taking the ecommerce world by storm. This exciting business model, which allows sellers to offer customized products printed and shipped only after a customer buys, is growing at a blistering pace.
For entrepreneurs, print on demand represents a uniquely accessible and low-risk path to building a profitable online business. But as the industry matures and competition heats up, understanding the data, trends, and keys to success is critical.
In this in-depth guide, we go beyond the basics to bring you a comprehensive look at print on demand statistics for 2024 and beyond. Drawing on the latest industry data and expert insights, we‘ll cover:
- The multi-billion dollar size and growth of the global print on demand market
- Print on demand success rates and profit potential
- Who is actually succeeding in print on demand and how they‘re doing it
- The product categories, niches and trends driving the industry forward
- Key strategies for print on demand success in an increasingly competitive landscape
- The future of print on demand and trends to watch in the coming years
Whether you‘re just getting started with print on demand or looking to take your business to the next level, this guide will give you the knowledge and insights you need. Let‘s dive in.
Print on Demand Market Size & Growth: The Numbers Behind the Hype
First, let‘s quantify the scale and trajectory of the print on demand industry globally. The headline numbers are staggering:
- In 2023, print on demand is estimated to be a $7.67 billion market worldwide, according to Grand View Research
- Looking ahead, the global print on demand market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.8% to reach $38.21 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research)
To put those numbers in perspective, the total global ecommerce market is forecast to hit $6.3 trillion by 2024, meaning print on demand could represent over 5% of all online sales by the end of the decade.
Several factors are fueling the rise of print on demand:
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Growing consumer demand for customization and unique products: 36% of consumers are interested in personalized products or services. (Deloitte)
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Advances in digital printing and manufacturing: The quality, speed and affordability of print on demand production has improved dramatically in recent years.
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Ecommerce and global logistics infrastructure: Platforms like Shopify and innovations in global shipping and fulfillment enable print on demand goods to reach customers virtually anywhere.
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The rise of the creator economy: With over 50 million independent content creators, curators, and community builders including social media influencers, bloggers, and videographers, more people than ever are looking to monetize their audience. (SignalFire)
The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role in accelerating print on demand adoption, as many traditional retailers scrambled to add on-demand capabilities and consumers shifted spending to ecommerce channels.
Digging deeper into the print on demand market data, several interesting trends emerge:
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Apparel and clothing dominate: Clothing and apparel items like t-shirts, hoodies, hats and bags account for nearly 40% of print on demand sales. Home and living products like wall art, mugs, and blankets are the next most popular category.
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United States leads, developing markets grow fast: The United States is the clear leader in print on demand currently, with a market worth $2.32 billion in 2024 and forecast to reach $10.66 billion by 2030. However, growth is picking up rapidly in Europe (26.3% CAGR through 2030) and especially the Asia-Pacific region (27.5% CAGR through 2030). (Grand View Research)
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Significant untapped demand: Industry research suggests current print on demand providers are fulfilling only a small portion of potential demand, with significant growth opportunities in product categories like shoes, furniture, jewelry, electronics and toys (Printful)
Here‘s a table summarizing the growth prospects for print on demand by region:
| Region | 2023 Market Size (Billions) | 2030 Projected Market Size (Billions) | CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | $2.32 | $10.66 | 24.4% |
| Europe | $1.81 | $9.65 | 26.3% |
| Asia Pacific | $1.53 | $9.15 | 27.5% |
| Other | $0.64 | $2.87 | 25.6% |
| Global | $7.67 | $38.21 | 25.8% |
Source: Grand View Research
In short, print on demand represents a large and rapidly growing market opportunity that is still in the early innings. But what about print on demand at the individual business level? Let‘s take a look at some top print on demand stores.
Anatomy of a Successful Print on Demand Business
To better understand what‘s driving the growth of the print on demand market, it‘s helpful to examine some real-world success stories. While hard data on individual store performance is limited, here are a few examples of print on demand businesses that have achieved notable results:
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Yogi Bare: This UK-based seller of yoga mats, clothing and accessories has generated over £1 million in annual sales through a combination of print on demand and in-house production. By focusing on a specific niche and investing in high-quality, eco-friendly products, Yogi Bare has built a loyal customer base primarily through social media and word-of-mouth.
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Piper Lou: Launched in 2016, this print on demand store sells a curated collection of trendy clothing and accessories primarily targeted to women. Piper Lou has leveraged Instagram influencer marketing to drive traffic and sales, reaching over 50,000 followers and generating an estimated $500,000 in annual revenue.
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Zen Monkey Studios: This print on demand business creates unique designs in various niches including pets, professions, and hobbies. By selling across multiple sales channels including Etsy, Amazon, and their own Shopify site, Zen Monkey has built a thriving operation, with estimated annual sales of $1 million+.
What can we learn from successful print on demand businesses like these?
Some common success factors include:
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Distinctive niche and target audience: The most successful stores focus on a specific customer profile and tailor their products and marketing accordingly. Rather than try to please everyone, top merchants zero in on an audience they can serve uniquely well.
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Eye-catching, original designs: In a crowded market, having designs that stand out is critical. Top print on demand sellers often either have strong in-house design capabilities or exclusive partnerships with freelance designers.
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Multi-channel sales approach: While having your own brand site is important for building customer relationships and margins, successful print on demand businesses often leverage 3rd party marketplaces and platforms to broaden their reach and diversify their traffic. For example, nearly 70% of top Shopify print on demand stores also sell on at least one other platform like Etsy, Amazon or Ebay. (Printful)
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Targeted, data-driven marketing: Successful print on demand businesses are sophisticated marketers, leveraging data to optimize their ad targeting, email/SMS marketing, influencer partnerships and more. They invest in content marketing, SEO and social media to build owned audiences and reduce reliance on paid channels over time.
Of course, every print on demand success story is unique, and the specific tactics that work for one store may not apply directly to another. But by studying the commonalities and principles behind top performers, aspiring merchants can gain valuable insights and ideas.
So what kind of financial results are successful print on demand businesses achieving? While comprehensive data is limited, here are some of the best estimates we found:
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According to Printful, the average monthly revenue for the top 10% of their sellers is $3,791. The top 1% of Printful sellers make an average of $24,833 per month.
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A 2021 survey of nearly 500 print on demand sellers by Printify found that stores with a strong brand and differentiated designs earn 40-60% profit margins on average.
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Top print on demand sellers generate the bulk of their sales from a small number of winning products. Stores with 100+ product variants are the norm, but often 80% of revenue comes from just 5-10 hero SKUs. (Printify)
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The most successful print on demand sellers often expand into other revenue streams and business models over time. Examples include dropshipping, wholesale/private label, affiliate marketing and digital products. Over 60% of $100K/year Shopify merchants sell via 3 or more business models. (Littledata)
The takeaway? With the right strategies and execution, print on demand businesses can achieve strong sales and profitability. However, like any ecommerce model, success is not guaranteed and requires continual adaptation and optimization.
Next, let‘s take a look at some of the key trends and drivers that will shape print on demand in the coming years.
The Future of Print on Demand: 5 Trends to Watch
As we‘ve seen, print on demand is a dynamic and fast-growing industry. But where is it headed in the future?
Here are 5 trends we believe will define the print on demand landscape in 2024 and beyond:
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Increased competition and market saturation: As more entrepreneurs enter the space and existing players scale up, competition for customers will intensify. Succeeding will require a clear differentiation strategy, whether through product selection, branding, customer experience or other means.
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Expansion into new product categories: Print on demand has historically been dominated by a few core categories like t-shirts and mugs. Expect to see significant expansion and diversification into new products like shoes, furniture, electronics, toys and more. Merchants who can spot emerging product trends and quickly bring them to market will have an advantage.
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More sophisticated personalization and customization: Basic customization options like choosing colors and adding text will become table stakes. The next frontier is fully personalized products adapted to individual customers. Think custom-fitted clothing, bespoke furniture, algorithmically generated designs, and more. As AI and manufacturing tech advances, the possibilities for cost-effective customization will multiply.
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Sustainability as a key differentiator: Consumers are increasingly considering environmental impact in their purchasing decisions. Print on demand is inherently more sustainable than traditional production given it minimizes wasteful overproduction. Expect to see more print on demand businesses touting their sustainability credentials and introducing eco-friendly materials, inks, and processes.
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Globalization and localization in parallel: The print on demand model is ideally suited for global ecommerce, since products can be manufactured and shipped from almost anywhere. Successful merchants will embrace this by offering their products to international audiences and tailoring their marketing and customer experience to local cultures and languages. At the same time, there will also be opportunities to serve hyperlocal markets with specialized products only available in specific geographies.
To illustrate the growth trajectory of print on demand in the coming years, here is a chart showing the projected global market size through 2030:
[Chart showing projected global print on demand market size from 2023 to 2030, growing from $7.67B to $38.21B. Data source: Grand View Research]Of course, these trends are just predictions based on current data and expert analysis. The only certainty in a market growing and evolving as quickly as print on demand is change itself. Entrepreneurs and businesses who remain agile and adapt to new realities as they emerge will be best positioned for success.
Conclusion
In the world of ecommerce, print on demand is a rare breed: an industry experiencing exponential growth and rising adoption, yet still accessible to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses.
As we‘ve seen in this deep dive, the data around print on demand is compelling:
- Multi-billion dollar market size and double-digit projected growth rates
- Strong profit potential and success rates for well-executed businesses
- Expanding product catalog and emerging trends like personalization and sustainability
- Growing global demand and opportunities to serve international and niche markets
However, the data also makes clear that success in print on demand is far from guaranteed. With thousands of new merchants entering the market and established players investing heavily, competition is fierce.
To succeed in print on demand in 2024 and beyond will require focus, creativity and adaptability. Entrepreneurs who can spot untapped opportunities, create unique products and brands, and build authentic connections with their customers will have the best chance of rising above the fray.
At the same time, the print on demand ecosystem is rapidly evolving to support the needs of merchants. Platforms like Shopify, Etsy and Amazon are investing in print on demand integrations and support. Print on demand providers like Printful, Printify and Gelato are expanding their product catalogs, lowering production costs, and speeding up fulfillment times.
The net result is that the barriers to launching and scaling a print on demand business keep getting lower, while the potential upside keeps getting bigger. For ecommerce entrepreneurs seeking a low-risk, high-reward business model they can grow over time, print on demand remains one of the most compelling opportunities out there.
So if you‘ve been thinking about starting your own print on demand store, there‘s never been a better time to take the leap. To learn more about building a print on demand business in 2024, check out the following resources:
The future looks bright for print on demand. Will you be a part of it?
