Pet product customization
A growing trend as pets become more than family
By Shelley Widhalm
Image courtesy of LAT Apparel
Graphics shops and pet product suppliers are attracting their customers with dual-use and duo products in line with a growing trend of seeing pets not only as family members but as fur babies.
“Pets have always been part of the family, but as more couples and individuals choose to be child‑free, the role pets play continues to grow, and personalization allows everyday pet products to become expressions of personality, sentiment, and connection,” said Jackie Feath, marketing coordinator at Rowmark.
In fact, the way people think about pet products is starting to mirror how they shop for apparel and lifestyle goods, said Kylie Ohmi, graphic designer at Los Angeles Apparel.
“People see pets as an extension of the household, so products are expected to reflect that,” Ohmi said. “Products like bandanas, collars, harnesses, and pet-adjacent home goods are being designed with more intention, not just function. There’s also more overlap between what people and their pets wear, whether that’s in color, fabric, or branding.”
Another growing trend is pet-and-parent duo products, such as matching apparel, complementary accessories like matching bandanas for a dog and dog parent, and matching collar charms and key chains.
“Graphics shops can take advantage of the pet products boom by thinking in collections rather than one‑off products,” said Caleb Nugteren, multimedia designer for JDS Industries. “For example, a matching set that includes a bowl, bandana, and treat jar can increase order value while giving customers a cohesive look.”
Image courtesy of LAT Apparel
Utilitarian pet products
Rowmark, for instance, is seeing an increase in sales of traditional pet products like bowls, leashes, and tags personalized to cats, dogs, and other pets and their owners. That’s in line with customers wanting to invest in high-quality, personalized products to purchase items that are custom-made, gift‑worthy, and that tell a story or capture a specific pet’s identity with names, photos, and personality quirks.
“In addition to traditional pet products … we’re seeing a rise in utilitarian pet products,” Feath said. “Think custom waste bag holders, customized leash hooks, treat containers, feeding stations, and toy storage boxes.”
Images courtesy of JDS Industries
Pet bowls, like sublimatable ceramic or engravable powder‑coated stainless steel, are a perfect item for personalization. Adding a pet’s name, a repeating pattern, or a full‑color photo turns the bowls into something personal and gift‑worthy.
“Pet bowls, especially powder-coated stainless steel options, are highly popular because they’re durable, practical, and easy to customize with names, icons, or graphics using a laser,” said Corey Kelly, marketing manager of Trotec Laser. “Matching items like tumblers for pet owners adds an extra layer of appeal and increase in sales opportunities.”
Pet tags are a traditional pet product that can be made to be fun and playful through personalization, from basic identification of name and phone number to adding photos and phrases. The tags come in a variety of shapes, colors, and finishes that give customers options that feel personal.
Pet tags are easy for graphics shops to sell, fabricate, and ship because they’re small, affordable, and simple to customize, Feath said. Some examples include white aluminum pet tags, anodized dog tags for engraving, and custom leashes, pet shirts, and sublimation-ready collars.
Images courtesy of Los Angeles Apparel
Pet clothes
Clothing, like pet tees, hoodies, and bandanas are simple, visible items that are easy to integrate into a customer’s routine, Ohmi said.
“Just like human fashion, pet fashion follows the seasons and holidays,” Miller said. “From festive Halloween costumes to cozy winter sweaters, seasonal collections keep pet fashion fresh and relevant.”
“Key trends include the rise of performance-driven apparel like weatherproof jackets, cooling vests, and recovery garments, reflecting a shift toward health, safety, and everyday utility,” said Tami Miller, director of creative marketing for LAT Apparel. “Personalization and a better fit are also drivers of growth in the pet apparel space. The most successful brands are those that deliver on comfort, functionality, and fit, creating products that seamlessly fit into both the pet’s life and the owner’s lifestyle.”
Images courtesy of Los Angeles Apparel
“Those same products are also the easiest to personalize because there’s a clear surface area and a natural reason to customize, whether that’s a name, a graphic, or a color story,” Ohmi said. “They don’t feel forced. From a design standpoint, they behave a lot like small apparel pieces, which makes them easy to adapt within an existing system.”
Pet clothing can also be eco-friendly, where sustainability is a growing trend in the pet fashion industry, Miller said.
“Brands are using eco-friendly materials, such as organic cotton and recycled fabrics, to create stylish and environmentally responsible pet apparel,” Miller said, adding that there is also functional pet fashion that combines style with practicality. “Examples include raincoats for wet weather, reflective vests for nighttime visibility, and cooling vests for hot summer days. These items ensure pets are comfortable and safe while looking fashionable.”
Image courtesy of JDS Industries
Keepsakes & decor
“Pet tags and memorial pieces have always been staples, but the market is moving toward more lifestyle-oriented products that celebrate the bond between pets and their owners. We’re seeing growth in accessories like custom ornaments, keychains, leashes, and even coordinated pet-and-owner gift sets,” Kelly said. “Growth is largely driven by younger generations who tend to treat pets as family and are willing to spend more on premium, personalized products.”
There are also emerging pet products like nose print items, where a pet’s nose print is captured and turned into a one-of-a-kind keepsake, said Nugteren. Similarly, pet portrait products continue to be in demand and are evolving as new techniques and styles emerge, such as embroidered portraits or more illustrative design styles, Nugteren said.
“What’s important is not just copying trends, but adapting them to the equipment and products you already offer,” Nugteren said. “For example, a shop might recreate the look of embroidery through sublimation by using rope‑style or stitch‑inspired fonts, achieving a similar aesthetic with a unique production twist.”
For the home, Rowmark offers wood photo blocks with sublimatable plates, sublimation hardboard wall tiles, and maple keepsake boxes and other pet memorials.
“Photo products are always gaining momentum,” Feath said. “Mini pet gallery walls, framed prints, and memory boxes allow pet parents to showcase their pets in the same way they would a family member.”
Photo blocks, framed prints, and even pet bowls can be matched to the existing colors in the living or dining room, kitchen, or wherever the items are placed.
“For example, if a customer has a specific home decor look they want to match, you can make it happen,” Feath said. “Consumers are eager for dual-use products that help organize, simplify, or add novelty to everyday pet care while adding personality.”
Home decor can be matched not just in colors, but in style as well, Nugteren said. “When certain fonts, materials, or aesthetics — like cozy, handcrafted, or cottage‑inspired styles — become popular with consumers, they tend to show up quickly in pet accessories as well.”
The personalization processes
Graphics shops can treat pet products as an extension of what they already make, Ohmi said.
“If you’re already set up for apparel decoration, those same processes can be applied to pet accessories without needing to overhaul your workflow,” Ohmi said. “It’s best to focus on a concise range of products that are straightforward to produce and built to last. Durability is integral, as these items need to withstand washing, friction, and regular use. From a production standpoint, it’s less about specific equipment and more about selecting the right method for each material while maintaining flexibility for small runs and custom orders.”
The idea is to produce consistent, well-made, and durable products that customers will want to continue to buy, Ohmi said.
Image courtesy of Trotec Laser
“The growth seems to be driven by the same things we see across the brand: people investing in everyday basics that feel considered and well-made,” Ohmi said. “Pet ownership is growing, and people are willing to spend a little more if the product feels durable and intentional rather than disposable.”
Graphics shops can capitalize on the pet economy by offering those durable, as well as customized, high-margin products like apparel and personalized branded options like the bowls and collars, Miller said. Utilizing heat transfer and sublimation technology, the shops can offer instant personalized products, she said.
The growth in all kinds of personalized pet products has increased the demand for customization and short-run production. Kelly said.
“Laser systems support this by allowing businesses to quickly adapt designs and fulfill on-demand orders without added setup time,” Kelly said. “Graphics shops can hop on this trend by using laser systems to quickly personalize everything from tags and collars to bowls and photo engravings.”
Lasers make production easy, since there won’t be any tooling changes and the run is fast from design to finished product, Kelly said.
“That speed and flexibility are perfect for on-demand and e-commerce. Pair that with quality materials and creative designs, and it’s a great way to stand out and boost margins.”
Shops can aim to make personalization something that’s simple and also visual, Nugteren said.
“Clear customization options, font previews, and examples help customers feel confident in ordering,” Nugteren added. “Trends move quickly, so being able to test small runs and pivot fast is a big advantage.”
Graphics shops can take advantage of the pet products boom in other ways, especially since they’re already using the technologies that make it easy to create custom pet items, such as lasering, sublimation, UV-LED, and UV-DTF printing, which are suitable for all types of materials.
“From an equipment standpoint, investment in reliable heat presses, engraving systems, and UV‑LED capability allows shops to cover a wide range of pet products without overcomplicating production,” Feath said.
When it comes to equipment, that versatility also is key, Nugteren said.
“Lasers, sublimation setups, and UV and DTF printers all have a place in pet products, often using the same equipment shops already own,” Nugteren said. “Sublimation is great for bowls, bandanas, and enamelware like treat canisters, while lasers shine for tags, frames, memorial items (like wind chimes), and engraved decor.”
For our furry friends
“Growth in the pet [apparel] market is measured through overall market size, growth rate, and increasing spend per pet owner, all of which show steady expansion as the category moves into the mainstream,” Miller said. “What’s notable is that much of the growth is not coming from more pet ownership, but from increased spending per pet as owners trade up to higher-quality and more specialized products.”
Graphics shops can showcase finished samples that demonstrate personalization quality and make their pet products visible year‑round, not just during the holidays, Feath said.
“To succeed in this space, shops should focus on offering curated pet product collections rather than single items and highlighting emotional use cases such as memorials, gifts, and milestones,” Feath said. “Graphics shops have a huge opportunity for success with pet products.”
Shelley Widhalm is a freelance writer and editor and founder of Shell’s Ink Services, a writing and editing service based in Loveland, Colorado. She can be reached via shellsinkservices.com.
