How to Start an Amazon Print on Demand Business

In recent years, platforms like Amazon have transformed how people shop and sell online. Each month, 2.4 billion visitors shop on Amazon. As a marketplace, Amazon offers a beginner-friendly way to start selling without needing technical skills to create a website from scratch.

But is selling print-on-demand products on Amazon profitable? Despite growing competition, you can still make money selling custom stuff online. Success depends on creating designs for specific niches, setting competitive prices, and putting effort into marketing.

With this guide, we will walk you through the steps to build a successful Amazon print-on-demand business!

What is Print on Demand on Amazon?

Let’s start with the basics: Print on Demand (POD) is a business model where sellers create custom products based on customer preferences, without worrying about inventory or production. On Amazon, this model allows sellers to offer various items like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases by teaming up with POD services that handle printing and shipping directly to buyers.

So, how does Print on Demand work on Amazon?

Here’s a simple breakdown:

1. Create Designs: Sellers design unique graphics, artwork, or text to add to products.
2. Platform Integration: They use Amazon's Merch by Amazon program or partner with a POD provider.
3. List Products: Sellers list their custom items on Amazon with attractive titles and descriptions.
4. Order Fulfillment: When a customer creates an order, the POD provider or Merch by Amazon prints the item and delivers it directly to the customer.

This business model allows sellers to focus on creating designs and marketing their products while the POD service manages the production and delivery process.

With its low-risk setup and Amazon’s massive customer base, many entrepreneurs are finding success with Print on Demand. But is it still a good opportunity in 2024? Let’s dive into that next!

Why Should You Sell POD Products on Amazon?

Selling Print on Demand (POD) products on Amazon, especially through Amazon Merch on Demand, is a great chance for anyone looking to earn passive income with minimal upfront costs. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

1. Generate Passive Income: Amazon Merch on Demand lets you earn money by selling products featuring your custom designs. Once you upload a design and list it, you can earn royalties every time the product sells. A popular design can keep generating income for years, even without constant updates or effort.

2. Leverage Amazon’s Expertise: Amazon handles printing, production, shipping, and customer service, therefore you can focus on creating unique designs and marketing your products. Plus, with access to Amazon’s massive audience of over 310 million active customers, your chances of making sales are much higher.

3. Low Startup Costs: Unlike traditional businesses, Amazon Merch on Demand has no upfront costs. You only pay when a product sells, making it an affordable option for designers, artists, or entrepreneurs who want to start small without financial risk.

Selling POD products on Amazon combines ease, affordability, and access to a global marketplace, making it an excellent choice for those looking to turn their creativity into steady income.

If you prefer having your own online store, using a website builder might be a better choice. Shopify stands out as a top choice, offering tools like the Shopify Page Builder, such as EComposer, for easy customization and personalization. Plus, it can give you more flexibility because it integrates seamlessly with Amazon and other marketplaces.

Still deciding between Shopify and Amazon? Check out our blog to help you make the best choice!

Step-by-Step Guide to Sell Print on Demand on Amazon

If you have made a decision on selling Print on demand products on Amazon, then let’s get started with essential steps to help this business work.

Step 1: Identify your Niche

The first step in starting your Print on Demand (POD) business on Amazon is finding a specific niche for your products. This is important because Amazon has millions of products for sale, so narrowing your focus helps you stand out and attract the target customers.

How to Identify Your Niche:

1. Research on Amazon: Use Amazon’s search bar to explore popular products and see what’s trending. Pay attention to what customers are looking for.
2. Analyze Competitors: Look at other sellers in your chosen niche. Study their product listings, reviews, and pricing to see what works and what doesn’t.
3. Explore Sub-Niches: Instead of focusing on broad categories, consider smaller niches. For example, instead of just selling t-shirts, you could offer eco-friendly designs for coffee lovers.

How to make sure your product will sell on Amazon?

Before listing your Print on Demand (POD) products on Amazon, it’s important to ensure they’ll sell. Here’s how:

1. Check the Best Sellers Rank (BSR): Each Amazon product has a BSR, which shows how well it’s selling. The lower the BSR, the better it’s performing. A lower rank means higher sales potential.

(Image Source: Amazon Best Sellers Rank)

2. Estimate Sales Potential: Use tools like Jungle Scout’s Sales Estimator to predict how many units a product might sell monthly based on its BSR.
3. Calculate Daily Sales: Divide the monthly sales estimate by 30 to figure out how many units a product sells daily, helping you gauge its selling speed.

Potential Niches for Your Amazon POD Business:

• T-shirts and apparel (funny slogans, niche-specific designs, seasonal themes)
• Home decor and accessories (throw pillows, wall art, shower curtains)
• Stationery and office supplies (notebooks, mouse pads, desk organizers)

By identifying a specific niche and ensuring there’s demand for it, you can set your Amazon POD business up for success. This step helps you reduce competition and create a focused marketing strategy that suits with your target audience.

Step 2: Choose a Print on Demand Provider

(Image Source: Fourthwall)

The Print On Demand (POD) supplier you choose plays a big role in the success of your business. They make it super easy to sell custom-printed products on Amazon. You don’t have to deal with stocking inventory, packing orders, or handling shipping—the supplier takes care of everything for you. 

Take your time to research and compare different suppliers to ensure they can support your specific niche. Later in this article, we’ll highlight the top POD providers that meet our evaluation standards. For now, here are key things to look for in a good POD supplier:

• User-Friendly Editing Tools: Most of your product photos will come from the supplier's editing software. Choose one with a high-quality and easy-to-use editor to create appealing visuals.
• Top-Quality Prints: Your supplier must provide excellent prints with premium materials. To confirm this, check reviews from other sellers and order samples to evaluate the quality yourself.
• Quick Order Fulfillment: Fast shipping is essential for happy customers. Compare the delivery times of your shortlisted suppliers and pick one that balances speed and quality.

Once you’ve found a trustworthy POD supplier, you can move on to the exciting steps of building your business!

Step 3: Design Your Print on Demand Products

(Image Source: EComposer’s Template)

Once you've chosen your niche, products, and Print on Demand (POD) provider, the next step is creating designs that catch customers' attention. Unique and eye-catching designs can help your products stand out in a competitive marketplace. Here's how to design effectively for POD:

Think about who your ideal customers are—their interests, preferences, and what they might like to buy. Research trends in your niche to ensure your designs appeal to potential buyers.

• Mockup Generators: Preview how your designs will look on products.
• Graphics Libraries: Access free images and graphics to enhance your designs.
• AI Image Generators: Create unique graphics using prompts for inspiration or starting points.

3. Create High-Quality Graphics: Use tools like Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or free options like GIMP to make high-resolution designs (300 DPI or higher) for sharp prints. Always follow the POD provider’s size guidelines for each product.

4. Stay Original and On-Brand: Develop a consistent style with specific colors, fonts, or themes that reflect your brand. Original designs not only make your brand memorable but also help avoid copyright issues.

5. Test Your Designs: Order samples from your POD provider to check the print quality, colors, and overall product appearance. Use this feedback to make improvements if needed.

Your designs represent your brand, so it’s essential to prioritize quality and visuals. Once your designs are ready, it’s time to set up your Amazon store and start selling POD!

Step 4: Create an Amazon Seller Account

To start your own t-shirt business on Amazon, the first step is to set up a storefront by creating an Amazon seller account. Here’s a simple guide to get started:

1. Sign Up: Visit Amazon’s Seller website and click Sign Up. Follow the prompts to create your account.

2. Verify Your Email: Enter the verification code sent to your email to proceed with the setup process.

3. Gather Required Information: You’ll need the following to complete your account:

• Bank account details (account and routing number)
• Credit card information
• A valid government-issued ID
• Tax details
• Phone number

4. Add Business and Personal Details

• Choose your business location and type (or select “Individual” if you’re a sole seller).
• Provide contact details, including ID proof and residential address.
• Verify your phone number.

5. Billing and Payment Information: Add your bank account and credit card details. Make sure to review the Monthly Subscription Fee section before proceeding.

6. Store and Product Details: Answer questions about your new store and products, then move on to the verification step.

7. Verify Your Identity: Upload images of your ID and a bank statement. Complete a video call with an Amazon representative or schedule an appointment to confirm your details.

8. Choose a Selling Plan: pick a selling plan that fits your business needs:

(Image Source: Amazon selling plan) 

• Individual Plan: Costs $0.99 for every item sold. This plan is ideal for small businesses selling fewer than 40 items per month or those just starting out.
• Professional Plan: Costs $39.99 per month. This option is better for businesses selling over 40 items a month and needing features like product advertising and advanced tools.

Many sellers choose the Amazon Professional seller account because it offers more features to help grow and manage their business. However, if you plan to sell fewer than 40 items a month, the Individual plan might be a better fit.

Each plan comes with its own tools and benefits, so take the time to compare them and see which suits your needs. Keep in mind that Amazon also charges referral fees, which differ depending on the product category.

*Note: There’s one exception—you can sell without paying for a plan through Amazon Merch on Demand, which we’ll cover later.

Once your account is verified, consider enabling two-step verification for added security. You’re now ready to move on to the next step of launching your Amazon business!

Step 5: Set Up Your Amazon Storefront

1. Pick a Store Name

The next step is to choose a name for your store. Pick a name that’s simple, easy to remember, and reflects your brand and products. Keep in mind these guidelines for your shop name:

• Must be 4 to 20 characters long
• Cannot include spaces or special characters (like ! or #)
• Should avoid profanity and names already in use by other Etsy sellers
• Must not infringe on any trademarks

Amazon will automatically check if your chosen name is available. If it’s taken, they’ll suggest alternatives.

These are the basic steps to get started on Amazon. The next steps will focus on fully setting up your business.

2. List your Products on Amazon

As an Amazon seller, adding new products is something you'll do often, and it's an easy process. Here's how to create a new listing or sell under an existing one:

Step 1: Navigate the “Catalog” tab and click on “Add Products.”

Step 2: To add a brand new product, select “I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon.”

Step 3: Moving on with the next page, fill in your product's name, and Amazon will suggest a product type.

Step 4: Amazon may offer to generate your listing using its AI tool, but it's better to use tools like Jungle Scout's Listing Builder with AI Assist, as it helps you use the right keywords from your research.

Step 5: After entering your product name, if the suggested product type is correct, click "Next." If not, keep adjusting the item name with more keywords until you find the right category.

Step 6: Once you choose the correct category, fill in the product details like the title, brand name, UPC code, images, and search terms.

Step 7: If your product doesn’t have a UPC or ID, you can apply for a GTIN exemption.

If you're reselling a product that’s already listed on Amazon (through retail arbitrage or wholesale), follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to “Add a Product” and enter the ASIN (found on the product’s listing page).

Step 2: If it's the right product, click “Sell this product.”

Step 3: Then, you can set your price and choose your fulfillment method (FBA or FBM).

3. Optimize your Amazon Product Listings 

An Amazon Storefront is available to sellers registered with Amazon’s Brand Registry. It acts as a personalized website within Amazon, complete with a unique URL, to showcase your products and build your brand.

Each product listing includes these main parts:

Title

• Keep it between 80–200 characters.
• Start with your brand name and include a main keyword describing the product.
• Add secondary keywords to highlight features like size, color, or quantity.

Bullet Points

• Highlight the product’s key features using up to five bullet points.
• Each bullet can be up to 200 characters, with a total of 1,000 characters allowed.

Product Description

• Provide detailed descriptions between 1,700–2,000 characters.
• On mobile, only the first 80 characters are visible initially, so make them engaging.

Images

• Use high-quality, clear images that showcase the product’s features.
• A clean white background works best for a professional look.

Things to Avoid:

• Using other trademarked names unless they’re yours.
• Overstated claims like "bestseller."
• Misleading terms like “free shipping” unless it applies to all items.
• False claims about curing diseases or any drug-related items.

With these guidelines, your listings will stand out and comply with Amazon’s rules.

Step 6: Market Your Store

Here’s how you can promote your brand and increase sales for your shirts using key marketing strategies:

Amazon SEO

• Optimize your listings with keywords to improve visibility on Amazon. Use relevant phrases in your titles, descriptions, and bullet points. Include all important details like colors, sizes, images, and clips to help buyers make informed decisions.
• Amazon’s search engine, A9, updates unpredictably, so stay updated to improve your product’s visibility.

Customer Reviews

Focus on keeping customers happy, as most shoppers avoid products rated below 3.3 stars.

• Encourage reviews by offering great service and answering questions.
• Respond to customer inquiries, send thank-you emails, and politely ask for feedback.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a powerful way to increase traffic and brand awareness.

• Partner with influencers, bloggers, and YouTubers to promote your products.
• Affiliates earn a small commission for every click or sale they drive. Amazon’s free affiliate program makes this process easier.

Social Media Marketing

Leverage social media to share updates, new products, sales, and blog posts.

• Post regularly to keep followers engaged with fun, educational, and informative content.
• Share links between your Amazon page and social media profiles for cross-promotion.
• Consider using paid ads or boosting high-performing posts to reach more people.

Amazon Advertising

In addition to social media and Google ads, use Amazon’s paid advertising to promote your listings directly in search results and reach more potential buyers.

Alternative Method: Using Amazon Merch on Demand 

1. What is Amazon Merch on Demand?

Launched in 2015, Amazon Merch on Demand (formerly Merch by Amazon) is a simple print-on-demand (POD) platform that lets you sell products featuring your custom designs. The best part? You don’t have to deal with inventory or shipping.

Here’s how it works:

• You create the design, and Amazon takes care of everything else—from production to delivery.
• Your job? Earning royalties every time someone buys your product.

Unlike other platforms, Amazon only produces and ships your item after a customer places an order. This means you don’t need to buy stock upfront, saving you from extra costs. All you need to focus on is creating designs and marketing them—Amazon handles the rest. 

About Merch on Demand Requirements:

• Amazon Merch on Demand requires an application, considering your background, goals, and designs.
• You need an active Amazon seller account and must follow their content policy with original, high-quality designs.
• Only upload designs you own; copyrighted or trademarked material is prohibited.
• Sellers must complete Amazon’s tax interview.
• New sellers start with limited uploads, unlocking more slots through sales and performance.

2. The Pros & Cons of Amazon Merch on Demand

Here are some of the pros and cons that you should take into consideration carefully before making a decision:

Amazon Merch on Demand is a great opportunity, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing the pros and cons can help you decide if it’s the right platform for you.

3. How to Sell POD with Amazon Merch on Demand?

To start selling Print on Demand products with your unique design on Amazon, you need to upload your artwork. The process is simple:

Step 1: Go to the "Create" page from the dashboard.

Step 2: Hover over the menu and select the type of product you want to upload.

Step 3: Opt for the products you want to customize.

Step 4: Mock up your design and see how it looks on the product before publishing.

Step 5: Once your design is ready, you’ll need to set a price for your product:

• Go to the Enter list price section at the bottom right of the product page.
• Input the price next to the site where you want to sell.
• The platform will automatically calculate your royalty earnings—adjust the price to match your target profit.

Step 6: Include key details like the product title, brand, and description to make it easier for customers to find your item.

When everything is complete, scroll down and click Save and publish. Amazon will then handle production, shipping, and customer service, leaving you to focus on designing and selling.

*Keep in mind, Amazon has certain standards for artwork:

• 300 ppi/dpi
• sRGB color profile
• Transparent PNG format
• File size should be under 25MB

*Recommended design sizes are:

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Top Print on Demand Suppliers to Choose from

Amazon Merch has its own advantages, but many other print-on-demand (POD) platforms offer comparable or even more advanced features.

Your choice depends on your priorities:

• Choose Amazon for its massive audience and hassle-free fulfillment.
• Consider other POD platforms if you value more creative control, a wider range of products, or higher profit margins.

Here’s a quick list of popular POD platforms you might want to check out.

1. Printful

Printful provides tools to help you design and sell products on multiple platforms while managing all the order fulfillment for you. Its Design Maker is easy to use, even if you don’t have any design skills, making it simple to create attractive products.

It also offers white-label services, allowing you to add your branding to product labels and packaging. Printful stands out for its reliable and high-quality fulfillment process.

Pros:

• Delivers excellent printing quality.
• Offers plenty of branding and customization options.
• You only pay for items you sell—no upfront costs.
• No minimum order requirements.

Cons:

• Costs can quickly add up.
• Fewer product categories compared to some other competitors.

Best For: Beginners who want to focus on making profits without worrying about the logistics.

2. Printfy

Printify is a popular print-on-demand (POD) platform that makes selling creative products simple. It offers over 300 high-quality items, including t-shirts, mugs, caps, and smartphone accessories.

It’s a great option if you want fast shipping, excellent customer support, and affordable prices. Printify lets you customize products and sell them on platforms like Etsy, WooCommerce, and Shopify.

One standout feature is Printify’s global network of fulfillment partners, which allows you to grow your business quickly and ship worldwide. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly options in the industry.

Pros:

• Wide range of products
• Fast fulfillment (2-7 business days)

Cons:

• Limited branding options (only neck labels)
• Fewer integration options

Best For:
Printify is ideal for those seeking a cost-effective alternative to Amazon Merch on demand, with low prices, a wide product range, and global shipping capabilities.

3. Teelaunch

Teelaunch is a solid alternative to Amazon Merch on Demand for starting a print-on-demand business. You can customize a lot of products, including t-shirts, wall art, drinkware, home goods, and accessories.

Orders typically arrive within 3-6 days in the US, UK, and Canada. Teelaunch print on demand provides detailed shipping costs and fees, so you know exactly what to expect.

Their personalization tool makes it simple to design and prep your products for printing. You can also create high-quality mockups to visualize your designs on actual items.

Pros:

• Wide range of personalized product options with quick shipping.
• High-quality mockups for easy product promotion.

Cons:

• Limited customer support.

Best for:
Teelaunch is ideal for sellers in the US, UK, and Canada who want fast shipping and professional-looking mockups to establish a strong brand.

4. Gooten

Gooten makes it easy to sell your custom designs without worrying about complicated pricing. With a fixed pricing system, you can save time by skipping the hassle of setting markups.

You can print on various products, including t-shirts, mugs, coasters, and calendars. There’s even an option to add extra print placements, like on shirt sleeves or the back.

Gooten POD works seamlessly with Shopify, letting you create and send products for printing with just a few clicks. Its large network of partners ensures timely delivery, and the products are always high quality.

Pros:

• Wide variety of unique printing options.
• Fixed pricing helps predict profits easily.

Cons:

• Marketing is entirely up to you.
• Some products can be pricey.

Best for:
Gooten is ideal for those looking to integrate a print-on-demand service into their existing store. It provides a range of high-quality products, and the fixed pricing makes profit planning simpler.

5. CustomCat

CustomCat is a top choice for high-quality custom designs. It offers multiple printing options, including direct-to-garment, sublimation, 3D dyes, and embroidery. With a catalog of over 550 products, it’s a great way to stand out from competitors and attract diverse customers.

CustomCat Print on demand ships worldwide, but international deliveries can take up to 15 days, while local shipping is usually within 7 days.

Pros:

• Huge selection of products and printing styles.
• Premium plan offers great discounts.

Cons:

• Shipping costs can be high for some areas.
• Delivery times can be slow.

Best for:
CustomCat is ideal for businesses wanting to stand out with a lot of customizable products. With so many product options and printing methods, it’s easy to create unique designs.

3 Tips for Success in Selling POD on Amazon

1. Promote Your Designs

Creating and uploading designs is just the first step. To reach more customers, focus on marketing:

• Leverage social media: Post your designs on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, using hashtags to boost visibility.
• Build a website: Showcase your designs on your own website to strengthen your brand and make it easier for customers to shop.
• Email marketing: Begin with an email list to keep in touch with customers and share new designs.
• Use Amazon Ads: Take advantage of Amazon’s advertising programs to increase product exposure.

2. Know Your Product’s Print Area

Each product on Amazon Merch has specific print areas. Designing with these in mind ensures your artwork looks great:

• V-Neck T-Shirts: Keep the design 1.5" below the V on the collar.
• Raglan Shirts: Start designs 2.5" below the crewneck.
• Zip Hoodies: Avoid fine details across the zipper to prevent distortion during printing.

3. Optimize Your Designs

Follow these best practices to improve your products:

You should:

• Ensure designs match the product’s placement, color, and size.
• Double-check for typos in artwork and descriptions.
• Adhere to Amazon’s content policies for each marketplace.

You shouldn’t:

• Use misleading terms like “glow-in-the-dark” if it’s not true.
• Include irrelevant details in descriptions, like shipping promises.
• Create designs tied to sensitive topics like disasters or accidents.

Just remember all these tips, you can improve your Amazon POD business and attract more customers.

Closing Thoughts

In short, Amazon is a great platform for entrepreneurs and designers to build a successful Print on Demand business with their enormous creativity. Just make sure to keep up with Amazon’s content rules and create high-quality designs that your customers will love.

While Amazon Merch is one of the top POD platforms, the competition is tough. You should also consider expanding your business to other selling channels alongside Amazon in order to boost your sales.

FAQs

1. What print on demand products can I sell on Amazon?

You can sell a wide variety of POD products on Amazon, including:

• Apparel: T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, hats, etc.
• Home Decor: Wall art, phone cases, mugs, pillows, etc.
• Accessories: Tote bags, stickers, notebooks, etc.

The key to success is to identify niche markets and create designs appealing to target audiences.

2. Does Amazon Merch on demand cost money?

No, Amazon Merch on Demand itself is free to use. However, you'll need to pay for the cost of production for each item sold, including printing, materials, and shipping.

3. How to create a print-on-demand product on Amazon?

To create a POD product on Amazon, you'll typically need to follow these steps:

• Sign up for an Amazon seller account.
• Pick a print-on-demand service or Amazon Merch on Demand.
• Design and list your products.
• Promote your listings to start making sales.

4. Is selling Print on demand products on Amazon profitable?

Yes, it can be profitable. Because Amazon has a huge number of shoppers and moreover, they even handle things like production and shipping for you. You should also focus on creating great designs, setting fair prices, and promoting your products well in order to make good profits.

5. Which platforms do Amazon connect with?

Amazon partners with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce through special tools.  With these eCommerce platforms, you can increase your brand’s visibility and reach more customers through the connecting.