Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global custom t-shirt printing market size was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2021
The custom t-shirt printing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2022 to 2030
The Asia Pacific region accounted for over 37% of the market revenue share in the global custom t-shirt printing market in 2021
The digital printing segment held the largest revenue share of 53% in 2021
The screen printing technique is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 10.1% from 2022 to 2030
The fashion segment dominated the application segment with a revenue share of over 34.0% in 2021
The online distribution channel for custom apparel is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 9.18 billion by 2030
North America accounted for 29.7% of the global custom t-shirt printing market in 2021
Europe held 25.6% of the global custom apparel market share in 2021
Global digital textile printing market expected to reach USD 8.02 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 19.1%
75% of consumers prefer to buy apparel that enables personal expression
Custom apparel orders average a 30% higher profit margin for retailers compared to non-customized items
61% of millennials say they prefer shopping from brands that offer custom apparel options
Consumer Behavior & Personalization
- 75% of consumers prefer to buy apparel that enables personal expression
- Custom apparel orders average a 30% higher profit margin for retailers compared to non-customized items
- 61% of millennials say they prefer shopping from brands that offer custom apparel options
- Custom apparel products experience a 50% lower return rate than standard clothing
- Over 60% of small apparel brands offer at least some form of customization
- The promotional segment accounted for the second largest custom apparel application share at 28% in 2021
- The average number of t-shirts owned by an American is 27
- Personalization in fashion grew by over 38% in popularity year-over-year
- Customized activewear saw a 24% increase in online orders in 2021
- The average price of a printed custom T-shirt in the US is $24.95
- Students and educational institutions contribute to about 19% of the total custom apparel orders in North America
- Bulk custom orders make up around 45% of all custom apparel transactions
- The average size of a custom apparel order is 10.4 units
- Branded team apparel boosts employee satisfaction by 26%
- 85% of consumers say branded apparel increases brand recall
- Women make up 54% of custom apparel buyers online
- Mobile orders represent 62% of custom apparel purchases in 2022
- Half of all custom apparel customers are between 18–34 years old
- 3D design tools increase custom apparel conversion rates by 15%
- User-generated designs account for nearly 25% of print-on-demand apparel content
- Online customization features improve customer satisfaction by 22%
- 92% of custom apparel customers expect delivery within one week
- 1 in 3 customers is willing to pay more for custom clothing
- 65% of independent apparel sellers cite customization as their key differentiator
- In 2021, men's custom t-shirts represented 58% of the market share
- Customers customizing products spend 30% more during their purchase
- About 35% of customers use mockup generators before submitting custom designs
- Sports teams and leagues represent 23% of all custom apparel bulk orders in North America
- 76% of designers say customization has expanded their client base
- Local small business use of personalized uniforms rose 18% year-on-year in 2022
- Graduation season causes a 42% spike in custom apparel sales
- 88% of custom apparel ecommerce stores offer PayPal or digital wallets
- 70% of customizable products ordered online are gifts
- The average cart abandonment rate for online custom apparel stores is 69.2%
- User ratings and photos increase custom product conversion rates by up to 113%
- Real-time personalization engines improve repeat buyer rates by 18%
- Personalized name and number printing is the most requested sports customization feature
Interpretation
In a world where self-expression meets smart economics, custom apparel proves it's not just fashion—it’s a thriving, tech-savvy movement that prints personality, profits, and loyalty one personalized stitch at a time.
Market Size & Growth
- The global custom t-shirt printing market size was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2021
- The custom t-shirt printing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2022 to 2030
- The fashion segment dominated the application segment with a revenue share of over 34.0% in 2021
- The online distribution channel for custom apparel is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 9.18 billion by 2030
- Global digital textile printing market expected to reach USD 8.02 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 19.1%
- T-shirt segment alone expected to reach USD 10 billion by 2025
- Custom sportswear category expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2022 to 2030
- Etsy saw a 37% rise in custom apparel listings between 2019 and 2022
- POD (Print on Demand) businesses saw a 53% increase in revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Print-on-demand apparel is projected to reach $6.17 billion by 2027
- Eco-friendly custom apparel saw a 19% increase in demand in 2022
- The top 10 print-on-demand platforms account for 80% of the custom apparel market
- The average shipping cost for print-on-demand apparel is $5.25 USD
- The youth segment is expected to grow at 12.1% CAGR for custom tees
- TikTok generated over $150 million in custom apparel sales in 2022
- Custom embroidery services grow steadily at a CAGR of 8.5%, with expected $5.47 billion market size by 2028
- On-demand digital embroidery now accounts for over 12% of small business apparel fulfillment
- Custom polo shirts make up 14.3% of the promotional apparel segment
- Personalized baby clothing saw 33% year-over-year growth in 2022
- Subscription box services using custom apparel grew 67% in marketplace presence from 2020–2022
Interpretation
Once a niche novelty, custom apparel has stitched itself into the fabric of global fashion and e-commerce—powered by double-digit growth rates, TikTok trends, eco-conscious consumers, and a $10 billion t-shirt forecast—proving personalization is no longer just a preference, but big business in bold print.
Marketing & Sales Strategies
- 80% of businesses use custom branded apparel for marketing or branding purposes
- Facebook and Instagram drive over 35% of custom apparel traffic to ecommerce stores
- Social advocacy causes see 18% higher sales when printed on custom tees
- 90% of custom apparel brands report customer acquisition via online marketing
- The startup cost for a small POD custom apparel business averages $1,250
- Bundle discounts increase average custom apparel order size by 21%
- The average return on ad spend (ROAS) for custom t-shirts is 4.6x
- Partnerships with micro-influencers increase sales by 25% for custom apparel brands
Interpretation
In an industry where a $1,250 start can spin into a 4.6x return, custom apparel is proving that combining savvy social strategy, influencer partnerships, and a catchy tee can be the smartest uniform in the modern brand's marketing playbook.
Printing Techniques & Technology
- The digital printing segment held the largest revenue share of 53% in 2021
- The screen printing technique is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 10.1% from 2022 to 2030
- Direct-to-garment printing is expected to hold 27% market share by 2025
- DTG (Direct to Garment) printing has a typical turnaround of 2-3 days, which is 40% faster than traditional methods
- AI-powered design tools improve time-to-market by 28% for custom apparel brands
Interpretation
In a fashion-forward race where speed meets precision, digital printing may currently wear the crown, but screen printing’s rapid growth, DTG’s quick turnaround, and AI’s efficiency boost are stitching together a custom apparel future where innovation is always in style.
Regional Insights
- The Asia Pacific region accounted for over 37% of the market revenue share in the global custom t-shirt printing market in 2021
- North America accounted for 29.7% of the global custom t-shirt printing market in 2021
- Europe held 25.6% of the global custom apparel market share in 2021
- Urban areas account for 70% of custom clothing demand globally
Interpretation
While fashion statements may be printed worldwide, it's clear that Asia leads the custom apparel conversation, urbanites drive the demand, and the rest of the world is racing to keep up—one personalized tee at a time.
