How to Sell Stuff on Amazon with Merch on Demand

Selling stuff online sounds easy, right? Create a design, upload it, and watch the orders roll in. At least, that’s what I thought when I started exploring merch on demand. The reality? It’s a lot more complicated than it seems. If you’re curious about my journey, grab a coffee (or tea), and let me walk you through the ups, downs, and lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Printful Meets Amazon: A Rocky Start

Let me start with my attempt to connect Printful to Amazon. I thought this would be the easiest way to get my designs out there, but oh, was I wrong! First, I had to apply for a GTIN exemption (basically, permission to sell products without barcodes). I got the approval – yay! – but my excitement didn’t last long.

Even though I resolved the technical setup with Printful, my t-shirts stubbornly refused to show up on Amazon.ca or Amazon.fr. Why? I still don’t know. I spent hours researching, troubleshooting, and even venting to my cats (they didn’t have any answers either).

After 11 frustrating days, I decided to stop wasting time on international marketplaces for now. I’m focusing on the U.S. marketplace, where things seem to be working… so far.

No Paid Marketing… Yet

Right now, I’ve listed four products on Amazon, and I’m testing the waters without paid marketing. I know what you’re thinking – nothing works without paid ads these days. And you’re probably right. But for now, I want to see if my designs can gain traction organically.

Unfortunately, I’ve had a similar struggle with my own shop, catprints.bsilvia.shop. Despite investing in marketing, I was only getting about two visits per day. Two! That’s less than the number of times my cat Tito attempts to open a closed door in a single morning. Frustrated, I decided to pause the shop for now and focus on Amazon merch instead.

Application to Amazon Merch on Demand

After hearing so many success stories about Amazon Merch on Demand, I decided to apply. The application process was straightforward, and I thought I’d done a decent job filling it out. Then I made a rookie mistake – I forgot to mention that I already have stores on Teepublic, Redbubble, Society6, FourthWall and even Amazon!

Why does this matter? Well, I later learned that including links to your existing stores can make a big difference in getting approved. Amazon wants to see that you’re serious and experienced, and I definitely missed an opportunity to showcase my work.

Now, I’m crossing my fingers and hoping the reviewers will explore my website and find the links I provided. Their average review time is about 14 days, so all I can do is wait and hope for the best.

What I’m Doing While I Wait

I’m not one to sit still, so while I wait for Amazon’s decision, I’m staying busy. Here’s what I’ve been up to:

• Adding new designs to my Teepublic store.
• Updating my FourthWall shop to keep it fresh and exciting.
• Researching what’s trending in the merch world so I can create designs that people actually want to buy.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that waiting doesn’t have to mean wasting time. There’s always something productive to do.

Lessons Learned from the Journey

1. Be Patient: Whether it’s troubleshooting with Printful or waiting for Amazon approval, nothing happens overnight.
2. Showcase Your Experience: If you’re applying to Amazon Merch on Demand, highlight your existing work. It makes a huge difference.
3. Focus on What Works: When one platform doesn’t perform, don’t be afraid to shift your energy to something else.
4. Keep Learning: Tutorials, forums, and other creators’ experiences are goldmines of useful information.

Is Merch on Demand Worth It?

Despite the challenges, I absolutely think merch on demand is worth it. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it’s an exciting way to turn your creativity into something tangible (and hopefully profitable).

My journey is still unfolding, and I’m learning as I go. If you’re considering trying merch on demand, my advice is simple: start small, stay persistent, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. After all, every step forward brings you closer to success.