Amazon's T-Shirt Printing Business: A New Venture?

Amazon does not have its own T-shirt printing business, but it does have a service called Merch by Amazon, which is a print-on-demand service. This service allows users to upload their own T-shirt designs, and Amazon will then print, pack, and ship the product when an order is placed. Amazon also has a partnership with Printful, a print-on-demand company that supplies online store owners with custom clothing.

Amazon Merch on Demand

To get started with Amazon Merch on Demand, users must first complete the Amazon Influencer Program sign-up process and create a Merch on Demand account. They will then need to link their bank account information and finish setting up their profile.

Once the account is set up, users can start designing their products. Amazon Merch on Demand offers a wide range of products to choose from, including t-shirts, hoodies, pop sockets, and totes. Users can upload their designs in PNG format and within 24 hours, their designs will be live and ready for promotion.

One of the key benefits of Amazon Merch on Demand is the ability to create designs with zero inventory. This means that users can bring countless designs to life without the risk of running out of stock or being stuck with excess inventory. It's an excellent way to build a brand and engage with followers.

In addition to creating their own designs, users also have the option to choose from Amazon's existing designs and earn associate commissions. All sales will count towards the Fashion Influencer Program sales goals.

To maximise success on Amazon Merch on Demand, it is recommended to upload new collections often, self-promote, lean into holidays and viral moments, and communicate with Amazon Merch on Demand to drive sales.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

To get started with FBA, you can follow these steps:

• Sign up for a selling plan: You can use FBA with either an Individual or a Professional selling plan. The Professional plan costs $39.99 per month and gives you access to advanced features like Sponsored Brands product listing ads and brand analytics.
• Prep and ship inventory to Amazon: Package and ship your products to Amazon fulfilment centres, following their guidelines for labelling, shipping, and routing.
• Create product listings: Add products to the Amazon catalogue and specify FBA inventory. You can use Amazon's Revenue Calculator to compare estimated costs for FBA and your own fulfilment method.

FBA costs include fulfilment and storage fees, which vary depending on the products you sell and the exact services you use. FBA can be more cost-effective if you sell 40 items or more per month with a Professional plan.

FBA offers several benefits, including:

• Access to Amazon's global network of fulfilment centres, helping you reach customers worldwide.
• Reduced shipping costs, with rates 70% lower per unit than comparable premium options offered by other US fulfilment services.
• Increased sales and repeat purchases due to fast, reliable delivery through Prime.
• More time to focus on product development and customer satisfaction, instead of order processing and fulfilment.

FBA also provides tools to help you manage your inventory, such as the Inventory Performance Dashboard, which displays your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score and offers recommendations to optimise inventory levels and avoid excess inventory.

Additionally, Amazon offers new seller incentives, including credits for shipping, free storage, and fulfilment cost discounts.

Overall, FBA can be a valuable tool for ecommerce businesses looking to streamline their fulfilment process and provide fast, reliable delivery to customers.

Print-on-demand

Here's how it works:

• Register an Amazon seller account: You'll need an Amazon seller account to get started with print-on-demand. You can choose between an individual account (good for selling fewer than 40 t-shirts per month) or a professional account (better for selling more than 40 t-shirts per month and accessing eCommerce tools).
• Connect with a print-on-demand provider: Amazon Merch on Demand is Amazon's own print-on-demand service. You can also use other providers like Printful, which offers custom clothing printing and embroidery.
• Design your t-shirts: Use your niche as inspiration for your t-shirt designs. You can include inside jokes, puns, animal themes, vintage visuals, or holiday-themed designs.
• Prepare your product listings and storefront: Optimise your Amazon product listings with SEO strategies to increase their visibility in search results. Use compelling product photos that are high-quality, compliant with Amazon rules, and showcase your t-shirt design.
• Market your products: Use social media marketing to increase awareness for your t-shirt brand and engage with your customers. You can also use Amazon's promotional tools like Sponsored Products, Sponsored Display, and Sponsored Brands to boost your listings.

Amazon SEO

Amazon is the leading retailer in the United States, with a whopping $143.1 billion in net sales in Q3 2023. The t-shirt market is expected to total $45.5 billion worldwide in 2024, with a projected growth of 2.6% by 2025. This makes selling t-shirts on Amazon a lucrative business opportunity. Here are some tips on Amazon SEO to help boost your t-shirt sales:

• Register an Amazon seller account: You need a customer or Amazon seller account with a business email. To create a seller account, you must reside in an eligible country and provide an international credit card, government-issued identification, and a bank account to receive royalties. You can choose between an individual or professional account, depending on your sales volume and needs.
• Connect with a print-on-demand provider: Amazon Merch on Demand (MBA) is Amazon's print-on-demand service, which allows you to focus on design while they handle logistics. Alternatively, you can use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or a third-party provider like Printify.
• Design your t-shirts: Use graphic design software to create your t-shirt designs, ensuring they meet Amazon's requirements.
• Prepare your product listings and storefront: Optimize your product listings with compelling titles, bullet points, and detailed descriptions. Include relevant keywords and phrases to boost your visibility in Amazon search results.
• Market your products: Use social media, affiliate marketing, and other promotional strategies to increase brand awareness and drive traffic to your Amazon store. Engage with customers, respond to reviews, and provide excellent customer service.

Social media marketing

• Visual Appeal: The visual appeal of your social media content is crucial. Ensure your t-shirts are well-presented, with clean and wrinkle-free designs. Consider arranging a photo shoot with a model or a mannequin to showcase your products in action. Utilise natural lighting or invest in artificial lighting gear to enhance the visuals. Tools like Placeit or Printify's mockup generator can assist in creating appealing visuals.
• Embrace Emotions: Evoke emotions in your social media content by capturing models wearing your t-shirts in dynamic and relatable scenarios. Showcase your t-shirts in various settings, such as a park, a coffee shop, or a working environment, to appeal to a wider range of audiences.
• Social Media Platforms: Select the right social media platforms for your target audience. For instance, Facebook may be ideal for older customers, while Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are popular among younger generations. Consider alternative messaging platforms like WhatsApp if your target market is in Europe or Asia.
• Consistent Content: Consistency is key in social media marketing. Regularly post content to engage your audience, as they access social media at different times. Utilise social media automation tools, such as AI-based copywriting applications and social media calendaring apps, to streamline content creation and ensure a consistent online presence.
• Define Your Goals: Clearly define your goals for the social media marketing campaign. Are you aiming to build a customer database, push inventory, or focus on brand awareness? Tracking your goals and return on investment using small business financial software can help optimise your campaign.
• Target Market: Understand your target market by analysing your past customers, website visitors, and social media followers. Utilise data from your online helpdesk system and chatbots to gain insights into your audience's preferences and behaviours. This data can also inspire new designs that resonate with your target market.
• Choose the Right Printing Technique: The printing technique you choose will impact the quality and cost of your t-shirts. Screen printing is durable and suitable for bulk orders but may be costly for complex designs. Heat transfers are affordable for small batches but require a commercial heat press machine. Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing offers quality similar to screen printing and is ideal for small orders without setup costs.
• Validate Your Designs: Before investing heavily in your t-shirt designs, test their popularity. Reach out to your personal social networks and Reddit communities for honest feedback. Consider crowdfunding sites to validate your designs and collect upfront funding.
• Social Media Advertising: Familiarise yourself with the requirements for social media advertising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Ensure your images have the correct file type, aspect ratio, and limited text to comply with platform guidelines.
• Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with influencers on social media platforms to expand your reach. Identify influencers in your niche who have engaged followings, and partner with them to promote your t-shirts.
• Consistent Branding: Ensure consistency in your messaging and branding across different social media platforms. This will enhance brand recognition and build trust with your target audience.

Frequently asked questions