Merch by Amazon Review (2024): The Complete Guide

In today’s Merch by Amazon review, we’re taking a closer look at one of the most popular tools for print-on-demand selling in the modern world.

Created by the world’s leading ecommerce marketplace giant, Merch by Amazon is a simple and straightforward platform where creators and entrepreneurs can customize a variety of products to sell to a worldwide audience.

Merch by Amazon allows would-be business owners to leverage all the benefits of the Amazon ecosystem, to create high-quality products and ship them to customers worldwide, using Amazon’s leading fulfilment services.

Since launching in 2015, Merch by Amazon has earned significant attention in the ecommerce landscape, with some entrepreneurs earning thousands on the platform.

The question is, should you be using Amazon’s print on demand service to launch your business?

We took a behind-the-scenes look at the features, pricing, pros, and cons, to help you decide.

What is Merch by Amazon?

Otherwise known as “Amazon Merch on Demand”, Merch by Amazon is the print on demand service owned, managed, and operated by the Amazon company.

It was first introduced to the market in 2015, initially promising business leaders a convenient way to create and sell custom t-shirts online.

Since then, the print on demand service has evolved, offering access to a range of product options, from hoodies and sweatshirts, to pop sockets and tote bags.

Like most POD solutions, Merch by Amazon allows companies to delegate the production, fulfillment, and shipping aspects of running an online business to a reputable third-party company.

With this service, you can add your own designs to a variety of product types, which are then produced by Amazon “on-demand” whenever you receive an order, and shipped directly to customers.

However, unlike other POD services, Merch doesn’t ask merchants to pay for the base price of each product they create.

Instead of paying for printing, production, and shipping costs, you pay nothing initially, and earn a “commission” from each sale you make.

User Experience

When it comes to choosing the best POD solution for your growing business, ease of use is a crucial priority worth considering. Notably, Merch by Amazon is a straightforward and easy-to-use platform, packed with intuitive tools to make your life easier.

There’s a dashboard to help you track how many products you’ve made and how many you’ve sold. You can also access various straightforward design tools to help you add custom elements to products.

However, compared to other POD services, Merch by Amazon does have some confusing elements.

First, you’ll need to apply to sell on the platform, using the Amazon Merch on Demand sign-up form. While the application process is pretty smooth, it can take a while for retailers to be approved.

Once you’re accepted, you’ll also be entered into a “tier system” which dictates how you can use the service. Beginners on the platform can only design and sell 10 items to start with.

As your company grows, earning revenue and positive feedback from customers, you progress to new tier levels, unlocking additional design slots.

This structure helps Amazon to ensure they’re not overwhelming their facilities, and encourages companies to promote their products more actively to level up. However, it can also make it difficult to scale your business quickly.

Product Options

As mentioned above, when Merch by Amazon was first launched, it started as a platform for creating custom t-shirts. Since then, Amazon has added other products to its collections, giving companies more room to experiment with options such as:

• Apparel: T-shirts, V-neck shirts, tank tops, crewneck sweatshirts, pullover and zip hoodies, baseball t-shirts and long-sleeve t-shirts.
• Accessories: PopSockets grips for phones and custom phone cases.
• Other items: Tote bags, and throw pillows.

While there aren’t quite as many product options to choose from for your side hustle as you’d get from competing companies like Printful, Printify, or Redbubble, there’s still plenty of scope to create a profitable product collection.

Additionally, all product options from Amazon come with templates for Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and GIMP, as well as sizing instructions.

Merch by Amazon's The Features

Feature-wise, Merch by Amazon is a relatively straightforward and simple POD platform. It doesn’t offer any particularly advanced features, such as AI-driven design tools or integrations with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. However, it does provide users with:

• Design templates: Companies can use design templates for each product to ensure the artwork for their pieces uploads smoothly, and looks great. There are also step-by-step guides and tips on how to use graphical tools to create your designs on the Amazon site.
• Design editor: The design editor on the Merch by Amazon platform helps you examine how each product will look before its printed. You can experiment with different dimensions, color palettes, and safe zones when creating your mock-ups.
• Amazon listings: Because Amazon Merch on Demand integrates seamlessly within the Amazon marketplace, it allows users to automatically create listings for their newly designed products which can be discovered by millions of existing Amazon customers.
• Marketing: While you can use external marketing methods like social media and SEO to boost the visibility of your products, Amazon also offers access to “Merch by Amazon” advertising. This allows companies to create pay-per-click promotions for products.
• Analytics and reporting: Merch by Amazon includes a dashboard for sales tracking and product management, as well as analytical tools to help you measure the performance of your designs, monitor your marketing campaigns, and boost your visibility.
• Fulfillment: Amazon lists all MBA printed products as “prime eligible” and uses its global fulfillment network to ship items to your customers. This means you can leverage rapid one-day shipping with MBA, and deliver products to customers worldwide with FBA services.

Ultimately, Merch by Amazon allows companies, influencers, and merch sellers to increase their earning potential, by taking advantage of Amazon’s expertise. You get access not just to a print-on-demand service, but also Amazon’s complete network of tools for logistics, shipping, sales, distribution, and customer service.

How Much Does it Cost to Use Amazon Merch on Demand?

If you’re thinking of becoming an Amazon seller with the MBA service, it’s worth taking a moment to determine how much you can expect to pay on the platform, and how much you can reasonably earn.

The good news is that creating an Amazon account with MBA and selling your designs doesn’t cost anything. There are absolutely no upfront costs for signing up, hosting merchandise on the marketplace, printing designs on products or shipping items to customers.

However, while the startup costs for this Amazon program might be low, your potential profit margins could be limited too.

The platform doesn’t give you full access to the revenue you make from each product sale. Instead, they keep most of the profit, and pay a royalty or commission to you for your design with each sale.

The commissions you receive are based on the purchase price of each product, as well as your location, and the type of product you sell.

You can see a full rundown of the royalties you can receive for each item here.

While Merch by Amazon does allow you to set your own prices for each new design you want to sell, ensuring you can experiment with pricing strategies and profit margins, earning a decent income can be difficult.

It’s also worth noting there may be additional fees and costs to pay for your service. For instance, if items are returned by customers and need to be stored in Amazon warehouses, you may need to pay for storage. You’ll also need to pay for any fulfillment strategies that don’t use Amazon services.

Customer Service

Amazon offers customer support and service options to sellers, to help them make the most of their growing business.

First, there are FAQ guidelines, articles, and blogs available online to help you leverage the various design tools and fulfillment services offered by Amazon.

You can also download templates which help to eliminate the need to hire a professional graphic designer.

If you need specialist support with your service, you can reach out via email or live chat, or fill out a special form for MBA sellers. Plus, there are dedicated communities and forums where sellers can interact with other business owners.

It’s also worth noting that Amazon handles customer support for your buyers too.

They handle queries about production, fulfillment, shipping, and returns, so you can spend less time dealing with queries, and more time focusing on growing your business.

Pros and Cons of Merch by Amazon

It’s easy to see why Merch by Amazon is one of the most popular print on demand platforms for influencers, designers, bloggers, and content creators alike.

Once you’ve been approved to sell on the platform, you can start creating merch and products in an instant, unlocking amazing opportunities to earn a consistent, passive income.

Plus, you get to take advantage of all the benefits of the Amazon marketplace, from its huge customer base to the global Amazon fulfillment service.

On the other hand, Merch by Amazon does have a few downsides. The approval process can be time-consuming, and scaling your business can take significant time and effort for a new Amazon business.

You also have limited control over production and fulfilment as a business owner, and could struggle to make a profit with low commissions, and hefty competition on the marketplace.

Merch by Amazon Review: The Verdict

Overall, Merch by Amazon offers a straightforward solution to entrepreneurs and creatives looking to get started in the world of custom product sales.

If you’re looking for a way to sell branded merch and t-shirt designs with minimal upfront investment, MBA is a great tool. It can help you track your best sellers, access powerful fulfillment services, and even boost your online visibility.

However, there are some downsides to this platform too. For instance, you’ll be responsible for drawing attention to your new products with keyword research, product description optimization, and other marketing strategies.

You’ll also be relatively limited in the types of products you can create, and the profits you can make, thanks to Amazon’s POD structure.

For beginners, Amazon is a cost-effective POD solution. However, if you’re looking for a more versatile range of products, and bigger profit margins, you could always consider using an alternative POD tool with Amazon integrations.

Solutions like TeeSpring and TeeLaunch can integrate with Amazon, and other ecommerce platforms, to give you more room for growth.

Merch by Amazon FAQ

How long does it to be approved for Merch by Amazon?

It can take between a couple of days and a few weeks for your account to be approved by Amazon. The approval process generally involves an evaluation of your business, the products you’re going to be selling, and the quality of your designs.

How does Merch by Amazon compare to other POD platforms?

Merch by Amazon benefits from an integration with the Amazon ecosystem. Sellers get access to the worldwide marketplace, prime shipping, and a fantastic range of fulfillment resources. However, the platform offers fewer products than most POD solutions. Additionally, the “royalty based” profit structure could mean you struggle to make a large income.

Are there any restrictions on products you can sell with MBA?

Merch by Amazon has specific guidelines you’ll need to follow when it comes to adding unique designs to its available products. You can’t use any copyrighted or trademarked designs, and you may be restricted from using designs deemed low-quality, or offensive.