Kirk Harris on the State of the Industry

Whether you are in this industry as a hobbyist, a startup, or have been in business for years, knowing more about it should be of interest to everyone.

As we all are aware, although we may sometimes forget, apparel decoration touches everything. I don’t believe that there is an industry on this planet that doesn’t, or hasn’t, utilized our services in some manner. We are part of such an impactful industry that we can see examples of our services anytime we get on the internet, turn on the TV, or venture outdoors.

But just how impactful are we? In 2018, the apparel decoration industry garnered a global valuation of $26.75 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.91% through 2025.

The growth of our industry is being driven in part by the increase in global demand for embroidery, screen printing, sublimation, digital printing, and transfers. The desire for these services, coupled with innovations in products and technology, continue to tilt spending in our direction. Re-emerging trends like patches and retro designs, the growing use of techniques by major brands, and the rising number of clubs, organizations, and businesses that are, and will utilize our services globally are also contributing to the growing awareness of our industry with the public at large.

The top categories for apparel decoration are embroidery and screen printing. Embroidery carries a significant share of the market for its durability and professional look. Screen printing has the fastest growth rate due to its lifespan and versatility.

Women, the largest consumer group in our industry, are leading the way and helping facilitate growth by demanding products tailored to them. While women top the list as the largest segment of consumers impacting our industry, men are behind the fast compounding annual growth rate with their eyes set on the full range of available apparel, unique designs, color combination, and prints. Yes, sports apparel is also continuously adding to the growth, and as fashion morphs, items such as graphic Ts are becoming more accepted and sought after.