Custom T-Shirt Printing Global Market Report 2024

Custom t-shirt printing involves using inkjet technology to print fine, photographic designs directly onto t-shirts based on customer demand. It allows for the addition of desired patterns or designs to create personalized t-shirts. Various techniques are employed for achieving these prints, including screen printing, dye sublimation, and the direct-to-garment (DTG) method.

The primary custom t-shirt printing techniques include screen printing, digital printing, and plot printing. Screen printing utilizes a stenciled mesh screen to press ink through and create a printed design. This method is popular for producing vibrant canvases, posters, and artwork, and it is also employed for printing fabrics, clothes, and textiles. Custom t-shirt printing designs encompass graphic designs and artwork, available through both offline and online distribution channels.

The custom t-shirt printing market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides custom t-shirt printing market statistics, including custom t-shirt printing industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a custom t-shirt printing market share, detailed custom t-shirt printing market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the custom t-shirt printing industry. This custom t-shirt printing market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.

The custom t-shirt printing market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.46 billion in 2023 to $8.22 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The growth in the historic period of custom t-shirt printing can be attributed to several factors, including the trend of customization and personalization, the growth of e-commerce and online printing platforms, increased promotional and marketing activities, collaboration with the apparel and fashion industry, cultural and social trends, and the rise in the number of small businesses and startups.

The custom t-shirt printing market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.1 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The growth in the forecast period of custom t-shirt printing can be attributed to various factors, including the increasing demand for sports and event merchandise, corporate branding needs, global market expansion, the popularity of pop culture and fandom merchandise, and the ongoing trends in athleisure and activewear. Major trends expected in the forecast period include the adoption of virtual try-on and augmented reality, the use of eco-friendly inks and materials, a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly printing practices, the rise of on-demand printing with quick turnaround, and advancements in digital printing technologies.

The growth of the custom t-shirt market is anticipated to receive a significant boost from increasing government investments in sporting activities. Customized t-shirts play a pivotal role in sporting events by providing a distinctive appearance to team players and enhancing team visibility. As an illustration, in 2021, UK Sports, a UK-based government agency dedicated to major sporting events, allocated approximately £41 million (USD 55.56 million) to support the UK's bids for hosting events such as the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, the 2026 Tour de France Grand Départ, and feasibility activities for a potential UK and Ireland bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Another example is Odisha's investment of Rs 650 crore (USD 86.87 million) in Rourkela in preparation for hosting the 2023 Hockey World Cup. The escalating government investments in sporting activities are a driving force behind the growth of the custom t-shirt market.

The surge in e-commerce is poised to drive the expansion of the custom t-shirt printing market. E-commerce, involving the online buying and selling of goods and services, provides a platform for custom t-shirt printing businesses to establish online stores or showcase their products on popular marketplaces. This digital presence facilitates convenient discovery and purchase of custom t-shirts by potential customers from the comfort of their homes. For instance, in August 2023, the United States Census Bureau reported a 7.5% increase in e-commerce estimates for the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, while overall retail sales rose by 0.6%. Notably, 15.4% of all sales in the second quarter of 2023 were conducted through online stores. The upward trend in e-commerce is a key driver behind the growth of the custom t-shirt printing market.

Technological advancements and product launches are emerging as significant trends in the custom t-shirt printing market. Companies in this sector are actively introducing new products to elevate the customer experience. For instance, Roland Corporation, a Japan-based manufacturer specializing in electronic musical instruments, equipment, and software, unveiled the Texart XT-640S-DTG t-shirt printer. This printer is capable of producing full-color designs, photographs, logos, and text directly onto various cotton, cotton-rich, and white polyester T-shirts and apparel. It utilizes CMYK and high-density White sublimation inks and features the latest version of ErgoSoft Roland's RIP, incorporating changeable data and an auto-white feature. The Texart XT-640S-DTG caters to a diverse range of needs, including garment suppliers transitioning from screen printing to digital, brands bringing production in-house, and garment embroidery companies seeking to expand their product line. Its speed, accuracy, and versatility position it as an ideal choice for various applications in the custom t-shirt printing market.

Prominent players in the custom t-shirt printing market are strategically introducing innovative products, exemplified by the Manifesto Collection, as part of their initiatives to enhance market profitability. The Manifesto Collection, launched by Cap_able, an Italy-based clothing company in January 2023, stands out as a design collection of knitted garments. This collection serves a dual purpose - not only does it offer aesthetically pleasing knitted garments but also aims to raise public awareness about the risks associated with inappropriate face recognition use and the paramount importance of safeguarding the privacy of biometric data. Cap_able employs cutting-edge technology to uphold individuals' privacy and the security of their personal information. By doing so, the clothing not only provides a fashionable experience but also protects wearers against potential abuse and unauthorized access to their private lives.

In a strategic move in March 2021, Polyconcept, a Netherlands-based supplier and distributor specializing in customized and personalized hard goods and apparel, completed the acquisition of T Shirt & Sons Ltd for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition enables Polyconcept to leverage T Shirt & Sons' expertise in printing, servicing, and digital capabilities across its global operations. The integration of these complementary strengths positions both companies to pursue aggressive expansion objectives in the coming months. T Shirt & Sons Ltd., a UK-based provider of direct-to-garment printing services in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, brings valuable capabilities to the broader portfolio of Polyconcept, enhancing its position in the competitive custom t-shirt printing market. This strategic collaboration reinforces Polyconcept's commitment to growth and innovation within the industry.

Major companies operating in the custom t-shirt printing market include CafePress Inc., CustomInk LLC, Printful Inc., RushOrderTees, Spreadshirt Group, TheBlueGeckoPrinting, Threadbird LLC, UberPrints Inc., Vistaprint BV, Te Talkies, Inkmonk, Discount MugsBel Inc., Broken Arrow Retail Pvt Ltd., CustomThread Inc., Designhill Inc., Zazzle, Red Bubble Ltd., Big Frog Custom T-Shirts, Blue Cotton, Customized Girl, Jakprints Inc., LogoSportswear Inc., Allied Shirts, ooShirts Inc., Custom T-Shirts, T-Shirt Elephant, T-Shirt Champions, Blue Gecko UK Ltd., Anthem Branding LLC, T-Pop Clothing Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the custom t-shirt printing market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the custom t-shirt printing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the custom t-shirt printing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The custom t-shirt printing market includes revenues earned by entities by using printing services for brand promotion, which is more affordable and efficient than any other form of advertising for businesses. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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