How to Sell on Amazon Merch
A Step-by-Step Guide to Amazon’s Print-on-Demand Service
Amazon Merch on Demand (also known as Merch by Amazon) is a print-on-demand service that allows individuals and businesses to create designs and sell their products on the platform. Essentially, you just need to upload your design and get it approved, and Amazon takes care of printing it on your chosen products and shipping it to your customers.
Here’s an overview of how it works:
You can put your designs in different products available for Amazon Merch. You have a couple of options:
| Amazon Merch Product Categories | ||
| Tees | Tanks | Pop sockets |
| Long sleeve tees | Totes | Pillows |
| Sweatshirts | Phone cases | Tumblers |
If you’re curious about the quality of products sold on Amazon Merch, here’s a helpful review with close-ups of the products.
Pros and Cons of Amazon Merch
Pros of Amazon Merch
- No upfront costs
- No inventory risks
- Can take advantage of Amazon Prime
- You can upload your designs to other sites.
- It’s a source of passive income.
- Access to Amazon’s huge customer base
Cons of Amazon Merch
- Designs can be removed without notice if they violate Amazon’s policies
- Approval may take a while, and a lot of applicants are rejected
- The platform is very competitive, and big brands are also selling their merch there.
How to Sign Up and Sell on Merch by Amazon
Amazon Merch is invitation-only. To get an invite, you need to go through their application process.
Sign up through https://merch.amazon.com/landing. You will need the following information:
- Business contact information
- Bank account and routing numbers
- Social Security number or other tax identification number
Amazon tries to process the application within 14 days, but it can take longer. Some users report getting the approval email within a week while others receive theirs 3 to 6 months later. You can contact Amazon if you haven’t heard back after 2 weeks, but they will not entertain follow-up emails for applications that are less than 2 weeks.
For faster approval, make sure you abide by Amazon’s Content Policies. This includes basic things like not violating intellectual property rights and not using graphics that promote violence. The more notable violations include adding
- Solicitations for customer reviews
- Content giving the impression sales proceeds will be donated to other organizations or used for charity
- Content that references product, fulfillment, or delivery attributes
When you do get approved, then congratulations! However, please note that when you start, you’ll be limited to just 10 designs. This is the first tier. To move to the next tier, you need to make at least 10 sales. Here are the different tiers in ascending order:
- 10
- 25
- 100
- 500
- Pro
What Do I Do If My Amazon Merch Application Is Rejected?
Amazon expressly states that you can’t submit another request if you get rejected. However, in reality, people have reapplied multiple times before and were eventually approved. They can’t use the same email and information though.
The bad news is the company also doesn’t provide specific reasons for the rejection. However, Amazon recommends looking into the following factors:
- Existence of an Amazon Merch on Demand account
- Having an Amazon Merch on Demand account that has been terminated for violating Amazon’s policies
Other common reasons for rejection include incomplete information, lack of portfolio, and subpar designs.
Some common reasons for rejection include incomplete or inaccurate application information, lack of design experience or portfolio, and insufficiently high-quality designs.
Here are some tips on how to get approved for Amazon Merch:
- Make sure your design and technical specifications are compliant with the guidelines.
- Build a portfolio. A good website will let Amazon know you’re serious about doing the business.
- Establish yourself as a professional designer. Link to your other storefronts to provide proof.
- Make sure that all the information in your application is correct and complete.
How Much Can You Make on Amazon Merch?
You earn on Amazon Merch through royalties, which are calculated as follows:
Amazon’s Cost includes production, fulfillment, customer service, returns, and exchanges, among others.
Your royalty of course depends on how many units you sell. Some people earn a few thousand dollars per year while others manage to make thousands per month.
Final Thoughts
Amazon Merch is great for business-minded creatives who are looking to sell on one of the biggest e-commerce platforms. You don’t need a huge capital to get started, and it’s a good place to test the waters.
However, don’t expect a 7-figure business unless you really work on it or if you manage to make your designs go viral.
What do you think of Amazon Merch? Do you think it’s a good fit for you?
