The POD industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by AI, automation, and on-demand manufacturing, while sustainability and digital workflows are now essential for success.
Gelato, a software company on a mission to redefine global manufacturing, has released its 2025 State of Print Production Report, revealing key insights into the evolving print production landscape. Based on responses from print leaders worldwide, the report highlights major industry trends, including the rising adoption of AI, the growing demand for personalization, and the shift toward digital printing.
“The print industry is positioned for massive growth,” said Gelato CEO and Founder, Henrik Müller-Hansen. “Just as Netflix anticipated the streaming revolution and redefined how we consume content, print producers have the power to reimagine how goods are created and delivered. This year is about more than technology – it’s about mindset.”
2025 State of Print Production Report Highlights
Top challenges: Labour shortages, rising material costs, and logistics hurdles remain key barriers for print businesses.
The shift to digital: 75% report a significant increase in digital print production, surpassing offset.
Ecommerce & personalisation: 65% of print providers are integrating web-to-print solutions to meet on-demand customer needs.
Sustainability in print: 70% of respondents say customers expect eco-friendly, locally produced products.
AI and automation lead the charge: A resounding 80% of respondents identified AI-driven tools and automation as essential for improving workflows, reducing costs, and fostering innovation. While there is strong recognition of AI’s potential, only 55% are actively investing in these technologies to stay competitive, signaling room for further adoption.
“AI has incredible potential to transform the world of print production and enable automation of everything from servicing your customers to scheduling and optimizing production,” said Gelato CPO, Marcus Boijemyr.
Customization and ecommerce integration: A notable 70% of printers note that personalization and customization are driving customer preferences, with printers adapting to deliver unique, on-demand experiences and restructure processes for micro orders. Additionally, 65% of survey participants emphasize the role of ecommerce integration in reshaping the industry and creating new revenue opportunities through seamless digital storefronts.
“To thrive, print producers must shift their thinking beyond today’s demands and embrace what younger consumers want—speed, customization, and sustainability,” said Bruce Watermann, Founder and Executive Consultant of PrintReady Network. “The winners in the print industry will embrace technology – from ecommerce integration to automation – to unlock new revenue opportunities and long-term growth.”
Sustainability gains momentum: An impressive 70% of respondents indicated increasing consumer demand for sustainable, eco-friendly products. With 60% of print producers facing rising expectations around shorter turnaround times and lower environmental impact, sustainability has become a must have for business growth.
“Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, demand transparency. They want to know where their products come from, who made them, and how they were produced,” said Gelato COO, Rebecca Razulis. “Sustainability considerations are critical for today’s print producers.”
This report will be of interest to:
- Print business owners looking to scale operations
- Print manufacturers investing in automation and AI
- Ecommerce entrepreneurs leveraging on-demand production
- Supply chain & logistics managers in print production
- Industry analysts & consultants tracking print technology trends
To explore the full insights, download Gelato’s 2025 State of Print Production Report.
About Gelato
Gelato is a software company on a mission to redefine global manufacturing for people and the planet. Through its network of 150+ local production partners in 32 countries, Gelato provides the operating system for local manufacturing,
GelatoConnect. It consolidates every element of digital print production into a single platform, driving profitable growth, efficiency and control.
GelatoCreate, empowers creators and ecommerce entrepreneurs to reach customers anywhere in the world without the burden of inventory, upfront costs, or long-haul shipping. Orders are automatically routed to local production hubs, ensuring products are made closer to the end customer, reducing costs, transportation distances, and waste caused by overproduction. The result is a more streamlined supply chain and new way of manufacturing and distributing products—better for people and the planet.
Gelato was founded by CEO Henrik Müller-Hansen in 2007 and consists of GelatoConnect, GelatoCreate, and GelatoConsumer, operating under the Optimalprint brand. Backed by Insight Partners, Dawn Capital, SoftBank, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Gelato is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with 16 offices worldwide, including in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the US, and Vietnam.
To learn more about Gelato, visit Gelato.com. For career opportunities, visit Gelato’s careers page.
Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by Melody McKinnon, Online Business & Marketing Manager
