Merch on Demand is Amazon’s print-on-demand program for people who want to sell their own designs on Amazon products. You provide the artwork, choose the products and colors, and Amazon handles the product page, printing, shipping, and customer service.
The biggest advantage is that you do not need to buy stock before making a sale. Amazon produces the product only after a customer orders it, so you do not have to store shirts, manage packing, or deal with shipping yourself.
The process starts with an application for a Merch on Demand account. After Amazon approves your account, you can upload designs and create product listings. Amazon reviews the designs before they become available for customers to buy.
You earn a royalty each time someone buys a product featuring your design. Your royalty is based on the product’s offer price after applicable taxes and Amazon’s costs.
The amount you earn per sale depends on the product type and price. Amazon does not publish one simple royalty rate that applies to every Merch on Demand product, so I would not use a fixed dollar figure as the expected pay.
Your main job is creating designs that people want to buy. You also need to follow Amazon’s content and trademark rules. Designs that violate Amazon’s policies can be rejected, and repeated violations can put your account at risk.
You can promote your products through your own website, blog, social media, or other channels. Amazon handles the order once someone buys, including production, shipping, and customer service.
Merch on Demand can be attractive for beginners because there is no upfront inventory cost. The harder part is getting sales. You may upload many designs without earning much until you find designs and niches that customers actually want.
It is also worth noting that Amazon does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The application and approval process means you need to be accepted before you can start uploading designs.
Pay
Royalties from each product sold. The amount varies by product type, offer price, taxes, and Amazon's costs.
How You Make Money
You apply for a Merch on Demand account, upload your original designs, choose available products and colors, and set your prices after approval. Amazon creates the product listing, prints the item after a customer orders, ships it, and pays you a royalty from eligible sales.
Payment Method
Direct deposit or Bank transfer
Minimum Payment
Must meet Amazon's minimum payment threshold (varies by country)
Withdrawal Speed
Payments issued monthly, around 30 days after the end of a sales month.
Pros
• No upfront inventory cost
• Amazon handles printing and shipping
• Amazon handles customer service
• You can sell designs without holding stock
• Products can reach Amazon customers
• You can promote your designs through your own channels
• Free to apply
Cons
• Account approval is required
• There is no guaranteed income
• Finding designs that sell can take time
• Amazon's content rules limit what you can upload
• Competition can be high
• Royalty amounts vary by product and price
Best For
Designers, artists, and beginners interested in selling original designs without buying or storing inventory.
