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Custom Screen Printing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Pigott Matthew Pigott New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS OD4211

Revenue

$9.2bn

2024

$9.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

71,874

Businesses

12,323

Wages

$X.Xbn

Custom Screen Printing in the US industry analysis

The Custom Screen Printing industry has faced challenges as downstream demand dried up, making it harder to stay afloat. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, consumer and business spending plummeted due to economic uncertainty. Stay-at-home measures canceled or reduced events like sporting games and concerts, where customized apparel is commonly sold. Although demand for custom screen printing services rebounded in 2021 as economic conditions improved, the ongoing shift to digital channels has undermined the industry, as print advertising expenditures continue to dwindle This has lead to consistent declines from 2022 through 2024. Industry revenue is forecast to contract at a CAGR of 2.2% to $9.8 billion over the five years to 2024, including a decline of 2.4% in 2024.

Although part of the broader printing industry, screen printers are less reliant on print advertising spending compared to those using other printing techniques. Consequently, the screen printing sector has performed better than the overall printing industry, attracting more participants. However, this increased participation has exerted downward pressure on profit margins, as many producers are local nonemployers who mainly compete on price. This competitive pricing strategy has intensified market competition and harmed profitability.

The industry will expand tepidly moving forward, with revenue forecast to grow at a CAGR of 0.7% to $10.1 billion over the five years to 2029. An increase in consumer spending will benefit printers, as custom screen printing remains an essential component of in-person advertising for businesses and diverse consumer needs. Still, the continued move toward digital advertising will only continue as more economic activity moves online, sapping spending on printing. This will elicit consolidation activity as companies seek to expand market share increasing their pricing power, keeping profitability relatively steady.

Trends and Insights

  • Custom screen printing has outperformed the broader printing industry. This resilience stems from custom screen printers' essential role in in-person advertising, reducing their reliance on print media advertising and more adaptable to changing market conditions.
  • Consumer-facing businesses, like breweries, coffee shops and restaurants, often purchase bulk orders of customized apparel. These large orders help them brand effectively and meet customer need for unique merchandise.
  • Environmentally friendly products are shifting printing trends. As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, they're more likely to choose businesses that prioritize sustainability
  • Consumers put a premium on cost and convenience. Store locations significantly affect the competitive landscape, as consumers prefer the practicality of nearby businesses.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $9.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

A bright spot for custom screen printers

  • The decline in demand for product catalogs, mailers and contracted printing services has reduced revenue in the overall printing industry. But screen printing has weathered these changes thanks to its versatility in various applications.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Custom Screen Printing in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Rising consumer income will encourage more spending

  • The custom apparel industry is poised to benefit significantly from rising per capita disposable income. As people have more discretionary income, they're more able to spend on nonessential items, such as custom-made clothing.

Biggest companies in the Custom Screen Printing in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Fort Dearborn Company
85.8
2.4
2.8
Multi Color Corp
62.4
2.3
3.7

To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Custom Screen Printing in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Apparel printing, Stationery, invitations and other paper-based printing and Labels. Apparel printing is the largest segment of the Custom Screen Printing in the US.

Trends and Insights

Apparel printing keeps selling in bulk

  • The process of screen printing on apparel items, like T-shirts, sweatshirts or hats, is a multi-step process purchased by businesses and consumers for various purposes.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in the Custom Screen Printing industry engage in screen printing without publishing on a job-order basis. Printing services include, but are not limited to, stationery, invitations, labels and apparel such as T-shirts, caps, jackets and towels.

What's included in this industry?

Apparel screen printingStationery screen printingLabel screen printing

Companies

Fort Dearborn CompanyMulti Color Corp

Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DO-IT-YOURSELF (DIY)PLASTISOLTHERMAL PRINTING

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 32311 - Custom Screen Printing in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Custom screen printing has outperformed the broader printing industry. This resilience stems from custom screen printers' essential role in in-person advertising, reducing th...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Consumer-facing businesses, like breweries, coffee shops and restaurants, often purchase bulk orders of customized apparel. These large orders help them brand effectively and...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Environmentally friendly products are shifting printing trends. As consumers become more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions, they're more likely ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Consumers put a premium on cost and convenience. Store locations significantly affect the competitive landscape, as consumers prefer the practicality of nearby businesses.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The market share of most custom screen printers is small, as there are numerous small- to medium-sized suppliers and comparatively low barriers to entry. This makes it easy f...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Fort Dearborn Company's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Multi Color Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Fort Dearborn Company, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Multi Color Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Companies must abide by environmental laws set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA regulates the use, handling and disposal of hazardous materials to protec...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit margins have remained stable despite volatility from digital channels and reduced spending in major markets. Larger companies have enhanced their pricing power by acqu...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States is $9.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in 2024?

There are 12,323 businesses in the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 3.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Custom Screen Printing in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Custom Screen Printing market in United States are Fort Dearborn Company and Multi Color Corp

What does the Custom Screen Printing in the US in United States include?

Apparel screen printing and Stationery screen printing are part of the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Custom Screen Printing in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Fort Dearborn Company.

How competitive is the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Custom Screen Printing in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Quick Printing in the US

Complementors

  • Printing in the US
  • Printing, Paper, Food, Textile & Other Machinery Manufacturing in the US
  • Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US
  • Book Publishing in the US

International industries

  • Global Commercial Printing
  • Printing in Canada
  • Printing in Australia
  • Printing in New Zealand
  • Printing in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

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