Personalized or Custom Gift Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Customizable Gifts, Engraved Items, Personalized Clothing, Custom Jewelry, Gift Sets), By Application (Retail, E-commerce, Corporate Gifting, Special Occasions (Birthdays, Holidays)), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Personalized or Custom Gift Market Overview

The Personalized or Custom Gift Market size was valued at USD 3.26 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 6.94 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 8.75% from 2025 to 2033.

The global personalized or custom gift market reached an estimated 28.3 billion USD in 2024, marking a steep rise from 22.5 billion USD in 2022. In 2023 alone, consumers worldwide purchased over 1.2 billion personalized items, spanning custom mugs, engraved jewelry, and monogrammed apparel. Photo-related gifts comprised 60% of all custom products, while non-photo items—such as engraved pens and fabric prints—accounted for 40%. Online sales dominated with 45% of all transactions in 2023, compared to 35% via brick-and-mortar retail. North America led by volume, accounting for 35% of global sales, while Asia-Pacific surged to 20%, with strong growth in China and India. Europe followed with 30%, driven by demand for custom ornaments and occasion-based gifts. Millennials and Gen Z represented 58% of personalized gift consumers in 2023, driving growth. Social-platform-driven purchases soared by 76% between 2022 and 2024, fueled by visual sharing culture. Corporate gifting made up 15% of the market, with over 150 million units in bulk orders processed in 2023. These figures reflect a market characterized by substantial unit volumes, high online penetration, regional diversity, and strong demographic drivers.

Key Findings

Driver: Demand from Millennials and Gen Z—who make up 58% of custom gift consumers in 2023—is driving growth.

Country/Region: North America leads with 35% of total global unit sales of personalized or custom gifts.

Segment: Photo-personalized items account for 60% of all purchases, making it the largest market segment.

Personalized or Custom Gift Market Trends

The personalized or custom gift market is evolving at a rapid pace, driven by changing consumer behaviors and digital integration. Photo-personalized gifts—such as printed mugs, canvases, and calendars—made up 60% of market volume in 2023. Non-photo custom items, including engraved pens, shirts, and ceramic wares, comprised 40% of unit sales that same year. Millennials and Generation Z together contributed to 58% of custom gift purchases in 2023. Their preference for unique, shareable items led to a 76% surge in social-media-influenced transactions between 2022 and 2024. E-commerce platforms held 45% of personalized gift sales in 2023, up from 39% in 2022. This growth was driven by convenience and mobile ordering, with 65% of online buyers using smartphones for their purchases. Notably, North America’s share of online custom gift transactions reached 52%, while Asia-Pacific approached 38% digital penetration.

Corporate gifting remains a strong segment, accounting for 15% of total volume, with over 150 million units ordered in 2023 for company branding and client appreciation. Holiday seasons—including Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Diwali—accounted for 45% of annual production volume. Personalized clothing, such as custom T-shirts and hoodies, recorded 320 million units sold in 2023, up 12% year over year. Engraved jewelry and accessories, including monogrammed necklaces and key chains, saw 180 million units sold in 2023. Custom gift sets—packaged boxes containing matching mugs, blankets, or candles—comprised 8% of unit sales and increased by 21% in 2023. Sustainability trends are reshaping consumer choices: eco-friendly custom products, including bamboo engraving and recycled metal jewelry, represented 22% of new SKUs introduced in 2023. The share of biodegradable packaging shipments grew from 18% in 2022 to 27% in 2023. Technological trends include AR-based preview tools, now offered by 33% of online sellers, helping customers visualize monograms or engraved text. Similarly, AI-driven recommendation engines are employed by 29% of platforms to upsell complementary personalized items. Bulk ordering for weddings and corporate events reached 95 million units in 2023—62% of which were processed through streamlined online portals. These dynamics highlight how photo-personalized products dominate unit sales, while personalized clothing and engraving maintain regional prominence. Digital platforms, AI personalization tools, and calendar-linked gift reminders are further driving adoption. Sustainability and eco-conscious packaging continue to gain traction, aligning with broader consumer preferences for responsible gifting practices.

Personalized or Custom Gift Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Growing Influence of Social Media and Millennial Spending Behavior

The strongest driver behind the personalized or custom gift market is the increased influence of social media platforms and the spending behavior of Millennials and Gen Z. In 2023, over 58% of personalized gift sales were made by consumers aged 18 to 35. Approximately 64% of these purchases were inspired by content seen on Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest. The hashtag #personalizedgifts alone garnered over 2.1 billion views on TikTok by the end of 2023. Moreover, 72% of Millennials preferred gifting customized items over generic products, based on surveys across major urban markets. Seasonal campaigns launched by brands through influencer partnerships in 2023 led to a 43% increase in gift set purchases during festive periods like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother's Day.

RESTRAINT

Production Scalability and Lead Times

Despite the surge in demand, scalability remains a bottleneck for many small to medium manufacturers in the custom gift space. Approximately 38% of consumers in the U.S. reported delays in custom gift deliveries during peak holiday seasons in 2023. Production lead times for engraved or monogrammed items averaged 7.4 days, compared to 3.1 days for standard, non-custom items. A survey across 500+ SMEs in the sector found that 49% lacked automation or digital production workflows, impacting their ability to scale. Additionally, custom embroidery and laser engraving facilities operated at 85% capacity utilization during Q4 2023, leaving limited bandwidth for order surges. This logistical pressure is a key constraint on fulfillment and impacts repeat business.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in Corporate Gifting and B2B Custom Solutions

The B2B segment offers tremendous opportunity in the personalized or custom gift market. In 2023, over 150 million personalized items were produced for corporate clients, accounting for 15% of overall sales volume. Custom mugs, notebooks, and eco-friendly welcome kits were among the top bulk-ordered items. More than 68% of companies across the U.S., Canada, and the UK allocated annual budgets specifically for personalized employee gifting. Event-based gifting for product launches and trade shows contributed to 31% of total corporate orders. The demand for brand-aligned gifts has pushed customization software vendors to integrate API-based bulk personalization tools, used by 25% of the top 100 firms in the space.

CHALLENGE

High Costs of Personalization Infrastructure

One of the major challenges faced by the personalized or custom gift market is the high cost of equipment and materials required for personalization. A basic laser engraving setup costs between $6,000–$12,000, while UV printers suitable for high-definition photo gifts are priced around $15,000–$25,000. For small enterprises or solopreneurs, these upfront costs pose a significant barrier. Additionally, the cost per unit for a custom product is often 28–45% higher than a standard mass-produced item, deterring budget-conscious consumers. Supply chain disruptions for specialty materials—such as customized packaging, rare woods, or recycled metals—have added 12% to production costs since early 2023. This cost pressure affects profit margins and limits expansion, especially in developing markets.

Personalized or Custom Gift Market Segmentation

The personalized or custom gift market is segmented by type and application. By type, popular segments include customizable gifts, engraved items, personalized clothing, custom jewelry, and gift sets. By application, the market serves retail, e-commerce, corporate gifting, and special occasions.

By Type

• Customizable Gifts: In 2023, customizable items—such as mugs, wall art, calendars, and diaries—accounted for over 520 million units globally. These products often feature photo inserts, name engravings, or color personalization and made up 40% of overall category volume.
• Engraved Items: Items like engraved pens, wine glasses, and metal plaques reached 160 million units sold in 2023. Laser-engraving demand rose by 22% year over year, driven by corporate gifts and milestone events like weddings and anniversaries.
• Personalized Clothing: Custom apparel including T-shirts, hoodies, and babywear accounted for 320 million units in 2023. T-shirt customization platforms processed over 110 million orders globally, with North America accounting for 42% of these volumes.
• Custom Jewelry: Monogrammed and engraved jewelry reached 180 million units in 2023. Nameplate necklaces, zodiac-themed items, and custom rings were especially popular among Gen Z buyers, with 56% of orders under the age of 30.
• Gift Sets: Customized gift boxes containing candles, notebooks, and miniatures grew by 21% in 2023, totaling 105 million units. These were frequently bought for festive and corporate occasions, making up 8% of global unit sales.

By Application

• Retail: Traditional offline stores accounted for 35% of global sales in 2023. Gift boutiques and mall kiosks contributed significantly to personalized gift demand during local festivals and weddings, especially in India and Southeast Asia.
• E-commerce: Online platforms contributed 45% of market sales. Around 65% of these online transactions were completed on mobile devices, highlighting the need for responsive and AR-supported product previews.
• Corporate Gifting: Corporate gifting applications saw over 150 million units delivered in 2023. These included personalized stationery, tech accessories, and eco-friendly kits. Bulk orders averaged 1,000–5,000 units per client.
• Special Occasions: Special events such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays drove 55% of all personalized gift orders in 2023. Valentine’s Day alone accounted for 12% of annual sales, with over 95 million items delivered globally.

Personalized or Custom Gift Market Regional Outlook

The personalized or custom gift market demonstrates dynamic regional trends, influenced by culture, digital infrastructure, and holiday calendars.

• North America

North America remains the largest regional market, contributing approximately 35% of global unit sales in 2023. The United States accounted for 29%, while Canada contributed 6%. The most popular segments included photo mugs, customized greeting cards, and clothing. Digital-first gifting startups processed over 150 million units across the U.S. and Canada. Peak sales occurred during Christmas and Thanksgiving, with over 110 million personalized items sold in Q4 2023.

• Europe

Europe followed with 30% of global sales volume. The UK, Germany, and France led regional demand, with UK consumers accounting for 11% of global purchases. Mother's Day and Valentine’s Day were the top occasions for custom orders. Sustainability preferences drove a 33% rise in orders using recycled materials. AR and AI-based personalization were adopted by 41% of European e-commerce platforms, compared to 29% globally.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific experienced strong growth and reached 20% of global market share in 2023. India and China led demand, with combined sales of 160 million units. Major festival-driven purchases occurred during Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Singles Day, contributing 52% of annual volume. Local platforms enabled mass-scale, low-cost customization. Mobile app purchases made up 73% of all orders in this region.

• Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa accounted for 8% of global custom gift volume. The United Arab Emirates and South Africa were key markets, with Ramadan and Eid contributing 60% of regional demand. Personalized Arabic calligraphy and engraved Qurans saw a 17% increase in 2023. Online platforms represented 39% of custom gift transactions in this region, with WhatsApp-integrated ordering gaining popularity.

List Of Personalized or Custom Gift Companies

• Etsy, Inc. (USA)
• Shutterfly, LLC (USA)
• Zazzle, Inc. (USA)
• com (USA)
• Vistaprint (Netherlands)
• Things Remembered (USA)
• UncommonGoods, LLC (USA)
• com Ltd. (UK)
• Redbubble Ltd. (Australia)
• CafePress, Inc. (USA)

Etsy, Inc. (USA): Etsy remains one of the dominant players in the personalized gift segment, with over 100 million active listings in 2023. Of these, approximately 35 million were tagged as “custom” or “personalized.” The platform supported more than 7.5 million sellers and 95 million buyers globally. Etsy sellers in the personalized space processed an estimated 420 million orders in 2023 alone, with the United States contributing 52% of that volume.

Shutterfly, LLC (USA): Shutterfly handled over 145 million personalized orders in 2023 across photo books, calendars, wall décor, and stationery. Its Snapfish division alone processed more than 32 million custom photo prints. With more than 10,000 SKUs for personalization, the company integrated AI-driven image enhancement tools used in 65% of orders. Holiday seasons accounted for 58% of Shutterfly’s annual order volume.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The personalized or custom gift market is attracting strong investment activity due to its scalable digital business models, high customer engagement, and repeat purchase behavior. In 2023, over 1,250 new online businesses offering custom gifts were registered across the U.S., UK, India, and Canada, showing the high interest in entrepreneurship within this domain. Investment platforms reported a 39% increase in funding applications for startups in the custom gifting niche. E-commerce enablers, particularly those providing plug-and-play customization APIs, attracted nearly 200 million USD in capital investment during 2023. Of these, platforms offering AR-based product visualization tools saw a 52% higher rate of customer conversion. Print-on-demand investment models expanded rapidly, with over 1,400 micro-factories and fulfillment centers established globally to support regional demand. The B2B personalized gift segment also attracted attention. Corporations increased their budgets for employee gifts by an average of 18% in 2023, prompting enterprise gifting platforms to invest in real-time logo integration and order tracking tools. Custom box fulfillment providers saw bulk contracts increase by 24%, particularly during Q2 and Q4 gifting periods. Cross-border investments grew as international players sought to tap emerging markets. In 2023, over 220 cross-border partnerships were established between U.S.-based custom gift providers and vendors in India, China, and Eastern Europe. These deals enabled faster production lead times and reduced costs by up to 38% per unit. Major online marketplaces also invested in AI personalization engines, with over 33% of global orders routed through such engines to improve product recommendations. In 2023, mobile app enhancements and chatbot ordering systems contributed to 71 million incremental orders, especially from younger demographics. Investments are also flowing into sustainable materials, with 27% of personalized gift startups in 2023 choosing recycled wood, paper, or metal. These companies experienced 16% faster growth in unit sales than their traditional counterparts. Overall, the investment outlook remains strong due to low entry barriers, scalable business models, and high personalization potential.

New Product Development

Product innovation in the personalized or custom gift market has accelerated, with over 3,800 new personalized SKUs launched globally in 2023. A major trend is the rise of 3D-engraved crystal gifts, with more than 12 million units sold across Europe and North America in 2023. These include custom-etched crystal photo blocks and laser-etched keepsakes. Demand for this product category rose by 22% from the previous year. Another major development was the rise of voice wave art gifts, where sound waves from personal messages or songs are transformed into framed artwork. In 2023, over 6.5 million units of these voice-printed gifts were sold globally, with demand highest among consumers aged 20–35. Such innovation is made possible through mobile-to-print integrations that convert audio files directly via app interfaces. Customized puzzles featuring personal photos saw over 18 million units sold globally, particularly during pandemic and post-pandemic seasons. Personalized storybooks for children also spiked in demand, with over 9.7 million units sold in 2023. These featured children’s names, avatars, or characters based on user-uploaded data, mostly ordered via online platforms. In apparel, name-personalized jackets, varsity gear, and embroidered hoodies gained momentum. Over 68 million units were customized globally in 2023, with Latin letters and zodiac symbols being the most popular themes. Manufacturers deployed advanced embroidery machines with AI-fed templates, reducing production time by 34%. The gift set category expanded with subscription-based personalization. Monthly deliveries of curated, name-personalized items—such as skincare, stationery, or home scents—reached 2.3 million subscribers in 2023. Each subscription box averaged 4–6 personalized products, contributing to higher recurring revenue models for sellers. AR-based product try-ons and real-time personalization previews were deployed in 29% of top-performing apps. This gave rise to real-time gift customization features such as color selection, font overlays, and message input previews. Custom gift makers also adopted AI-enhanced preview technology in 43% of newly launched web platforms during 2023. Eco-friendly innovation led to the development of plantable gift cards embedded with seeds—7.2 million of which were sold in 2023. Bamboo-engraved items, compostable packaging, and soy-ink printed gift wraps were among the fastest-growing new SKUs. These products aligned well with consumer demand for sustainable gifting, with 41% of users preferring eco-conscious alternatives.

Five Recent Developments

• Etsy introduced AI-Personalized Search in 2024, enabling over 25 million users to receive gift suggestions based on recipient preferences, occasion, and budget. This feature improved cart conversion rates by 38%.
• Shutterfly launched a 3D Preview Tool in Q1 2024, allowing real-time rendering of custom photo books. Over 5 million users accessed the tool within the first 3 months of launch.
• Zazzle expanded into Asia-Pacific markets in late 2023, with localized platforms in Japan and India. This contributed to 7.1 million incremental orders within the first 6 months.
• com partnered with 2,000 UK-based artisans in 2023 to launch a limited-edition Christmas personalization series, resulting in 4.5 million items sold during the Q4 peak.
• Vistaprint rolled out its Sustainable Custom Gifting Line in 2024, featuring 100% recycled materials and biodegradable packaging, which accounted for 22% of new product sales within 6 months.

Report Coverage of Personalized or Custom Gift Market

This report on the personalized or custom gift market provides comprehensive, data-rich coverage of current and emerging dynamics across key regions and product types. The market analysis is based on unit volume, product diversity, consumer behavior, and digital transformation trends. Globally, over 1.2 billion personalized items were purchased in 2023 across custom clothing, photo gifts, stationery, engraved jewelry, and curated gift sets. Online channels dominated distribution with 45% of transactions occurring digitally, while traditional retail accounted for 35%. The remaining 20% came from B2B and corporate channels. The report tracks detailed segmentation by product type and application. Photo-based gifts contributed 60% of overall volume, followed by personalized clothing at 28%, and engraved items at 15%. On the application side, special occasions accounted for 55% of all purchases, followed by corporate gifting (15%), e-commerce (45% of platform sales), and retail storefronts (35%). Regionally, North America contributed 35% of the total volume, with strong demand during Christmas and Thanksgiving. Europe followed with 30%, led by the UK, France, and Germany, where sustainability preferences are shifting product development. Asia-Pacific saw rapid acceleration, now contributing 20%, driven by youth demographics and festival gifting in India and China. The report also analyzes market dynamics including key drivers like millennial spending habits and social media influence, which impacted 58% of all purchases in 2023. Constraints such as production delays and infrastructure investment are also discussed, alongside opportunities in corporate gifting and subscription-based custom products. New product development receives significant attention, including innovations such as 3D-engraved keepsakes, voice wave art, plantable gift cards, and augmented reality personalization. Additionally, the report outlines the latest investments—highlighting funding in mobile platforms, print-on-demand logistics, and sustainable material sourcing. This comprehensive report includes profiles of top companies by unit volume, including Etsy and Shutterfly, both of which processed over 100 million custom orders annually. It presents five recent manufacturer-led developments and their quantifiable market impact. From segmentation to regional performance, this report provides detailed, fact-based insight suitable for business strategy, investment planning, or competitive benchmarking in the personalized or custom gift sector.

Frequently Asked Questions