GITNUXREPORT 2025

Screen Printing Industry Statistics

Screen printing market grows globally, driven by digital innovation, eco-friendly practices.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The U.S. screen printing industry employs over 20,000 workers

Statistic 2

The average annual revenue per screen printing business is approximately $560,000

Statistic 3

Approximately 80% of screen printing shops are small businesses with fewer than 10 employees

Statistic 4

Despite many innovations, manual screen printing still accounts for around 35% of small to medium-sized production in 2023

Statistic 5

The average turnaround time for custom screen printed orders is approximately 3 to 5 days

Statistic 6

The average price for a single-color screen printing job in North America ranges from $20 to $50 per design

Statistic 7

The average lifespan of a standard silk screen frame is around 7 years with proper maintenance

Statistic 8

The average customer satisfaction rate for screen printing services is estimated at around 85%

Statistic 9

The number of small screen printing businesses provides over 60% of total employment in the industry

Statistic 10

The percentage of screen printers using PPE (personal protective equipment) increased by 20% from 2019 to 2022, reflecting safety protocol improvements

Statistic 11

The use of eco-friendly inks in screen printing increased by 25% between 2019 and 2022

Statistic 12

The use of recyclable screen printing substrates increased by 15% from 2020 to 2022

Statistic 13

The adoption rate of green screen printing practices among industry players increased from 25% in 2010 to over 70% in 2022

Statistic 14

The adoption of eco-friendly solvents and cleaning solutions in screen printing increased by 22% between 2018 and 2022

Statistic 15

The usage of environmentally friendly screen printing inks has led to a 30% reduction in VOC emissions in production facilities over the last five years

Statistic 16

The proportion of screen printing companies employing sustainable practices increased to 55% in 2022, from 33% in 2018

Statistic 17

The average ink wastage in traditional screen printing processes is estimated at 10-15%, which has driven innovations for waste reduction

Statistic 18

North America accounted for over 35% of the global screen printing market share in 2021

Statistic 19

The majority of screen printing businesses (around 65%) operate primarily in urban areas

Statistic 20

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for screen printing technology, with a CAGR of over 6% between 2022 and 2028

Statistic 21

The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 22

The number of small-to-medium screen printing companies operating online increased by 40% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 23

The use of simulation software to optimize screen printing operations has increased by 50% since 2019

Statistic 24

The rise of e-commerce has increased demand for custom printed merchandise by around 35% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 25

The global screen printing market was valued at approximately $12 billion in 2021

Statistic 26

The apparel segment represented around 40% of all screen printing applications as of 2022

Statistic 27

The digital screen printing segment is projected to grow at a faster rate than traditional methods, with a CAGR of 5.7%

Statistic 28

Approximately 60% of screen printers use water-based inks

Statistic 29

About 70% of screen printers also offer digital or direct-to-garment (DTG) printing services

Statistic 30

The most common substrates used in screen printing are cotton, polyester, and blends, representing about 75% of all substrates

Statistic 31

The global demand for promotional products, a major segment for screen printing, was valued at over $23 billion in 2021

Statistic 32

Custom t-shirts account for roughly 55% of all screen printing jobs in North America

Statistic 33

The most common ink colors used in screen printing are white, black, and red, with white ink used in approximately 60% of jobs

Statistic 34

Screen printing accounts for about 45% of all packaging labels produced in the decoration industry

Statistic 35

The secondary market for used screen printing equipment grew by 18% in 2022, indicating increased industry depreciation and resale

Statistic 36

Approximately 58% of screen printers reported an increase in demand for custom sportswear in 2022

Statistic 37

The use of mesh screens with finer meshes (200 or higher) has increased by 35% in the last five years due to higher detail requirements

Statistic 38

The global market for UV-curable inks used in screen printing is projected to reach $900 million by 2025

Statistic 39

Approximately 45% of screen printing businesses generate more than half of their revenue from custom apparel

Statistic 40

The healthcare sector is among the fastest-growing segments utilizing screen printing for medical devices and lab equipment, with a CAGR of 4.8%

Statistic 41

About 20% of screen printing shops also offer embroidery services, expanding their product portfolio

Statistic 42

The U.S. screen printing industry experienced a revenue increase of 8% from 2020 to 2022, driven by e-commerce sales

Statistic 43

Screen printing is used in the production of custom packaging, labels, and promotional products, accounting for approximately 22% of the decoration industry

Statistic 44

The global demand for holographic and specialty inks in screen printing is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2027

Statistic 45

The use of automated screen printing presses has increased industry-wide production efficiency by 30% over the last decade

Statistic 46

The total number of screen printing equipment units sold globally reached approximately 150,000 in 2021

Statistic 47

The cost of a standard manual screen printing press ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on features and automation level

Statistic 48

The majority of screen printing shops (around 65%) plan to invest in digital and hybrid printing technologies within the next three years

Statistic 49

The number of patents registered in screen printing technology increased by 12% between 2018 and 2023, indicating ongoing innovation in the industry

Statistic 50

The average cost of a complete setup for a small screen printing business (including a manual press, curing station, and inks) is approximately $15,000

Statistic 51

The adoption of automated registration systems has improved print accuracy by approximately 25% over manual registration

Statistic 52

The number of digital screen printing machines sold globally surpassed 50,000 units in 2022, indicating rapid adoption

Statistic 53

The average price for large-format screen printing equipment exceeds $100,000, primarily used in industrial applications

Slide 1 of 53

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global screen printing market was valued at approximately $12 billion in 2021
The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2030
North America accounted for over 35% of the global screen printing market share in 2021
The apparel segment represented around 40% of all screen printing applications as of 2022
The digital screen printing segment is projected to grow at a faster rate than traditional methods, with a CAGR of 5.7%
The use of eco-friendly inks in screen printing increased by 25% between 2019 and 2022
Approximately 60% of screen printers use water-based inks
The U.S. screen printing industry employs over 20,000 workers
The average annual revenue per screen printing business is approximately $560,000
About 70% of screen printers also offer digital or direct-to-garment (DTG) printing services
The most common substrates used in screen printing are cotton, polyester, and blends, representing about 75% of all substrates
The global demand for promotional products, a major segment for screen printing, was valued at over $23 billion in 2021
Custom t-shirts account for roughly 55% of all screen printing jobs in North America

The dynamic screen printing industry, valued at $12 billion in 2021 and poised for continued growth, is transforming through innovations, eco-friendly practices, and heightened demand for custom products worldwide.

Business Operations and Industry Metrics

The U.S. screen printing industry employs over 20,000 workers
The average annual revenue per screen printing business is approximately $560,000
Approximately 80% of screen printing shops are small businesses with fewer than 10 employees
Despite many innovations, manual screen printing still accounts for around 35% of small to medium-sized production in 2023
The average turnaround time for custom screen printed orders is approximately 3 to 5 days
The average price for a single-color screen printing job in North America ranges from $20 to $50 per design
The average lifespan of a standard silk screen frame is around 7 years with proper maintenance
The average customer satisfaction rate for screen printing services is estimated at around 85%
The number of small screen printing businesses provides over 60% of total employment in the industry
The percentage of screen printers using PPE (personal protective equipment) increased by 20% from 2019 to 2022, reflecting safety protocol improvements

Business Operations and Industry Metrics Interpretation

While the U.S. screen printing industry boasts a robust workforce of over 20,000 and relies heavily on small businesses that blend tradition with innovation—evidenced by the persistence of manual methods accounting for 35% of output and a solid customer satisfaction rate of 85%—its steady revenue streams and increased safety measures suggest a resilient sector that balances creative craftsmanship with evolving industry standards.

Environmental Sustainability and Practices

The use of eco-friendly inks in screen printing increased by 25% between 2019 and 2022
The use of recyclable screen printing substrates increased by 15% from 2020 to 2022
The adoption rate of green screen printing practices among industry players increased from 25% in 2010 to over 70% in 2022
The adoption of eco-friendly solvents and cleaning solutions in screen printing increased by 22% between 2018 and 2022
The usage of environmentally friendly screen printing inks has led to a 30% reduction in VOC emissions in production facilities over the last five years
The proportion of screen printing companies employing sustainable practices increased to 55% in 2022, from 33% in 2018
The average ink wastage in traditional screen printing processes is estimated at 10-15%, which has driven innovations for waste reduction

Environmental Sustainability and Practices Interpretation

As eco-consciousness spreads through the screen printing industry like vibrant inks on fabric, a 25% surge in eco-friendly inks and a leap to over 70% adoption of green practices by 2022 not only color the future greener but also prove that sustainability is no longer just a trend, but a new standard etched into the fabric of responsible manufacturing.

Geographical Markets and Growth Trends

North America accounted for over 35% of the global screen printing market share in 2021
The majority of screen printing businesses (around 65%) operate primarily in urban areas
The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for screen printing technology, with a CAGR of over 6% between 2022 and 2028

Geographical Markets and Growth Trends Interpretation

With North America commanding over a third of the global market, most U.S. screen printers thrive in bustling urban hubs, even as Asia-Pacific's rapid growth—with a CAGR exceeding 6%—signals a promising future where ink and innovation continue to flow across borders.

Growth Trends

The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2030
The number of small-to-medium screen printing companies operating online increased by 40% between 2020 and 2023
The use of simulation software to optimize screen printing operations has increased by 50% since 2019
The rise of e-commerce has increased demand for custom printed merchandise by around 35% from 2019 to 2022

Growth Trends Interpretation

As the screen printing industry surges with a 4.2% CAGR, fueled by a 40% rise in online SMBs, a 50% boost in simulation tech, and a 35% uptick in e-commerce demand, it’s clear that digital innovation and customisation are inked into its vibrant future.

Market Segments and Applications

The global screen printing market was valued at approximately $12 billion in 2021
The apparel segment represented around 40% of all screen printing applications as of 2022
The digital screen printing segment is projected to grow at a faster rate than traditional methods, with a CAGR of 5.7%
Approximately 60% of screen printers use water-based inks
About 70% of screen printers also offer digital or direct-to-garment (DTG) printing services
The most common substrates used in screen printing are cotton, polyester, and blends, representing about 75% of all substrates
The global demand for promotional products, a major segment for screen printing, was valued at over $23 billion in 2021
Custom t-shirts account for roughly 55% of all screen printing jobs in North America
The most common ink colors used in screen printing are white, black, and red, with white ink used in approximately 60% of jobs
Screen printing accounts for about 45% of all packaging labels produced in the decoration industry
The secondary market for used screen printing equipment grew by 18% in 2022, indicating increased industry depreciation and resale
Approximately 58% of screen printers reported an increase in demand for custom sportswear in 2022
The use of mesh screens with finer meshes (200 or higher) has increased by 35% in the last five years due to higher detail requirements
The global market for UV-curable inks used in screen printing is projected to reach $900 million by 2025
Approximately 45% of screen printing businesses generate more than half of their revenue from custom apparel
The healthcare sector is among the fastest-growing segments utilizing screen printing for medical devices and lab equipment, with a CAGR of 4.8%
About 20% of screen printing shops also offer embroidery services, expanding their product portfolio
The U.S. screen printing industry experienced a revenue increase of 8% from 2020 to 2022, driven by e-commerce sales
Screen printing is used in the production of custom packaging, labels, and promotional products, accounting for approximately 22% of the decoration industry
The global demand for holographic and specialty inks in screen printing is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2027

Market Segments and Applications Interpretation

With a global market hitting $12 billion and a booming shift toward digital and specialty inks, the screen printing industry is both vividly colorful and tech-savvy, thriving on a palette of custom apparel, promotional products, and innovative materials—all while quietly reshaping industries from fashion to healthcare one screen at a time.

Technologies and Equipment

The use of automated screen printing presses has increased industry-wide production efficiency by 30% over the last decade
The total number of screen printing equipment units sold globally reached approximately 150,000 in 2021
The cost of a standard manual screen printing press ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on features and automation level
The majority of screen printing shops (around 65%) plan to invest in digital and hybrid printing technologies within the next three years
The number of patents registered in screen printing technology increased by 12% between 2018 and 2023, indicating ongoing innovation in the industry
The average cost of a complete setup for a small screen printing business (including a manual press, curing station, and inks) is approximately $15,000
The adoption of automated registration systems has improved print accuracy by approximately 25% over manual registration
The number of digital screen printing machines sold globally surpassed 50,000 units in 2022, indicating rapid adoption
The average price for large-format screen printing equipment exceeds $100,000, primarily used in industrial applications

Technologies and Equipment Interpretation

As automation and digital innovations increasingly take center stage, the screen printing industry is printing its future brighter and faster—with a 30% efficiency boost, over 150,000 units sold globally, and a clear shift towards high-tech investments, proving that in a world where innovation is king, staying manual is simply not an option.