Is Print on Demand Oversaturated in 2025?

In recent years, print on demand (POD) market has seen tremendous growth, attracting a large number of sellers to participate in this business model. This raises the question: Is print on demand oversaturated in 2025? If you’re considering starting a POD business this year but still wondering about your chances of success, then this article is truly for you.

In this article, we will analyze the current state of the POD market and clarify whether saturation is really happening or not. At the same time, this blog post also gives useful tips to help you overcome challenges and achieve success with this business model.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Is Print on Demand Oversaturated in 2025?

Yes, the print on demand market is saturated by 2025. Businesses are competing fiercely, offering similar products to the same customer segment. As a result, consumers are frustrated by too many similar options and don’t know who to trust. This race reduces the value of products and pushes advertising costs and operating costs to sky-high levels.

However, many merchants still think POD is a potentially lucrative market. And that is true! The trick is to break out of the rut. Instead of following the crowd, you need to create truly unique products and services that are tailored to your customer’s needs and desires. When you achieve these goals, success opportunities will come to you.

Reasons Merchants Think Print on Demand Oversaturated

With the realities of the print-on-demand industry, most merchants believe that it is indeed saturated. So why do they think so? Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons below:

Fierce Competition in Print on Demand Market

One of the clear signs that show print on demand is oversaturated is the growing number of sellers in this market. Over the years, print on demand has emerged as a popular business model and fast growing. However, when its popularity increases, competition in the market increases too. This makes it more and more difficult to stand out than other sellers.

Print on Demand Product Redundancy

Many sellers entering the print on demand market, so duplicate products and designs are inevitable. When you search for the keyword “t-shirts”, Amazon will give you over 50,000 results, and of course, there will be similar results from different suppliers.

Alternatively, product duplication leads to reduced sales. Many consumers tend to choose products with lower prices or not buy them because they lack uniqueness. Imagine you are a customer, you will definitely check prices at different online stores to compare and get the best deal before buying. In addition, duplication also makes it difficult for small and new businesses to reach and attract customers.

Consumer Frustration

There are too many products and advertisements that are similar in design, content, and services in the POD market. This causes consumers to gradually ignore products that lack uniqueness. Products will have a hard time attracting customers’ attention without personalization or customization.

Today, consumers prioritize products that are unique, meaningful, and relevant to their interests and values. They want to find brands that offer a clear difference. For example, searching for the keyword “t-shirts" on Etsy will bring up more than 11,764 ad results, and there are 2.24 million searches for this keyword every month.

In short, retailers need to focus on personalization, create unique value, and address sustainability trends to get success in print on demand market.

High Advertising Costs

The Print on Demand industry is facing significant pressure from rising advertising costs, especially on platforms like Facebook and Google. As more businesses enter this market and use these channels, competition will increase, causing advertising costs to escalate year after year.

According to WebFX, small and medium-sized businesses typically spend between $2,500 and $12,000 per advertising project. The saturation of the POD market has brought about major changes in customer behavior, platform algorithms, and advertising policies, increasing competition for advertising space and driving up costs.

However, completely cutting advertising costs is almost impossible. According to Hubspot Blog Research, social media is still the most effective marketing channel, bringing the highest return on investment (ROI) for businesses. Especially for new sellers, advertising is a powerful tool to reach target customers quickly and effectively.

To help you have a clearer view, below is a reference table of average advertising costs on some popular digital platforms (note: actual costs may vary depending on the needs and strategies of each seller):

Low-Quality Problem

As we know, print on demand means that you only need to focus on designing and promoting products, POD suppliers will help you produce and ship them to customers. This also means that you cannot control the manufacturing process and product quality. Moreover, results are inconsistent since products are created on demand, so their quality will vary.

Besides, the delivery completely depends on POD providers, so you cannot guarantee the exact delivery time. In some cases, orders may be delayed or lost, affecting customer’s experience and your brand reputation.

High Competition in Popular Segment

The high competition of print on demand in popular segments makes it difficult for beginners to enter this market. Some of the most competitive segments in the POD market include:

• Pet-related products
• Family and couples
• Humor and memes
• Hobby and Career or Work-related niches
• Health and Fitness
• Holidays and special occasions
• Sustainability and environment
• Travel and tourism
• Music and pop culture

In addition, some of the top print on demand products include: clothing, home decor, drinks, accessories, and other products. However, you don’t need to worry too much about this high competition if you are confident in your creativity in designs and good advertising skills.

Saturation of Print-on-Demand vs. Other Models

The print on demand (POD) market has grown fast over the years and predicted will reach $45.6 billion in 2031 (Straits Research). However, like any growing market, POD is also gradually becoming saturated. Here is a comparison of POD saturation with other e-commerce business models:

Why Print on Demand is Still Profitable?

Although print on demand is saturated, the market still offers many profitable opportunities. Here are some common reasons:

Growth Interest in E-commerce

E-commerce is growing exponentially globally, opening up unprecedented business opportunities. With the convenience and popularity of online shopping, sales are reaching impressive milestones.

Following eMarketer, global online sales will reach $6.5 trillion by 2024. This is not only a positive signal for the whole industry but also a strong driving force for the development of business models such as print on demand, helping sellers reach customers internationally more easily than ever.

Potential Market Boom

With the strong expansion of the global economy, more and more opportunities for POD businesses. This trend is not only limited to familiar markets but also spreads strongly to emerging potential regions.

According to ResearchAndMarkets.com report, the Asia-Pacific region is turning into a bright spot, predicted to achieve the fastest growth rate in the POD industry. This brings great opportunities for POD service providers and sellers who want to expand their market.

In general, leveraging the potential of emerging markets will be the key for POD businesses to increase their competitive advantage and make a breakthrough in the upcoming development stage.

Rise of Internet Users

The fast increase of Internet users plays a vital role in driving the growth of e-commerce. This also gives POD businesses many great opportunities to reach new potential customers.

According to a report by DataReportal, as of January 2022, the world had 4.95 billion internet users, accounting for 62.5% of the global population. This number shows the huge potential of the online market and creates good conditions for POD businesses to reach this potential customer group. With the internet as a bridge, POD business has become easier than ever, as you can reach users anywhere.

Growth of Mobile Commerce (M-commerce)

Using smartphones to shop is becoming a habit of the majority of consumers globally. According to a report from Designveloper, mobile commerce in the United States is expected to reach $488 billion in sales by 2024, accounting for 44% of all e-commerce sales. This is a golden opportunity for print-on-demand (POD) businesses to exploit, especially as customers increasingly prioritize convenience and speed in their shopping experience.

Tips to Succeed in POD Despite a Saturated Market

Although the print on demand market is oversaturated by 2025 and it’s hard to stand out from the dozens of sellers out there, you can still succeed. We’ve come up with some tips for succeeding in this business model today.

Focus on Niche Markets

Rather than spreading yourself thin and competing in broad segments like “funny t-shirts,” narrowing your target audience will help your brand stand out. For example, you might choose to focus on specific groups like t-shirts for dog lovers, with unique designs and fun messages related to pets, or satirical t-shirts for nurses, highlighting humorous stories about the medical profession.

By targeting these niche markets, you not only reduce your competition but also make it easier for your target audience to connect. When your product meets their specific interests and needs, they are more likely to buy and stay loyal to your brand. This also helps you build a stronger brand and optimize your marketing efforts, from advertising to social media.

Personalization and Customization Options

Offering personalized products not only helps you stand out but also increases your competitiveness in the market. According to Deloitte research, 50% of consumers are interested in purchasing customized products or services. In particular, 1 in 5 are willing to pay 20% more for products that are tailored to their individual preferences and needs.

Generally, leveraging personalization not only improves your customer experience but also provides an opportunity to increase value and revenue effectively.

Ensure Quality and Variety

In a saturated market, selling through popular vendors can be tricky, but ensuring product quality is always key. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 91% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, and 82% regularly read reviews before choosing a business. This shows that positive customer feedback is not just a “plus” but also a decisive factor in helping you build trust and differentiate yourself from a host of competitors. Focus on customer experience to get good reviews and grow sustainably!

Brand Story and Unique Design

Do you know that a compelling brand story combined with unique designs will help you stand out in a competitive market? To attract customers to know about your brand you can create a clear “brand storybook” that captures your core values, mission, and unique points of differentiation.

Besides, you should make sure your website, social media, and product descriptions all communicate this message consistently. This will not only increase brand recognition, but also help you connect more deeply with your customers, build loyalty, and drive sales.

Print on demand industry is booming and promising, but making a mark among the countless POD stores is not easy. It’s not as simple as opening an online store, uploading random designs, and waiting for sales to roll in, you need a clear strategy that understands your brand and your target audience. While this journey is challenging, building a successful POD business can bring lasting value and significant satisfaction!