Do you have creative ideas for hoodies and T-shirts, but lack the funds for a warehouse or inventory? Feeling stuck when you know your designs have the potential to be successful is frustrating.
Imagine being able to sell your artwork without having to pay anything up front. Amazon Merch on Demand enables it. You may upload your designs for free, which is a real game-changer. All of the heavy work, including printing, shipping, and customer support, is done by Amazon. On each sale, you just receive a royalty.
Now is the perfect time to start a print-on-demand (POD) business. This is a rapidly expanding market. By 2034, according to a Precedence Research forecast, the market is expected to be worth around USD 103 billion. All the information you need to make and sell merch is explained in detail in our guide. It includes your compensation, the things you can produce, and the acceptance process.
What is Amazon Merch on Demand?
Amazon Merch on Demand (MOD) is a special program run by Amazon. It enables you to sell branded goods, like T-shirts, with no risk or upfront expense. This is a straightforward "print-on-demand" concept. All you do is provide art. Amazon is responsible for printing, shipping and customer service.
The complete procedure is as follows:
• You Upload Your Art: First, make a design and upload it to your Merch by Demand dashboard. It may be a humorous slogan or an interesting drawing.
• You Pick Products: Select the products you wish to use with this design. A phone case, a sweatshirt, and a T-shirt can all have the same artwork.
• You Set Your Price: You determine the final sale price for each item.
• Amazon Creates a Page: Amazon automatically builds a real product page for your item right on Amazon.
• A Customer Buys It: When a customer orders your shirt, Amazon's team prints your design on it.
• Amazon Ships It: They pack the item and ship it directly to the customer (it's often eligible for Prime shipping).
• You Get Paid: Finally, you earn a royalty (a cash payment) for every item sold.
As you can see, you never have to buy boxes of inventory, manage a website, or talk to customers. You only need to do the fun part: creating great designs.
Is Amazon Merch on Demand Legit?
Amazon Merch on Demand is a legitimate service. This is an official program created and managed entirely by Amazon. When you sell a product, it is listed on Amazon just like any other item.
Because Amazon handles the sale and shipping, your products are usually eligible for Prime shipping. This instils great trust in your products. You are using Amazon's world-class printing and shipping system. This is a real business opportunity, not a third-party scam.
Amazon Merch on Demand Review: Is It Worth Your Time?
Now for the big question: Is this program the right choice for you? Like any business, it has good parts and bad parts. Here is our honest Amazon Merch on Demand Review for 2025.
Is Amazon Merch on Demand Worth It?
For most creators, artists, and beginners, the answer is yes. Is Amazon Merch on Demand Worth It? We think so. It is one of the easiest and safest ways to start earning passive income.
Here is a look at the good and the bad.
The Pros:
• Zero Financial Risk: It costs nothing to start. You can't lose money on inventory that doesn't sell.
• Huge Audience: Your items are on Amazon, a huge marketplace. Millions of people can see your designs.
• No Logistics: You don't handle printing, packing, or shipping. Amazon does all the work, including returns.
• Passive Income: A design can sell for years after it is uploaded. Money can be made while you sleep.
The Cons:
• Tough Competition: The program is free, so it's crowded. You need unique designs to stand out.
• Low Profit Margins: Amazon does most of the work, thereby retaining a significant portion of the profits. You only earn a few dollars per shirt.
• Limited Control: You can't control final print quality. You also cannot use custom boxes to build your brand.
• Tier System: You start in a low "tier" with few design spots. You must sell items to unlock more spots.
Amazon Merch on Demand Quality
In general, the Amazon Merch on Demand Quality is very good. Amazon uses modern "Direct-to-Garment" (DTG) printers. These are not cheap, iron-on transfers. The ink is printed right into the fabric, so it feels soft and lasts a long time.
The final print quality is up to you. You must upload a high-quality 300 DPI PNG file. A blurry image will create a blurry print. Always buy a sample first. This allows you to review the print, colours, and design placement before promoting the item to customers.
How Does Amazon Merch on Demand Work? (The 2025 Process)
This program differs slightly from other Amazon services. You cannot simply sign up and start selling immediately. First, you have to be invited. Here is the step-by-step process for getting started in 2025.
How to Sign Up for Amazon Merch on Demand
The program is invite-only, which means you must first ask for an invitation.
• Go to the official Amazon Merch on Demand website.
• Click the "Request invitation" button.
• You will need to sign in with your regular Amazon customer account.
• Then, you will fill out the Amazon Merch on Demand application.
How to Apply for Amazon Merch on Demand
This application is the most important step. Amazon reviews every application by hand. They want to know why they should let you join their platform.
The form will ask for:
• Your contact information and bank details (so they can make a payment to you).
• Your business or brand name.
• An "Additional Information" or "Motivation" letter.
This letter is your big chance to get in. You must tell them who you are and what you plan to do.
How to Get Approved for Amazon Merch on Demand
Getting approved is not guaranteed, and many people are rejected. Here is how to get accepted to Amazon Merch on Demand:
• Be Professional: Use clear writing with correct grammar. This demonstrates to Amazon that you are a serious partner.
• Prove You Are a Designer: Share a link to your art portfolio on a site like Behance or Instagram.
• Explain Your Plan: Be specific about your design ideas and the target audience you will sell to. Don't just say "for money."
• Show You Read the Rules: Mention that you have read and will follow the content policy. This builds trust.
After you apply, be patient. A few days to several months may pass before clearance is granted.
What are Amazon Merch on Demand Royalty Rates 2025?
Amazon does not pay a flat percentage. Your royalty is the money left over after Amazon subtracts its costs.
The formula is: Your Royalty = List Price - (Amazon's Costs + Taxes).
Amazon's costs include the product, printing, and shipping. You set the List Price, so you control your profit.
Let's look at the Amazon Merch on Demand Royalty Rates 2025 for a standard T-shirt in the U.S. market:
• Amazon's total cost is about USD 15.26.
• If you set your List Price at USD 19.99...
• Your Royalty = USD 19.99 - USD 15.26 = USD 4.73 per sale
• If you set your List Price at USD 22.99...
• Your Royalty = USD 22.99 - USD 15.26 = USD 7.73 per sale
You see your exact royalty on the dashboard. This helps you strike a balance between offering a good price to customers and generating a good profit for yourself.
What is Amazon Merch on Demand Content Policy?
This is the most important rule you must follow. If you violate the Amazon Merch on Demand content policy, your account will be terminated.
Amazon is very strict. You cannot use:
• Copyrighted Material: No Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, or sports teams. You also cannot use song lyrics or movie quotes.
• Trademarked Phrases: This trips up new sellers. Don't use trademarked phrases, even common ones like "I Love NY."
• "Me-Too" Designs: You cannot copy another seller's design, even if you try to draw it yourself.
• Other Banned Content: This includes hate speech, profanity on children's items, or misleading designs (such as "Glows in the Dark").
Before you use any phrase, search for it in the U.S. Trademark Database (TESS). It is free and will save your account.
What is the Amazon Merch on Demand Fee?
This might be the best part. There is no Amazon Merch on Demand fee to use the service.
• There is no monthly subscription fee.
• There is no listing fee.
• There is no fee to upload designs.
• There are no shipping fees.
You will never get a bill from Amazon. You can only make money. Amazon makes its money by taking out its costs from the sale price before it pays you your royalty.
The Official Amazon Merch on Demand Products List (2025)
The Amazon Merch on Demand products list is always growing. As of 2025, you can design your own merch and sell it on these items:
Apparel:
• Standard T-Shirts
• Premium T-Shirts
• V-Neck T-Shirts
• Tank Tops
• Long Sleeve T-Shirts
• Pullover Hoodies
• Zip Hoodies
• Sweatshirts
Accessories & Home Goods:
• PopSockets Grips
• Phone Cases (for iPhone and Samsung models)
• Tote Bags
• Throw Pillows
You can decide to sell a design on all of these goods at once when you upload it. This gives your customers more choices and provides you with more opportunities to make a sale.
How to Create Designs That Actually Sell
The market is very crowded. You cannot just upload a simple design and expect to make sales. You need to know what customers actually want to buy. Trying to guess what will sell is a waste of time.
The best way to find good ideas is "Voice of the Customer" (VoC) research. This simply means identifying what people are searching for.
• You can do this by reading product reviews in the niche you want to enter.
• You can also use AI tools to find new trends and analyse customer reviews.
• This data shows you what customers love, hate, and wish for in existing products.
• It helps you find popular phrases and new design ideas before your competitors do.
Using VOC Insight helps you stop guessing and start designing based on real demand. This is how you create merchandise that people are already searching for. As your merch store grows, you may want to explore other models, such as FBA. You can learn more in our guide on Amazon FBA for beginners.
Conclusion
Starting with Amazon Merch on Demand is one of the best ways to enter e-commerce in 2025. There is no financial risk, no inventory to manage, and you get to sell on the world's biggest marketplace.
Success doesn't happen overnight. It takes creativity, following the content rules, and patience as you "tier up." However, if you are willing to learn and create great art, you can build a genuine passive income. It's time to stop dreaming and start designing your own merch. Request your Amazon Merch on Demand invitation today!
FAQs
Q1: Is Amazon Merch on Demand profitable?
Yes, but it requires time. Your tier level and sales determine your profit. Tier 10 new vendors may make between USD 20 and USD 50 a month. From USD 500 to more than USD 10,000 a month, top-tier sellers who handle it like a legitimate business can do much more.
Q2: How much does it cost to start Amazon Merch on Demand?
It has no cost. This service comes with no monthly fees, listing fees, or setup costs. Inventory is never a cost to you. By subtracting its expenses from the stated price, Amazon generates revenue only after a sale has been made. There is absolutely no financial risk involved.
Q3: Does everyone get accepted to Merch by Amazon?
No. Many applications are turned down because it's an invite-only platform. Provide a link to an online portfolio of your artwork (such as Behance) to increase your chances of being selected. Additionally, ensure that you have read and will abide by the content restrictions, and properly describe your design niche.
Q4: Can I start selling on Amazon with USD 100?
You don't even need USD 100 to use Amazon Merch on Demand. But USD 100 is insufficient for other models, such as Amazon FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon). Purchasing inventory, purchasing a seller plan (USD 39.99/month), and advertising are all necessary for FBA. The majority of specialists recommend a starting budget of USD 1,500 to USD 3,000.
