If you’re dreaming of selling online but don’t have the space to store inventory or the budget to produce goods upfront, there’s a business model that could work perfectly: print on demand.
With print on demand (POD), you partner with a third-party supplier who handles everything after a customer places an order — including production, packaging, and shipping. You just focus on creating the designs and publishing them to your Amazon listings.
But how do you get started selling print-on-demand products on the world’s biggest online marketplace?
This guide breaks everything down — from choosing your supplier to getting your first sale — so you can launch your Amazon POD business confidently and strategically.
1. Understand How Print on Demand Works on Amazon
There are two main ways to sell print-on-demand products on Amazon:
| POD Option | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Merch on Demand | You upload designs directly to Amazon. Amazon handles printing, shipping, and customer service. You earn a royalty per sale. | Beginners who want a low-risk entry point. |
| Amazon Seller Central + POD Supplier (e.g., Printful, Printify) | You create a seller account, then connect to a third-party POD supplier who fulfills orders as they come in. | Sellers who want more control, branding, and profit margin. |
Let’s quickly break these down further.
Amazon Merch on Demand
Amazon Merch is a closed platform — you need to apply and get approved. Once you’re in, you upload your design, choose a product (like a t-shirt or hoodie), and list it on Amazon. Amazon handles everything else.
Pros:
- No upfront cost
- Instant Prime eligibility
- Amazon handles returns and customer service
Cons:
- Application can take weeks (or longer)
- Limited product range
- You earn a royalty (usually between $1.50–$5 per shirt)
Additional insight: Merch by Amazon is great for testing design ideas quickly, especially if you’re unsure what will sell.
Because you don’t have to manage customer service or inventory, it’s a low-maintenance option for creatives, artists, and even meme pages trying to monetize.
However, getting accepted into the program can be competitive, and there’s a tier system that limits how many products you can upload until you prove yourself with consistent sales.
Pro tip: If you’re aiming for volume over branding, Merch can be a smart way to generate passive income — especially during seasonal periods like Christmas or Halloween.
Focus on quick-turnaround trends and searchable phrases with low competition to get momentum early.
Seller Central + Third-Party POD
This method gives you full control. You create a professional Amazon Seller Central account (which costs $39.99/month), and connect it with a POD supplier like Printful or Printify.
When someone buys your item, the supplier prints and ships it automatically.
Pros:
- Full control over pricing and branding
- Broader product selection
- Higher potential profit margins
Cons:
- You pay the monthly seller fee
- You’re responsible for listing optimization and customer support
Additional insight: This route is ideal for sellers looking to build a brand over time. You can customize packaging, run ads, and collect customer data (in some cases) depending on how you connect your store.
It also opens the door to upsells, bundles, and even creating your own website that mirrors your Amazon store.
Pro tip: If you’re planning on scaling or turning this into a long-term business, Seller Central is the better option.
Just be prepared to invest a bit more upfront — not just in the monthly fee, but in understanding how to optimize Amazon SEO, manage returns, and comply with Amazon’s strict seller policies.
2. Research What to Sell (And Who You’re Selling To)
Before uploading anything to Amazon, it’s important to understand who you’re selling to, what they’re buying, and how you can stand out.
Here are the three areas to focus on:
1. Identify Your Audience
Ask yourself:
- What themes or trends is your audience interested in?
- Do they like humorous quotes, minimal aesthetics, or pop culture references?
- Are they parents, pet owners, hobbyists, or gamers?
Use tools like:
- Google Trends
- Amazon’s search bar (auto-suggestions)
- Merch Informer
- TikTok and Instagram hashtags
Additional insight: Successful sellers don’t try to please everyone — they serve a very specific audience with a strong connection to the designs or message on the product.
Think of your designs like inside jokes or shared beliefs. The more specific, the better your chance of generating interest and conversions.
Pro tip: Start with a group you’re part of or understand well. For example, if you’re a nurse, you probably know what kind of quotes or jokes nurses love.
That insight will help you create highly relevant products that actually resonate.
2. Define Your Niche
Choosing a niche makes it easier to market and differentiate your products. Broad niches tend to be oversaturated, so get specific. For example:
| Broad Category | Narrow Niche Idea |
|---|---|
| Pets | Funny cat mugs for introverts |
| Fitness | Gym tanks for new moms |
| Education | T-shirts for special ed teachers |
Pro Tip: Look at what your competitors are missing. Can you offer better designs, faster shipping, or more customization?
Additional insight: Niche selection is the foundation of any sustainable POD business.
The tighter your niche, the more likely you’ll be able to grow organically through keyword targeting and word-of-mouth. Narrow niches also mean less competition and higher conversion rates.
Pro tip: Use Amazon’s autocomplete function to find micro-niche ideas. Start typing “funny nurse…” or “vegan gym…” and you’ll see real-time keyword suggestions that customers are actively searching for.
3. Analyze Competitor Pricing
Before setting your prices, review what’s already on Amazon:
- Search for your product idea and check top listings
- Note pricing, product reviews, and shipping options
- Identify gaps you could fill (e.g., design quality, niche focus, value bundles)
Use this data to build a pricing strategy that’s competitive and profitable.
Additional insight: Avoid the trap of pricing too low. While it might seem like a good way to gain traction, it can cheapen your brand and make profitability a challenge.
Aim to position your product with a value-first approach — highlight quality, speed, or design uniqueness to justify your pricing.
Pro tip: Use tools like Keepa or Helium 10 to track how prices fluctuate over time in your niche. This is especially useful during seasonal surges when demand increases and prices can rise.
3. Choose the Right Print-on-Demand Supplier
Now that you’ve identified your niche, it’s time to pick a print-on-demand partner. The supplier you choose affects everything from product quality to profit margins and delivery times.
| Supplier | Amazon Integration | Product Range | Avg. Production Time | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printful | Native Amazon integration | Over 300 products | 2–5 days | Branding options, global warehousing |
| Printify | Via Shopify or manual sync | 800+ products | Varies by partner | Huge catalog, multiple vendors per product |
| Gelato | Native Amazon integration | 100+ products | 2–4 days | Local printing in 30+ countries |
| Gooten | Manual setup required | 150+ products | 3–5 days | Volume discounts for scale |
What to Look For
When comparing suppliers, focus on:
- Amazon compatibility: Some tools require manual setup or third-party apps
- Print quality and sample options: Order samples before going live
- Shipping options and global reach
- Customization options: Can you add your own branding or packaging?
Tip: If you want to offer personalization (e.g., customer names or photos), check whether your POD partner supports it. Printify and Gelato, for example, both offer personalization support on Amazon.
Additional insight: Print quality can make or break your reviews. A great design printed on a poor-quality shirt will earn you 1-star ratings fast.
Always test samples, check the print durability, and assess shipping speed before publishing any listings. It’s worth the small upfront investment.
Pro tip: Don’t just choose the supplier with the biggest catalog. Prioritize one that integrates easily with Amazon and delivers consistently.
If you’re planning to expand globally, Gelato’s local fulfilment model could give you faster delivery and better reviews internationally.
4. Set Up Your Amazon Seller Account
To start selling POD through a supplier (not Amazon Merch), you’ll need a Professional Seller Central account.
Here’s what you’ll need to register:
- Legal business name or individual name
- Credit card for billing
- Bank account for deposits
- Tax information (SSN or EIN)
Once your account is live, you can connect it with your chosen POD platform. Here’s how it works for each:
| Supplier | Amazon Setup Steps |
|---|---|
| Printful | Go to Integrations → Amazon → Follow step-by-step guide inside dashboard |
| Printify | Requires connecting through a Shopify or WooCommerce store first, then pushing listings manually |
| Gelato | Use their direct Amazon integration and approve GTIN exemption if needed |
| Others | May require manual order forwarding or API workarounds |
Don’t forget to request a GTIN exemption in Seller Central if you don’t have UPCs for your POD products. Most POD platforms help automate this.
Additional insight: Getting verified on Amazon can be intimidating for first-timers. Be prepared for identity verification checks, and don’t be surprised if Amazon asks for documents like bank statements or utility bills during the setup phase. Respond quickly to speed up approval.
Pro tip: Once your account is live, take time to explore Amazon’s backend tools. Learn how to monitor orders, track returns, and communicate with buyers.
Setting up automated responses and alerts will make your life easier once sales start rolling in.
5. Create and Upload Your First Products
This is where it gets fun: designing and listing your products. But it’s also where many new sellers go wrong — they upload a great design but skip the SEO, pricing, or product details.
Product Creation Tips
- Keep designs high-resolution (at least 300 DPI)
- Use transparent backgrounds for apparel
- Design with mockups in mind — it needs to look good on-screen
Most suppliers let you create products directly inside their dashboard. You’ll choose your product, upload your design, and generate previews.
Listing Optimization (Amazon SEO)
Amazon is a search engine. Your listings need to be optimized so shoppers can actually find them.
| Section | Best Practices |
|---|---|
| Title | Include your main keyword early. Be descriptive but clear. |
| Bullets | Use all 5. Highlight use case, materials, gifting ideas, fit, etc. |
| Description | Reinforce key selling points. Mention how it’s printed, shipping, personalization. |
| Backend Search Terms | Include synonyms and variations (e.g., “coffee cup”, “funny mug”, “gift for coworker”) |
Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or Merch Informer to research top-ranking terms in your niche.
Additional insight: Don’t rely on mockups alone. Upload multiple product images — lifestyle shots, close-ups, and even customer-submitted photos if possible.
Amazon shoppers want to see what they’re buying. A strong visual presentation helps convert more browsers into buyers.
Pro tip: Always preview your listing from a mobile device. Over 60% of Amazon traffic comes from mobile. Make sure your titles don’t get cut off, and that the design is clearly visible in the thumbnail.
6. Set Competitive Pricing (Without Killing Your Margins)
When pricing your POD product, consider:
| Factor | Example (T-Shirt) |
|---|---|
| Product cost (Printful) | $13.95 |
| Shipping (US) | $3.99 |
| Amazon referral fee (15%) | $3.45 (based on $23 price) |
| Total cost | $21.39 |
| Profit if selling at $23.99 | $2.60 per sale |
Want more margin? Raise your price or choose products with a better profit-to-cost ratio (like mugs or posters).
General POD Pricing Ranges on Amazon
| Product Type | Average Retail Price | Avg. Cost | Typical Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Shirts | $19.99–$25.99 | $13–$17 | $2–$7 |
| Mugs | $14.99–$19.99 | $8–$10 | $3–$6 |
| Hoodies | $29.99–$39.99 | $21–$27 | $4–$8 |
| Posters | $15.99–$25.99 | $7–$11 | $4–$9 |
Additional insight: Keep in mind that pricing isn’t just about the numbers — it’s about perceived value. A t-shirt priced at $21.99 might seem more premium than one at $16.99, even if the material is identical.
When you’re selling POD on Amazon, shoppers can’t feel or touch your product — so your pricing, images, and descriptions work together to communicate value.
Don’t be afraid to price higher if you’re confident in your design and your listing looks professional.
Pro tip: Consider offering multiple variations of your product at different price points. For example, a standard unisex t-shirt could start at $22.99, while a premium tri-blend version with better fit and fabric could be priced at $28.99.
This strategy appeals to different customer segments while maximizing revenue per listing.
7. Promote and Scale Your Listings
Once you’re live, your first few sales will take effort. Use a combination of free and paid strategies.
Free Traffic Strategies
- Keyword-rich listings: Focus on long-tail, less competitive terms
- Product reviews: Ask friends or early customers to leave honest reviews
- Social media: Share links on Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Pinterest
Paid Promotion Options
- Amazon Sponsored Products: Bid on keywords and push new listings
- Influencer shoutouts: Partner with small creators in your niche
- Google Shopping Ads: If your products are also on Shopify
As you scale, test new designs weekly. Double down on what sells and remove slow movers.
Additional insight: One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is assuming Amazon will automatically drive traffic. While Amazon does have a massive user base, its algorithm prioritizes listings that convert well.
That means early reviews, consistent sales, and ad engagement are crucial to climbing the rankings. If your listings aren’t getting traction after a few weeks, it might be time to refresh your title, keywords, or product images.
Pro tip: Once you’ve identified best-sellers, build variations around them. For example, if a mug with a dog-themed quote is selling well, create spinoffs for specific dog breeds, holidays, or colors.
You’re not reinventing the wheel — just giving shoppers more reasons to buy from you. Over time, these micro-niches can stack into a high-performing product portfolio.
Final Thoughts
Selling print on demand on Amazon can be a profitable and scalable business — if you start with the right systems in place.
Whether you go with Merch by Amazon or build your own Seller Central + POD integration, success comes down to your ability to research, optimize, and adapt.
Use this guide as your roadmap, test your way forward, and remember that it’s a long game.
