How AI Empowers the Development of Customized Products in E-commerce

Guest blog

In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the demand for customized products in the market. On various e-commerce and creator platforms, small and medium-sized independent brands, including designers, content creators, and e-commerce entrepreneurs, have shown a growing interest in customized products. Every year, a large number of customized T-shirts, phone cases, mugs, hoodies, stickers, hats, and other products enter the e-commerce channels.

Teeinblue Product Personalizer, a print-on-demand personalization app, has collaborated with the AI image processing firm Cutout.pro. Through this partnership, we can witness how artificial intelligence will impact the market of customized products in the future.

About Customized Products

Customized Products - Products tailored to individual or customer requirements, offering personalized experiences and catering to unique needs and preferences. Customized products, sometimes referred to as personalized products, are also known as POD (Print-on-Demand).

It refers to the business model adopted by cross-border e-commerce platforms, allowing one-click order fulfillment without inventory. This model is characterized by low startup costs and fast shipping times. It primarily attracts participation from small to medium-sized businesses.

One of its core advantages lies in the scalability of printing and shipping operations. Representative suppliers in this field include Printify, while other notable startups in this sector include Teeinblue, Printful, Gelato, and Zazzle.

These platforms offer the widest range of product options and printing suppliers, helping businesses overcome many barriers in manufacturing original products. This enables over two million creators to quickly and efficiently start selling their merchandise. As more manufacturers come online through Teeinblue, the company's production capacity will further expand, reaching global users.

AI’s Impacts to the Development of Customized Products

And a significant portion of these advancements can be attributed to the development of artificial intelligence. AI is poised to support the growth of customized products and even e-commerce through various channels. Below are the existing and potential future areas where AI has already or could potentially play a role.

1. Providing Top-Notch Visual Designs

Here are ways that AI helps to create the best artwork:

• Background Removal: If you wish to imprint your desired visual elements on a T-shirt or mug but only have a photo with a complex background, including unrelated individuals or objects, you can utilize Teeinblue's built-in background removal feature. It automatically recognizes and eliminates the background, leaving behind a clean and high-quality portrait.
• Cartoon Selfie: In many cases, you may find a regular portrait not captivating enough. No worries! With the cartoon feature, you can transform your own avatar into various styles, be it American Comic, K-POP, Japanese Manga, or Pixel art. You only need to click once to finish it.
• Background Diffusion: You can see that sofa you've been eyeing in various settings like a cozy living room, a modern minimalist space, or even a chic office setting. The AI algorithm intelligently applies different backgrounds to the product image, seamlessly blending it into different scenes. This allows you to get a better sense of how the product would look and feel in your own home or desired setting.

(The first two functionalities can already be achieved through Teeinblue)

2. Personalized Intelligent Clothing Design

Personalized intelligent clothing design is also one of the directions in personalization. It involves engaging users in the process of designing their own garments to increase user stickiness.

AI image recognition can be integrated into the design to offer different material combinations for the same pattern or different pattern options for the same material. It can even entirely leverage AI to design popular clothing styles and recommend them to users, truly allowing users to have the final say in what they wear.

Moreover, there are several potential functionalities that can be transformed by AI.

3. Potential for Improved Showcase of Customized Products

Product showcasing can be enhanced through visual and textual means. For instance, tools like chatGPT can generate summaries and reviews, allowing users to directly view the customized product experiences of different customers. Additionally, tools like Background Diffusion can generate varied backgrounds for customized products, providing a more immersive display and replicating the physical shopping experience.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, there are more than just static display methods that can be employed. Video and 3D presentations can also be utilized to enhance user understanding.

For instance, AI-generated videos and AI live streams are emerging as future directions, providing users with a heightened sense of shopping security and interactive enjoyment. These dynamic approaches not only increase user engagement but also compensate for the tactile experience that is often missing in online shopping.

Customization is another crucial aspect within these experiences. In a way, product experiences need to be adjusted to accommodate the user's browsing habits, prioritize display content, and ultimately align with the user's intended utilization of the product. Fortunately, all of these adjustments can be accomplished through the power of artificial intelligence.

As AI continues to advance, we can harness its capabilities to create personalized experiences tailored to individual preferences. By analyzing user behavior, preferences, and historical data, AI can offer customized recommendations, ensuring that customers find products that truly meet their specific needs and desires.

Furthermore, AI-powered virtual try-on features enable customers to visualize how customized products would look on them before making a purchase. This not only enhances the shopping experience but also reduces the risk of dissatisfaction and returns.

4. Other Applications of AI in Empowering E-commerce

In today's retail landscape, businesses are embracing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver personalized recommendations that cater to customers' preferences, expectations, and browsing history.

These recommendations not only help users find satisfactory products and services but also provide valuable insights for businesses to offer new product suggestions and trend recommendations. By incorporating vibrant colors and employing captivating copywriting prompts, retailers can attract and engage younger users, creating a dynamic shopping experience.

AI technology also addresses the critical service needs of pre-sales, after-sales, and user feedback interaction. Through AI-driven platforms, businesses can provide proactive pre-sales assistance, guiding customers through the purchasing journey and addressing their queries. Furthermore, AI-powered post-sales services ensure seamless customer support, enhancing satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty.

AI's predictive capabilities play a pivotal role in improving the product experience. By analyzing user feedback and preferences, AI algorithms can anticipate and enhance features that align with customer expectations. This iterative process of product enhancement not only increases customer engagement but also cultivates a deeper connection between the customers and the brand.

Conclusion

AI-powered personalized recommendations and advancements in e-commerce have transformed the retail industry, providing tailored product suggestions and trend recommendations. By leveraging vibrant colors, engaging copywriting, and virtual try-on features, businesses can attract younger users and create a unique shopping experience. AI-driven pre-sales and after-sales services, coupled with continuous product enhancement based on user feedback, further enhance customer engagement and loyalty.

With the power of artificial intelligence, customized products have become more accessible, allowing small to medium-sized businesses to offer printing and logistics services globally. As AI continues to evolve, it will play a vital role in delivering personalized experiences and meeting individual preferences in the e-commerce market.