Searching for a side hustle with virtually zero startup costs? Consider exploring Merch by Amazon, a relatively new business platform that’s transforming how entrepreneurs approach e-commerce.
What Is Merch by Amazon?
Merch by Amazon operates as a print-on-demand service where you design t-shirts and Amazon handles everything else. You upload your graphics to your Merch store, and Amazon produces the shirts, ships them to customers, and processes all payments.
For side hustlers, this presents an exceptional opportunity. There’s no need to print products, manage inventory, or coordinate shipping. Your responsibilities center on creating designs and maintaining your Merch listings—tasks easily managed from any laptop, anywhere. It’s a perfect remote work or work-from-home venture.
What Are The Startup Costs?
Here’s the most compelling aspect of this print-on-demand business model: Joining Merch by Amazon costs absolutely nothing.
Since Amazon uses your designs, you earn royalty-based payments. You set each t-shirt’s price, and Amazon deducts a “Cost + List Fee” from each sale. The remaining amount becomes your royalty payment.
How Much Can You Earn From Merch?
Since its launch, side hustlers have consistently praised Merch’s earning potential. Passive income entrepreneur Ryan Hogue demonstrates this success, sharing how he generated over $700 in profits within a single day using his Merch account. He also interviewed fellow seller CJ, who reportedly earned $300,000 with just 500 products.
Like most print-on-demand businesses, success depends on volume. More products lead to increased sales, higher royalties, and greater monthly income. Consider earning an average of $5 per shirt—selling just 500 items monthly generates $2,500 in revenue!
How To Get Started Selling On Merch By Amazon
Ready to dive into Merch? Here’s everything you need to know to begin.
1- Research Market Demand
Understanding your market should be your first priority before launching any business. Research what’s selling successfully and identify underperforming products.
Begin by browsing available merch shirts in Amazon’s “Novelty & More” category: Clothing, Shoes, and Jewelry : Novelty and More : Clothing : Novelty
Find products with appealing designs or those targeting niches that interest you. Examine each product’s selling rank—higher rankings indicate better sales performance.
Simultaneously, assess competition levels. If your preferred designs come from sellers with numerous five-star ratings, competing against these established sellers may prove challenging.
2- Request An Invitation
Amazon Merch launched in 2015 to overwhelming applicant response. (Many people quickly recognized that selling on Amazon without startup costs was an attractive opportunity!)
Consequently, Merch by Amazon now operates on an invitation-only basis. Click “Request Invitation” and complete the application. Amazon provides no timeline estimates, though Merch Ready Designs suggests responses may take up to six months.
3- Develop Your Graphics
Use your waiting period productively by preparing designs for your future store.
Ensure all designs comply with Merch’s technical requirements. Images must be 300 dpi PNG files, not exceeding 15 by 18 inches (smaller dimensions are acceptable).
Lack design skills? Many successful Merch sellers outsource their graphics. Connect with affordable freelance artists through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Bulk orders can reduce costs to $1-$5 per design.
Whether creating your own designs or working with freelancers, ensure complete originality and Amazon content policy compliance. Amazon strictly prohibits copycats and terminates accounts that violate these policies.
4- Optimize Your Listings
After account activation and image uploads, craft compelling listing descriptions that boost your search engine optimization (SEO). Include relevant keywords to help buyers discover your products, but avoid excessive keyword stuffing.
5- Market Your Products
Despite Amazon’s millions of daily users, effective promotion helps your designs stand out. Leverage social media or your personal website for organic marketing.
Alternatively, invest in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising through popular social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) or Amazon’s own advertising system.
6- Manage Your Product Portfolio
Like traditional retail, not every design becomes a bestseller. Regularly analyze your sales data to identify top performers versus underachieving products. Consider revising listings and sourcing more popular designs to boost overall sales.
Alternative Options If You’re Not Accepted
Amazon doesn’t accept every Merch applicant, but alternative paths exist.
A popular workaround for selling on Amazon involves creating a Shopify print-on-demand account. Shopify operates as an e-commerce platform similar to Amazon, selling t-shirts and other products featuring member designs. Shopify sellers can automatically list their items on Amazon as well.
Shopify provides a comprehensive guide detailing this step-by-step process.
Final Thoughts on Merch By Amazon
For entrepreneurs interested in selling t-shirts or launching their own apparel business, Merch by Amazon offers tremendous potential. You now understand how to navigate the Merch by Amazon selling process. To maximize your success, explore our comprehensive guide featuring essential tips for using Merch by Amazon. Start building your design portfolio today!
