Custom T-shirt Printing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Printing Technique (Screen Printing, Digital Printing, Plot Printing), By Design (Graphic Designed Shirt, Artwork), By Sales Channel, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Custom T-shirt Printing Market Size & Trends

The global custom t-shirt printing market size was valued at USD 5.16 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2025 to 2030. Custom-designed t-shirts are increasingly being used by companies as a modern branding strategy to brand their company, products, or offerings. This technique is used by companies, especially start-ups, to increase their brand visibility and grab the attention of their prospective customers. Therefore, the growing use of customized t-shirts as a branding tool is expected to be a major contributor to market growth over the forecast period.

The fashion industry is witnessing a shift toward wearing customized clothing. Also, increasing disposable income of consumers is enabling them to spend on customized clothes. As a result, people prefer wearing customized t-shirts with specific logos or slogans printed on them. The entertainment industry is contributing to the market growth with a large number of people, especially movie fanatics, buying apparel with slogans or logos printed on them. For instance, television series such as Game of Thrones and Big Bang Theory have a huge fan base. The fans willingly spend a good amount on buying t-shirts or other apparel with their favorite dialogues or slogans printed on t-shirts. This trend is expected to majorly contribute to the custom t-shirt printing industry's growth over the coming years.

There is an increase in the use of custom-printed t-shirts to create social awareness, raise a voice, and support a cause. However, specific designs and slogans printed on the t-shirts related to sensitive issues, such as diseases, gender, crime, and politics, are subject to criticism and legal action. Further, customers from various industries, including hospitality, logistics, construction, industrial, and medical, are increasingly providing custom printed t-shirts to their employees and customers, which is used as a marketing technique.

Companies all over the globe are using custom-made t-shirts as an off-the-clock advertising tool. This advertising strategy has been observed to involve less investment as compared to other forms of advertising such as hoardings or T.V. Therefore, companies are providing customized t-shirts to increase their brand identity as well as customer loyalty. Additionally, providing t-shirts with good quality material increases their shelf life, thereby helping the companies to gain visibility for a longer time period, which in turn is anticipated to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Sports teams and clubs of almost all sports have started to design and wear custom-designed t-shirts and jerseys with their unique logo and designs. The trend is nowadays being followed by every sporting club to increase the visibility of their team and to provide a unique appearance to their team players. Sporting activities across countries such as China, India, and Germany are witnessing considerable growth with increasing investments by governments of these nations in sports-related activities. As a result, the demand for customized t-shirts is expected to increase in the years to come.

In the wake of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a significant disturbance in most industries across the globe. While few industries experienced a contraction in their productions and businesses, others faced severe outcomes such as the shutdown of businesses and movement restrictions. For instance, the travel, entertainment, and hospitality industries had the most retrenchments, and on the other hand, healthcare, technology e-commerce businesses had an upsurge in demand. However, during the pandemic, the fashion industry experienced both a surge and a decline all at once. While various outlets and large brand stores experienced a decline in customer footfalls and clothing demand, it has been observed that there was an increase in the demand for custom t-shirts from the e-commerce industry. Besides, the custom t-shirt printing business also witnessed several new entrants in the market during the pandemic.        

Printing Technique Insights

The screen-printing segment held the highest revenue share of 56% in 2024. The segment's high share can be attributed to its increased adoption on account of various benefits, including high print quality and high color vibrancy as thicker ink is applied to the product, particularly dark-colored apparel. It can also print on several synthetic fabrics such as viscose, polyester, silk, and others. As a result, it is mostly the preferred technique among service providers.

The digital printing segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment, registering a CAGR of 12.5% from 2025 to 2030. The popularity of digital printing is on the rise among custom t-shirt printing service providers, considering it involves the use of a computer for processing and printing the artwork directly on the product’s surface, making it less time-consuming and affordable with a quick turnaround time. The technique is used where a high amount of detailing is required in the product's printed design. For instance, if a photographic print has to be applied to a light-colored t-shirt, the digital printing technique would be the best option, as the photographic print will require a fair amount of detail.

Sales Channel Insights

The offline segment held the highest revenue share of 51% in 2024. The offline channel is the traditional choice for custom t-shirt printing. Consumers, especially from developing countries, prefer the offline channel over online purchases for customized clothing. Moreover, bulk orders for custom t-shirt printing, for instance, sports events, school uniforms, and club games, are ordered mainly through an offline channel.

The online segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment, registering the fastest CAGR of 13.3% from 2025 to 2030. The online sales channel allows an individual to select designs, colors, fabrics, and sizes for the t-shirt through an application or website. The online channel offers the convenience of browsing through all the products and provides information about the product. Consumers are increasingly inclined toward online purchases owing to the easy visibility of choices, cost-effectiveness, home delivery of the product, and the interactive and user-friendly nature of online platforms.

End Use Insights

The commercial segment held the highest revenue share of 56% in 2024. The high revenue share of the segment can be attributed to the increasing demand for custom-printed t-shirts in sectors such as hospitality, media, and retail to cater to its increasing demand for company branding through logo printed on t-shirts. Personalized t-shirts with company logos or brand names are increasingly becoming popular as corporate gifting, which also duals up as off-the-clock marketing. The increasing demand for sports uniforms from sports clubs or teams is a major contributor to the commercial segment growth.

The personal segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment, registering a CAGR of 12.2% from 2025 to 2030. The popularity of buying custom printed t-shirts is on the rise among individuals, especially for the slogan printed t-shirts. Along with the slogan-printed t-shirts, there is also a growing demand for TV show-based theme t-shirts. TV series such as Game of Thrones, Friends, and Suits, among others, are the most popular among the buyers of slogans or character-based t-shirts. The personal end-use segment is further sub-segmented based on age group into below 15 years, 15-40 years, and above 40 years. The 15-40 years segment contributed the largest market share in the personal segment in 2024.

Design Insights

The artwork segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing segment, registering a CAGR of 12.1% from 2025 to 2030. The growing preference of customers toward using t-shirts or other apparel to support a cause or deliver a message is expected to contribute to the high growth of this segment. The artwork segment involves a custom artwork created by an individual to be printed on the t-shirt. Consumers who wish to print their designs or have a clear picture of the desired print are the potential customers of artwork designed for t-shirts.

The graphic design shirts segment held the largest market share and accounted for more than 57% of the global revenue in 2024. The high share is attributable to the rising demand for custom t-shirts with pre-printed graphics. Graphic design t-shirts involve the printing of an existing design that does not require any further modifications. Such pre-printed graphic design t-shirts are preferred by customers who want the product immediately at a lower price.

Regional Insights

North America custom t-shirt printing market is significantly influenced by advancements in printing technologies, which are revolutionizing how custom apparel is produced, distributed, and accessed by consumers. Notably, the introduction and rapid adoption of digital printing technologies, particularly Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, have transformed the industry. In North America, where personalization and fast turnaround times are increasingly important, DTG printing has allowed businesses to efficiently cater to short-run orders with high-quality results.

U.S. Custom T-Shirt Printing Market Trends

The custom t-shirt printing industry in the U.S. is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The expansion of e-commerce platforms is a crucial factor in the growth of the U.S. custom t-shirt printing market, enabling businesses to reach a broad audience across various regions. The convenience and ease provided by online platforms have made it simple for consumers to design, customize, and order t-shirts from the comfort of their homes. U.S.-based e-commerce giants and specialized custom printing platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Redbubble have allowed consumers to create and purchase personalized apparel with just a few clicks, fueling the popularity of custom t-shirts across the country.

Asia Pacific Custom T-Shirt Printing Market Trends

The custom t-shirt printing industry in Asia Pacific dominated the global market and accounted for over 39.4% of the global revenue share in 2024 and is anticipated to continue its dominance over the forecast period. The region's growth is primarily attributable to the growing popularity of fashionable apparel among the young population. In addition, the region's growth is also driven by the high proliferation of the e-commerce industry in the region. Countries such as China and India are witnessing a rapid growth of e-commerce activities. Moreover, with the presence of a huge young population and the positive outlook for the apparel industry, several startups offering personalized printed t-shirts and other customized accessories have emerged in India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries. This region is also well known for encouraging various sports events, which is further expected to propel the demand for customized t-shirts in the region.

India custom t-shirt printing industry in India is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2025 to 2030. A key driver is the shift toward personalization, with consumers increasingly seeking unique, self-expressive designs that go beyond mass-produced clothing. This trend is particularly strong among younger generations, who value originality and creativity in their fashion choices. In addition, India’s flourishing startup ecosystem has catalyzed the growth of smaller, innovative players in the custom apparel space. These startups focus on unique designs, quicker production cycles, and eco-friendly materials, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

Europe Custom T-shirt Printing Market Trends

The custom t-shirt printing industry in Europe held the second-largest share in 2024, owing to increasing investments and developments in printing technologies in countries such as the U.K., France, and Germany. The growth in the region is also attributed to the presence of prominent market players such as Vistaprint., Spreadshirt, and CafePress Inc. On the other hand, North America is expected to witness significant growth in the forthcoming years. The popularity of outdoor sports in North America is expected to increase the demand for custom t-shirts in the region.

The UK custom t-shirt printing industry is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2025 to 2030, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technology advancements, and the convenience of online shopping. Personalized fashion has become a defining trend, with consumers across the UK increasingly looking for unique, self-designed apparel that allows them to stand out. Custom t-shirts have become particularly popular as a way for individuals to express personal style and creativity or make statements, marking a shift from mass-produced clothing to a more individualistic approach.

Key Custom T-shirt Printing Company Insights

The market is fragmented and is anticipated to witness increased competition due to several players' presence. The market participants are focusing on several strategies to gain a higher market share. Mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and other contractual agreements are being announced by these market players to emerge as the top custom printing companies. Moreover, these players are investing in research and development activities to bring new products to the market. The companies are trying to expand their business operations to serve more customers with shorter delivery times. Some prominent players in the market include CafePress Inc., CustomInk, LLC., CustomThread, Printful Inc., RushOrderTees.com, Spreadshirt, THEBLUEGECKOPRINTING, THREADBIRD, UberPrints, Inc., and Vistaprint

Some of the key companies operating in the custom t-shirt printing market include Vistaprint, CustomInk, LLC., and Printful Inc.

• Printful Inc. is one of the leading on-demand printing and fulfillment companies that enables individuals and businesses to create and sell custom products, including t-shirts, without the need for inventory management. By integrating with various e-commerce platforms, Printful automates the process of printing, packing, and shipping products directly to customers, streamlining operations for sellers.

UberPrints, Inc., and CustomThread are some of the emerging custom t-shirt printing companies.

• UberPrints, Inc. is a U.S.-based company specializing in custom t-shirt printing and personalized apparel. It provides a diverse range of products, including t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and hats, catering to both individual consumers and businesses. Their user-friendly online design studio enables customers to create unique designs using text, images, and various design elements. The company offers multiple printing methods, such as screen printing and digital printing, to accommodate different design requirements and order quantities.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Kornit Digital partnered with Custom Ink to improve production efficiency and sustainability. Custom Ink will transition a significant portion of its printing operations from traditional screen printing to Kornit's digital direct-to-garment technology. This shift will enable Custom Ink to deliver high-quality custom apparel and gear while contributing to a more sustainable future.

• In March 2021, Polyconcept, a global promotional products supplier, acquired T-Shirt & Sons, a clothing and fabric merchandise printer. This acquisition aims to leverage T-Shirt & Sons' expertise in printing, service, and digital capabilities to enhance Polyconcept's global operations. Polyconcept plans to invest in T Shirt & Sons to further expand its market reach and capabilities.

Custom T-shirt Printing Market Report Scope

Global Custom T-shirt Printing Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the custom t-shirt printing market report based on printing technique, design, sales channel, end use, and region:

• Printing Technique Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Screen Printing

  • Digital Printing

  • Plot Printing

• Design Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Graphic Designed Shirt

  • Artwork

• Sales Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Online

  • Offline

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Commercial

  • Personal

    • Below 15 years

    • 15-40 years

    • Above 40 years

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • KSA

    • UAE

    • South Africa