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Online Photo Printing in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Matthew Pigott Matthew Pigott New York, United States Last Updated: August 2024 NAICS OD5450

Revenue

$4.3bn

2024

$4.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

8,785

Businesses

653

Wages

$X.Xbn

Online Photo Printing in the US industry analysis

Online photo printing companies have had to compete with the growing popularity of digital photo sharing. Social networks and other photo-sharing sites encouraged an expanding number of consumers to store and print pictures through online channels. The number of broadband and mobile internet connections has increased in recent years. Online photo printing companies have been grappling with increased input costs, primarily driven by rising paper prices spurred by tighter environmental regulations and reduced logging activities. As a result, companies have had to hike their prices to balance these additional expenses, limiting consumer demand for photo printing. Revenue has fallen at a CAGR of 3.0% to reach $4.3 billion in 2024, including a 1.6% contraction in 2024.

Trends and Insights

  • Rising costs impact photo printing prices. Online photo printing services have had to raise prices because of higher input costs, particularly for paper. Reduced logging and stricter environmental regulations have led to this hike, squeezing consumers' wallets.
  • Standard photo prints are losing ground. With the rise of social media and online sharing platforms offering free, instant photo access, traditional prints on standard photography paper are struggling to stay relevant.
  • Online photo printing companies aren't tied to population centers. Unlike traditional retail, they market and ship nationwide, making local population density less critical.
  • Online photo printing companies can compete by offering services like unlimited cloud storage or unique photo gifts. Companies that differentiate themselves from competitors are more successful in the industry.

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  • 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 3.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $4.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Economic trends inflated purchase costs

  • Online photo printing companies have raised their prices to offset higher input costs. The price of paper has risen because of reduced logging activities and more stringent environmental regulations.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Online Photo Printing in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

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

Trends and Insights

Consumer trends will continue to drive growth

  • Per capita disposable income will strengthen considerably in the coming years, supporting greater discretionary spending. As consumers have more money to spend, there will be an uptick in events and participation in artistic hobbies like photography.

Biggest companies in the Online Photo Printing in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Shutterfly Inc.
2,020.9
129.7
6.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Online Photo Printing in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Photobooks, Prints on standard photography paper and Specialty photo prints. Photobooks is the largest segment of the Online Photo Printing in the US.

Trends and Insights

Prints on standard photography paper are struggling

  • Prints on standard photography paper are high-quality, customizable prints offered by online photo printing services, ideal for personal photos, memorabilia and professional displays.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry offers photo printing services online. It does not include printing services within brick-and-mortar stores. Online photo printing is not the same as digital photo printing, but rather is a subset, as digital photos must be in digital form for customers to order online. Digital photos could be printed within a physical store; however, they would not be included in this industry. Further, commercial online printing services are excluded from this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Printing photobooksPrinting on standard photography paperSpecialty photo printsEnterprise services

Companies

Shutterfly Inc.

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Related Terms

BRICK-AND-MORTARIMAGE PROCESSINGPHOTO SHARING

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 51913 - Online Photo 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

Rising costs impact photo printing prices. Online photo printing services have had to raise prices because of higher input costs, particularly for paper. Reduced logging and ...

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

Standard photo prints are losing ground. With the rise of social media and online sharing platforms offering free, instant photo access, traditional prints on standard photog...

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

Online photo printing companies aren't tied to population centers. Unlike traditional retail, they market and ship nationwide, making local population density less critical.

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

Online photo printing companies can compete by offering services like unlimited cloud storage or unique photo gifts. Companies that differentiate themselves from competitors ...

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

Shutterfly is a private company headquartered in California with a notable market share in photography, photofinishing and online photo printing. Its biggest share is in onli...

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 Shutterfly Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Shutterfly Inc., 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

Photo printing often involves hazardous chemicals. These activities fall under regulation by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state affiliates to prevent envi...

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 is improving despite rising costs, thanks to lower wages and downsizing. Online photo printers deal with rising input costs by passing them onto consumers, helping kee...

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 Online Photo Printing in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Online Photo Printing in the US industry in United States is $4.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Online Photo Printing in the US industry in 2024?

There are 653 businesses in the Online Photo Printing in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

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

The market size of the Online Photo Printing in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

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

Over the next five years, the Online Photo Printing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Online Photo Printing in the US market in United States?

The biggest company operating in the Online Photo Printing market in United States is Shutterfly Inc.

What does the Online Photo Printing in the US in United States include?

Printing photobooks and Printing on standard photography paper are part of the Online Photo Printing in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Online Photo Printing in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Shutterfly Inc..

How competitive is the Online Photo Printing in the US industry in United States?

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

Related Industries

Widen you competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Printing in the US
  • Photofinishing in the US

Complementors

  • Camera Stores in the US
  • Photography in the US
  • E-Commerce & Online Auctions in the US

International industries

  • Photography in Canada
  • Professional Photographic Services in Australia
  • Photographic Activities in the UK

View all industries in United States

Methodology

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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.

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