Ever thought about turning your artwork into something people can actually hang on their walls? That’s where print on demand (POD) comes in—and right now, it’s more popular than ever.
Print on demand is a way to sell custom-designed products—like posters, canvases, t-shirts, or mugs—without having to buy a ton of inventory upfront. Instead, your product is only printed when someone places an order. That means no stockpiling, no warehouses, and no dealing with leftovers you can’t sell.
You just upload your art or design, choose the product (like a framed canvas), and the POD platform takes care of the rest—from printing to shipping it straight to your customer. Easy, right?
Here’s the deal: traditional selling methods come with a lot of baggage. Inventory management, upfront costs, packaging, shipping—it’s a lot, especially if you're just starting out or you're an artist who just wants to focus on creating.
Print on demand, on the other hand, is low-risk and hassle-free. You don’t need a big budget. You don’t need a storage unit full of unsold prints. You just need your creativity and a good platform to bring it to life.
And that’s exactly why more creatives—especially artists, photographers, and designers—are diving into the POD world. It lets you test designs, build your brand, and make sales with almost zero overhead.
Print on demand isn’t just trending—it’s turning into a serious global industry. Whether you’re a side hustler with a design idea or a full-time creative looking to monetize your art, the POD market is where a lot of opportunity lives right now.
Let’s talk numbers for a second. The global POD market was valued at over $6 billion in recent years, and it’s expected to keep growing steadily, hitting double-digit growth rates over the next few years. Why? Because more and more people are buying custom, niche, and personalized products online.
And here’s the kicker: people aren’t just buying t-shirts anymore. Wall art—especially posters and canvases—is one of the fastest-growing categories. That’s great news for artists and illustrators who want to turn their digital creations into real, tangible products.
The U.S. is currently the biggest player in the POD space, thanks to platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon. But Europe and Asia are quickly catching up as more local sellers and artists explore digital storefronts.
E-commerce is also making it easier than ever to reach a global audience. You can be in a small town, upload your artwork to a POD platform, and ship a canvas to someone across the world—without ever handling the product yourself. That’s the beauty of the model.
What does all this mean for you? It means there’s a growing audience out there ready to buy unique, made-to-order art and products. People want something personal, something that feels like it was made just for them—and that’s exactly what POD delivers.
The print-on-demand industry is moving fast—and if you're planning to dive in, it's worth knowing what’s hot and what’s next. Let’s break down some of the top trends shaping the scene in 2025, especially for artists looking to sell their designs on canvases and posters.
More customers are asking: “How was this made?” Eco-conscious buying isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming the standard. POD platforms are responding by offering more sustainable printing methods, using eco-friendly inks, recycled paper, and ethically sourced materials.
If your brand values the environment, highlighting sustainability can seriously boost your appeal. Think about it—your art hanging on someone’s wall, and it’s also helping the planet? That’s a win-win.
People don’t just want beautiful wall art—they want something personal. More POD platforms are offering advanced customization tools so customers can add names, dates, quotes, or even tweak colors.
This trend is a goldmine for creatives. Imagine turning a basic design into 10 personalized products just by letting customers tweak a few details. More variety, more sales, same original artwork.
Yep, AI is everywhere—even in design. Some artists are using AI tools to generate backgrounds, mockups, or entire art pieces they can adapt and sell. While it might not replace your unique artistic style, AI can help you speed up production or brainstorm ideas when you’re stuck.
Pro tip: Use AI to enhance your work, not replace it. Your personal style is still your biggest selling point.
T-shirts and mugs will always be around, but home decor is stealing the spotlight. Posters, canvases, framed prints, and wall tapestries are dominating the market—especially since more people are working from home and want to level up their spaces.
As an artist, this is the perfect time to focus on wall art. Your digital illustrations, paintings, or even quotes can easily become the centerpiece of someone’s living room.
Let’s face it—stats might not be the most exciting part of running a creative business, but they can tell you a lot about where things are headed. And if you're thinking about selling your art on posters or canvases, these numbers show why now’s a smart time to jump in.
As of 2024, the global print-on-demand market is estimated to be worth over $6.5 billion—and that number is expected to grow to nearly $10 billion by 2027. That’s a massive leap in just a few years, driven by demand for custom, on-demand products in e-commerce.
It’s not just about more people shopping online—it’s about what they’re shopping for. Personalized items. Meaningful gifts. Statement pieces. And yes, wall art is at the top of that list.
Canvas prints are one of the fastest-growing POD product types. Why? Because they make great home decor, gifts, and even office art. And with the rise of remote work, people are putting more effort into creating inspiring spaces at home.
Here’s a stat for artists: Over 60% of POD customers say they prefer buying from creators or small brands over big-box retailers. That means your artwork has an edge simply because it’s original and not mass-produced.
While platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon still lead in POD sales, many artists are moving to dedicated POD platforms that focus specifically on print products (like Printumo, more on that soon 😉).
These specialized platforms are built with artists in mind, offering tools for selling wall art without all the extra e-commerce clutter.
Here’s something important: customers are getting used to waiting a few extra days for something they truly love. Thanks to better fulfillment systems, most POD orders now arrive in 5–7 days. And because the product is made just for them, people are willing to wait a little longer.
So if you’ve ever worried that “made-to-order” is a turnoff—it’s not. In fact, it’s becoming the norm.
With so many POD platforms out there, it can feel overwhelming trying to pick the right one—especially when you're an artist just trying to get your work out into the world. That’s where Printumo steps in—and honestly, it’s a game-changer for creatives who want to sell canvas and poster prints without the headache.
Unlike some platforms that treat art like just another product, Printumo is built with visual creators in mind. Everything from the design upload process to how your product listings are displayed is designed to showcase your art in the best light.
No complicated storefront setup. No need to learn code. Just upload your artwork, choose your format (hello, beautiful framed canvas prints 👋), and you’re basically in business.
One of the biggest worries artists have when using POD is quality. What if your vibrant digital painting turns into a faded, pixelated mess on someone’s wall?
With Printumo, that’s not an issue. They use museum-grade canvas, archival inks, and precise color calibration so your prints come out exactly how you envisioned them—crisp, bold, and gallery-worthy.
Let’s be real: you probably didn’t become an artist to deal with shipping labels and packaging. Printumo handles all the backend stuff, from printing to packing to shipping. That means you can focus on your craft while they take care of logistics.
And because they specialize in canvas and poster prints, fulfillment is faster and more streamlined than on “do-everything” platforms that try to juggle mugs, t-shirts, puzzles, and socks all at once.
Printumo isn’t just about selling one piece of art—it’s about building your brand. With tools to help you create a curated gallery, promote your work, and track your sales, it feels more like your personal studio store than a faceless online marketplace.