Decorated Apparel Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Embroidery, Screen Printing, Dye Sublimation, Digital Printing), By End-user, By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global decorated apparel market size was valued at USD 25.83 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% from 2023 to 2030. Increasing demand for embroidery, screen printing, sublimation, and heat transfer works on apparel is driving the growth of the market around the world. The growing demand for a reflective finish in clothes has also given the potential for the industry participants to flourish. Furthermore, increased demand for graphic t-shirts and other apparel due to shifting trends will boost product sales throughout the projection period. Given the growing popularity of branded clothes among customers globally, the expanding trend of luxury clothing as a status symbol among individuals is promoting the use of adorned garments.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak that began in China during the first half of 2020 is likely to have a significant impact on the decorated apparel market throughout the forecast timeframe, most notably during 2020. As regards the performance of the global market, the COVID-19 crisis is expected to have a domino effect on numerous export markets in the near term.

Given the severity of the COVID-19 crisis, market participants are likely to witness shrinking demand for their products throughout 2020. In this respect, manufacturers of decorated apparel are expected to focus on expansion within domestic markets in the near future. The e-commerce platform has been gaining traction with rising global consumer awareness regarding social distancing.

Noticing a rising demand for creative or innovative designs in apparel, decorators worldwide have been focusing on technological advancement over the years. Innovations within the market have centered mainly on machinery in the areas of direct-to-garment digital printing, embroidery, embellishment attachment, laser decoration, and conventional sewing, among others. The development of novel decoration techniques has also been widening the range of economical decoration options for both apparel manufacturers and designers worldwide.

Technological advancement is not only evident in the decorated apparel space but also the retailing sector. Retailers worldwide are increasingly employing the Three-Dimensional Visual Merchandising System to help customers choose products in a virtual 3D retail environment. Such advancements in the field of technology are expected to bolster the demand for decorated apparel over the forecast timeframe.

Recent years have witnessed key innovations in apparel decoration technologies worldwide. For instance, DTG Digital Europe, a U.K.-based direct-to-garment (DTG) supplier, recently developed a technology to reduce the banding appearance at low printing resolutions.

In another instance, Gemfix Inc., a U.S.-based gemstone supplier, recently developed a machine to attach embellishments of varied sizes and shapes onto garments, thereby providing garment/apparel manufacturers and decorators the ability to create more complex and interesting decorated motifs. Also, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) has emerged as a revolutionary tool in the decorated apparel space. In this regard, software such as Gerber, Adobe, Tukatech, Lectra, CorelDraw, Digital FashionPro, and Illustrator are being extensively employed in fashion.  

Numerous issues continue to challenge the decorated apparel industry, most notably in the manufacturing space. While decorated apparel has been gaining traction among consumers worldwide, ensuring product quality and consistency continues to pose a hurdle for decorated apparel brands. Ensuring consistency is mainly an issue when brands, most notably small-and medium-sized enterprises, focus on launching a new product.

Some of the other prominent challenges in the market are high import duties on apparel—most notably luxury apparel products, the threat of counterfeiting, and the lack of substantial retail space. In retail floor space, decorated apparel brands are being discouraged from expanding their presence in the Asia Pacific markets.

Product Insights

The embroidery segment led the market and accounted for a 40.72% share of the global revenue in 2022. The growing prominence of embroidery being done over a multitude of silhouettes, without gender distinction is creating significant growth opportunities for embroidery-based decorated apparel.

Usage of threads varying in width, color, and finishes and adding trims from small beads to big patches proposes diversified functionality which is also attracting consumers. Embroidery-decorated apparel is gaining traction in the market as it offers high quality, value addition, and a statement finish to the clothing. Custom-decorated apparel has been a prime reason for the rising demand for embroidery-decorated apparel.

The screen printing segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of 14.5% from 2023 to 2030. The screen-printing technique is a trending printing method owing to the resultant crisp and durable prints that withstand long washes.

However, this method requires a huge setup cost and can be expensive when the orders are not in bulk. The change from manual to automatic screen-printing presses has accelerated the rise of screen-printing technology. Screen printing is one of the most common printing processes worldwide. Companies like Oregon Screen Impressions and Deluxe Screen Printing are some of the famous companies for screen printing.

End-user Insights

The women segment held the largest revenue share of over 65.22% in 2022. Availability and demand for different products, such as t-shirts, tops, kurtas, and gowns drive the growth of this segment. Moreover, product innovations in the women’s wear category due to changing consumer demands are driving the demand for products such as graphic t-shirts, which have gained popularity as semi-formal as well as casual attire.

Rising instances of social gatherings among the younger population and the influence of social media have provided the masses with access to information on different types of clothing for various occasions depending on the season, functionality, and fashion trends. This scenario is likely to drive the demand for decorated apparel for women such as printed t-shirts for everyday use, embroidered shorts and dresses for vacations, and dye sublimation for formal wear.

The men segment is projected to register a CAGR of 14.1% from 2023 to 2030. Rising product availability with a range of unique designs, color combinations, prints, and other decorations in graphic tees, coats, and designer blazers for men drive the scope of the decorated apparel industry. Rising applications of printing and embroidery on apparel logos for sportswear such as youth baseball teams, school spirit wear, or walk/run fundraisers drive the demand for decorated apparel among men.

Moreover, the visibility of embroidery decoration on men’s jackets, shirts, t-shirts, and trousers encourages apparel manufacturers to add these features to the apparel they offer. Furthermore, the increased preference among men for shirts monogrammed with the brand logo or with their initials to add distinction has resulted in higher penetration of decorated apparel for men.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held the largest revenue share of over 36.68% in 2022. The increasing disposable income of the middle-class population has driven the number of first-time buyers of high-end decorated apparel in this region. Consumers are increasingly inclined toward decorated apparel owing to a preference for high-quality products and the growing influence of social media in terms of fashion trends.

In addition, the expansion of international players in the region is acting as a major driver for market growth. The way consumers dress up in Asia Pacific countries is very different from the rest of the world. Kimonos from Japan, qipao from China, and saris & kurtas from India are traditionally embroidered. Additionally, these types of clothes are widely being adopted across the world and contributing to the rise in fusion wear. This, in turn, is driving regional growth.

Europe region is expected to witness a CAGR of 14.3% from 2023 to 2030. The growing tendency of consumers of all age groups to spend more on comfortable and decorated clothing is driving the demand for embroidered trucker jackets, long-sleeved shirts, and cardigans. Several fashion designers in the region, such as Karl Lagerfeld, Nicolas Ghesquière, Stella McCartney, and Phoebe Philo, offer customized luxury apparel in neutral color palettes and wearable designs, which are rapidly gaining popularity.

With the growing trend of customized t-shirts and tops, patchwork, and retro logo designs, the demand for apparel decoration has been increasing among working women. The segment growth is attributed to the increase in the number of women in the workforce in the region, which has stimulated a modest rise in their disposable income.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market includes both international and domestic participants. Key market players focus on strategies such as innovation and new product launches in retail about decorated apparel products to enhance their portfolio offerings in the market.

• In April 2021, Delta Apparel announced a technology partnership with Autoscale.ai to integrate its product design, marketplace listings, and advertising management functions for better online retail processes.

• In February 2021, Hanes entered into a licensing agreement with Belle International to introduce Champion footwear and accessories in China. As per the agreement, Belle International will distribute the new collection designed for consumers in China.

• In February 2021, Hanes announced a multi-year collaboration with G.O.A.T., an Authentic Brands Group company, for the development of the Muhammad Ali collection under the former’s portfolio of Champion Athleticwear.

Some of the prominent players in the global decorated apparel market include:

• Gildan

• Fruit of Loom, Inc.

• Downtown Custom Printwear

• Hanesbrands Inc.

• Master Printwear

• Delta Apparel, Inc.

• Target Decorated Apparel

• Advance Printwear Limited

• Lynka

• New England Printwear

Decorated Apparel Market Report Scope

Global Decorated Apparel Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global decorated apparel market report based on product, end-user, distribution channel, and region:

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

  • Embroidery

  • Screen Printing

  • Dye Sublimation

  • Digital Printing

  • Others

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

  • Men

  • Women

  • Children

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

  • Online

  • Offline

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa