Amazon Merch on Demand continues to be one of the most popular Print on Demand (POD) platforms globally, enabling creators and entrepreneurs to sell custom-designed apparel without much inventory costs.
Despite its world reputation, Amazon Merch on Demand India is still a big question mark for all the Indian sellers or entrepreneurs who want to use this feature for their eCommerce business. Yet those sellers in India are interested in selling through Amazon merch with the help of alternative methods.
This blog aims to answer the top questions from Indian sellers about Amazon Merch on Demand, about the application steps, resources, alternatives, and other things to know before starting your merch by Amazon store from India.
Key Takeaways:
- Amazon Merch On Demand is a platform that handles design, printing, shipping, and customer service, but it is not officially available in India for local merchants.
- It is a low-investment Print on Demand business model, where creators can earn royalties per sale.
- Merch by Amazon works on a tier-based system that controls how many designs can be uploaded and sold.
- The platform suits creators who want a global audience, but those targeting Indian customers can use alternatives according to the regional market.
What is Amazon Merch on Demand?
Amazon Merch on Demand is a premium version of Print on Demand (POD) services that allows creators to sell custom-designed products on the Amazon platform without investing much in inventory and production.
Merch by Amazon lets creators sell custom designs on a range of apparel and accessory products. Some of them are,
And more products can be customised and sold. Amazon handles the operation processes, production, packaging, shipping, and up to customer service. Sellers only focus on designing and marketing their products, earning royalties on each sale.
How Does Merch by Amazon Work?
The Merch on Demand users upload their designs to the platform, where it takes care of operations, fulfilment and returns management. Let’s break down how Merch Amazon works for a seller:
1. Merch by Amazon Approval:
Submit your new application for Merch by Amazon and wait for its approval. It can take a few weeks to months, depending on various factors, including your submitted information and location. Amazon Merch invitations are limited, and no one gets easy access.
2. Upload Your Designs:
After your application is approved, you will get access to the Amazon Merch dashboard, where you can upload your artwork and create product listings. At the initial stages, the sellers will be allowed to upload 10 designs, which will expand later.
3. Tier System:
Amazon Merch uses a tier system to regulate how many unique designs a seller can upload and sell at any given time. Sellers start at the lowest tier with a limited number of design slots, and as they achieve sales milestones while maintaining account compliance, they “tier up,” granting access to upload more designs.
For example, sellers at the beginning of tier 1 will be limited to 10 designs and moving forward with excellent sales and perfect compliance maintenance, they can reach tier 8, which allows them to upload 8000 designs.
4. Product and Pricing:
As listed above, sellers can choose from the various product categories available in Merch Amazon, like T-shirts, tank tops, pillow covers, notebooks and more. Amazon automatically lists your products. Ensure you set a competitive price for your product, with a proper product description and title, along with SEO-rich keywords.
5. Amazon Fulfilment:
When a customer places an order, Amazon processes it by printing the design on the desired product, packing and delivering it directly to the customer. For eligible Amazon Prime users, they provide quick delivery. Amazon also takes care of the customer service, which lets us focus more on designing and marketing.
6. Merch by Amazon Royalties:
Sellers earn a royalty for each sale, generally ranging from 12% to 37% of the product’s sale price after Amazon deducts taxes and fees. Royalties depend on product category, price, and shipping cost.
Amazon Merch On Demand offers a scalable, low-risk business model for creators worldwide. The platform’s tier-based system, Amazon Fulfilment, and royalty payments create an optimised ecosystem for passive income through creative designs.
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Is Merch by Amazon Available in India?
The answer is ‘No’. Amazon Merch On Demand is currently not officially available for sellers based in India. The platform does not support direct registration or merchant accounts using Amazon Merch India for selling custom-printed merchandise. This means Indian sellers cannot list their designs directly for sale on Amazon India through the Merch by Amazon platform.
However, Indian creators and entrepreneurs interested in Merch by Amazon India can still access the platform by registering with a US-based bank account, typically using payment gateways like PayPal or Payoneer.
This way, Indian sellers can list their products with Merch Amazon India and sell in the US and other countries where the platform operates. Most importantly, they must meet Amazon’s requirements for bank details, tax information, and other verification steps in accordance with the US market.
Why is Amazon Merch on Demand Not Available in India?
Merch by Amazon India is not available due to several reasons, primarily related to Amazon’s business strategy and logistics. Based on industry observations, here are some of the major limitations faced by Indian sellers for their Merch on Demand in India:
- Market Availability: Merch by Amazon initially focused on the US and selective European markets, where on-demand and infrastructure are well established. They have not expanded this vertical globally, including India, yet.
- Fulfilment Complexity: Merch On Demand involves seamless integration of production, packaging, shipping, and customer support. Establishing these facilities and service networks for India requires significant investment and demand justification.
- Higher Returns: Apparel in India sees higher return rates due to size, fit, and quality expectations. Since the Merch model incurs returns & customer support costs, it becomes risky for Amazon without a controlled system in place.
- Taxation Factors: The platform requires sellers to provide valid local bank accounts and tax IDs, and to comply with country-specific regulations. The Indian eCommerce market, with a higher price and taxation ecosystem, including GST complexities, makes integrating Merch On Demand challenging.
- Amazon Merch Invitation: Amazon’s merch program is an invite-only access platform and applies only to quality and seller reliability to protect the brand experience globally. This controlled compliance means some regions receive limited access.
- Larger Existing Markets: The US, UK, and European marketplaces generate the majority of Merch sales. Amazon may be prioritising expansion in other regions with higher average selling prices before India.
How to Apply for Merch by Amazon from India?
Even though Merch by Amazon is not officially launched in India, Indian creators can still apply and sell in international marketplaces. Applying for Amazon Merch on Demand as an Indian seller involves several key steps, especially considering the regional restrictions and requirements.
Step 1: Merch by Amazon Sign Up
Go to the official Amazon Merch On Demand page. Make sure you have all your credentials and documents properly for verification for a first-time registration.
Step 2: Request an Amazon Merch Invitation
On the homepage, you’ll see a prominent button, usually labelled “Request an Invitation” or “Sign Up.” Click on this to begin your application process.
Step 3: Sign In with Your Amazon Account
You’ll be prompted to sign in using your existing Amazon account credentials. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create a standard Amazon customer account first. This links your potential Merch account to your Amazon identity.
Step 4: Fill Out the Application Form
- Enter your legal name, contact details, and business type. Specify India as your country.
- Provide bank details. As previously said, Amazon accepts only US-based bank accounts for royalty payments, so using payment platforms like Payoneer or PayPal linked to US banks is essential for Indian sellers.
- Submit your tax information. Indian sellers must comply with US tax documentation as part of Amazon’s requirements.
- Also, fill out the additional information about your expertise in designs, niches, and your knowledge of marketing your products and intellectual properties.
Step 5: Review and Submit Your Application
Double-check all information submitted, especially bank details and tax information. You can also add your portfolio to the additional info sheet. Submit your application and patiently wait for approval. This process can take anywhere from a few days to weeks to months.
Make sure to turn on your email notifications and wait for any updates to be responsive immediately. While waiting, you can get to know Amazon’s content policies, design guidelines, and resources to maximise your chance of acceptance.
Step 6: Updates on Your Approval
There may be any emails in between the period of waiting, requesting additional documents, so make sure to check your inbox or spam folder every day. Eventually, you will receive an email from Amazon informing you of their decision.
If approved, you’ll gain access to the seller dashboard. This is where you’ll upload your designs, set your product categories, write product descriptions, and set your pricing. If rejected, the main reason will contain some generic reasons or sometimes nothing.
This application procedure is essential for Indian sellers aiming to enter the Amazon Merch by Demand marketplace despite the regional restrictions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying Merch by Amazon
Indian sellers are facing rejections because of regional restrictions and strict Amazon policies. To help increase your chances of approval, here are the most common mistakes to avoid:
- Avoid filling in inaccurate details. Fill in the correct details up to the additional information column. Be prepared with the documents and other bank information in advance.
- Uploading designs without proper rights or awareness of trademark laws risks Amazon’s immediate rejection or account termination. Be sure to verify your artwork’s originality and avoid copyright infringement.
- Also, do not upload any low-quality images or AI-generated images. Use only professional, high-quality pictures of your own creation.
- Incomplete or fake-looking profiles reduce trust. Use a professional email, update your portfolio links, and make them active and organised.
- Irrelevant keywords or those with poor descriptions violate Amazon’s guidelines. Use precise, relevant keywords naturally in your product titles and descriptions.
- Violating Amazon’s content or business policies can prevent scaling or cause account suspension. Stay updated on policy changes and strictly adhere to them.
By avoiding these common mistakes, Indian sellers can significantly increase their chances of approval into Amazon Merch On Demand and build a promising print on demand business on the Amazon platform.
How Much can You Earn using Amazon Merch on demand?
Earnings on Amazon Merch On Demand differ for every seller, mainly based on design quality, niche selection, consistency, and pricing. The more products you sell and the higher you price your designs with respect to the market competition, the more you can earn.
How Merch by Amazon Royalties Work?
Amazon Merch On Demand pays creators a royalty for every sale. This royalty is what you earn after Amazon deducts its fees for production, fulfilment, platform charges, and customer service.
- Royalty changes based on product type and selling price.
- Royalty = Your price – Amazon’s cost (material, production, fulfilment) – Applicable taxes
- The higher you set the product price, the higher the royalty per sale you receive.
Monthly Earning Potential for Indian Sellers
To understand how royalties translate into income, here’s a simple example based on typical Amazon Merch earnings:
- Selling price of a typical T-shirt on Amazon Merch On Demand: $16.99 (₹1,450)
- Approximate royalty earned per sale: $4.20 (₹360)
- If you sell 100 T-shirts in a month, it is $420, approximately ₹36,000/month
If your designs perform well across many product categories, such as hoodies, sweatshirts, and multiple niches, earnings can multiply.
What makes Amazon Merch a Potential Business Opportunity?
The monthly earning potential of a beginner in Merch by Amazon can range from $72 to $300 (₹6,000 to ₹25,000). With just one good month, sellers can advance to a potential earning of nearly ₹50,000 per month. By defining perfect niches and scaled growth, this business can potentially earn more than ₹1 lakh.
The advantage of no inventory, free printing, and shipping makes Merch by Amazon a worthy platform. Sellers can also upload their designs for free, with the limitations of the Tier list, controlled by the Amazon tier system.
What are Amazon Merch on Demand Tiers?
Amazon uses a tier system to control how many designs each seller can upload. You can move to a higher tier only after achieving sales and maintaining policy compliance. The tier for design limit is listed as,
- Tier 1 – 10 designs (the initial stage)
- Tier 2 – 25 designs
- Tier 3 – 100 designs
- Tier 4 – 500 designs
- Tier 5 – 1000 designs
- Tier 6 – 2000 designs
- Tier 7 – 4000 designs
- Tier 8 – 8000 designs (highest listed officially)
Tier 1, with 10 designs also said to be Tier 10, followed by Tier 25 and so on. There are tiers with more than 8000 designs, which are not officially listed on the Amazon Merch platform. The more you grow, your tire will grow along with your sales and earnings.
Is Merch by Amazon a Passive Income?
Yes. For creative individuals, Amazon Merch On Demand can become a strong passive income idea and income stream over time. However, it’s not a quick income-generating model, but a scalable one that rewards creativity and smart design planning.
Amazon merch on demand is a slow digital asset, rather than a fast-paced income. With consistency and hard work, it is a better earning opportunity for every creator or entrepreneur.
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What are the Pros and Cons of Merch by Amazon?
Pros of Amazon Merch On Demand:
- Amazon manages production, packaging, shipping, and customer service, allowing sellers to focus purely on design and marketing, which reduces operational complexity.
- Even a few consistent sales can become meaningful income due to currency conversion benefits.
- The tier system, which unlocks more design slots based on sales, motivates sellers to focus on quality designs and customer feedback.
- Sellers gain access to Amazon’s international customer base, enabling their designs to reach a worldwide audience.
- With consistent effort and effective marketing, Indian sellers can build a scalable passive income stream from their creative products.
Cons of Amazon Merch On Demand:
- With many established global sellers, selling a product is challenging.
- Amazon enforces strict content guidelines and copyright checks, which can restrict creative freedom and lead to account suspensions if violated.
- Approval is not easy for everyone because of the invitation option.
- Indian sellers have to navigate international banking and tax compliance for receiving royalties through US bank accounts.
Is Merch by Amazon the Best Platform to Sell POD T-shirts?
Amazon Merch on Demand is one of the most preferred platforms for custom printed t-shirts, because of the advantages such as global reach, being the most trusted worldwide, along with the fulfilment services provided.
How to Design T shirts for Amazon Merch?
It is very important to know how to design a T-shirt for selling on Merch by Amazon. You don’t need to be a professional designer to start, but your designs must be clean, original, and niche-focused to get approved and sell well. When designing t-shirts for Amazon Merch, keep these key points in mind:
- Design Specifications: Create your artwork as a high-resolution PNG file at 300 dpi with a transparent background. The recommended printable area is 15 inches wide by 18 inches high (4500×5400 pixels).
- File Size: Keep the file size below 25MB.
- Colour and Format: Use the sRGB (Standard RGB) colour profile to ensure quality colour printing.
- Design Style: Use bold, clear graphics or typography that stand out on various t-shirt colours.
- Compliance: Follow Amazon’s content policies and avoid copyright infringement.
- Design Tools: Use T-shirt designing software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Canva, or free AI tools available to create your own designs.
Is Amazon Merch on Demand just for T-shirts or can You use it for Printed Wall Art too?
Currently, Amazon Merch On Demand does not support selling wall art, posters, framed prints, or canvas artwork. Amazon Merch On Demand primarily focuses on apparel and some accessory products.
Using marketplaces like Etsy to sell your wall art online or your own website with a print on demand partner like Qikink would be more suitable.
What Other Products can You Sell on Merch by Amazon?
As previously listed, besides t-shirts, sellers on Amazon Merch on Demand can offer different product categories like hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, tote bags, phone cases, pop sockets, mugs, stickers, and hats.
While product variety is growing, the focus remains heavily on wearable merch, so understanding trending products and niches within those categories is key to success.
What are the Terms & Conditions of Selling on Amazon Merch?
Before starting on Merch by Amazon, it’s important to understand the basic rules and compliance requirements. Selling on Amazon Merch requires compliance with its terms, legal regulations, and tax obligations. Here is a concise overview:
- Designs must be original or appropriately licensed and must stick to their specifications; copyright infringement may lead to bans.
- Prohibited content includes obscene, profanity, political, hate speech, racism, violence, and other inappropriate material.
- Keywords and listing titles must be genuine and not misleading.
- Only one account per seller is allowed.
- Indian sellers should be registered under GST if their income exceeds thresholds.
- Royalty earnings received internationally must be declared and taxed as per Indian laws.
As previously stated, Amazon takes copyright infringement seriously, and violating its regulations can lead to the loss of your platform access immediately. Following the terms and conditions of Amazon will help you stay legal in this business.
Merch by Amazon Alternatives
While Amazon Merch on Demand is a good platform, it isn’t always the perfect fit for everyone, especially for Indian sellers. Fortunately, several Indian-friendly alternatives are offering flexible access, regional support, and an easy-to-use platform. Some top alternative options to Amazon merch on demand India you can consider:
1. Your Own Online Store
Instead of relying on a challenging platform like Amazon Merch on Demand, consider beginning your own online store and start selling your products online. This gives you the benefits such as:
- Full ownership of your brand and customers.
- Freedom to experiment with unlimited designs and products.
- Higher profit margins with no commission charges like marketplace platforms.
- No fear of account suspension or tier restrictions.
This path is going to be tough at the initial stages, but with the maximum freedom and control of your business, you can scale and grow it as a streamlined income source.
2. Social Media for Business
Nowadays, social media has become a medium for selling merch on their pages. Using social media for business has given the creators, influencers, entrepreneurs, artists and every person with a business page their own brand identity along with a steady income.
You already have a set of audience when you start your business, you can earn and promote your brand with this type of business. By staying with community-driven niches and being relatable to your content, your audience will expand, and your conversion rate will be higher.
3. Why Qikink is a Top Choice for Indian Sellers?
If you want to sell apparel and merch products online without holding stock, Qikink is one of the most reliable and scalable ways to build your own on-demand brand in India. Because,
- Qikink operates directly in India, allowing sellers to integrate with local payment gateways easily, comply with Indian GST and legal requirements, and avoid international banking complexities.
- Beyond apparel, Qikink supports accessories, home decor, and more, helping to test diverse product categories and identify perfect niches.
- Unlike Amazon Merch’s invite-only model, Qikink’s sign-up process is open, quick, and beginner-friendly, helping sellers launch their store today.
- Qikink also handles printing, packaging, and shipping within India, and also international shipping, ensuring faster deliveries and lower shipping costs to Indian customers.
- The platform provides tools for promotions, discounts and cashbacks, and assists sellers in building their brand effectively.
Choosing the right print on demand platform is critical to your business success. While Amazon Merch offers global exposure, Qikink provides an optimised and accessible solution tailored for the Indian market, letting you focus on creativity and growth without any hurdles.
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Final Thoughts
Amazon Merch On Demand is undoubtedly a powerful platform for creative entrepreneurs who want to sell merch globally without worrying about inventory, production, or shipping. For Indian sellers, the process may involve extra steps, approvals, and compliance challenges, but the opportunity still exists for those willing to learn, adapt, and stay consistent.
The key to success in print on demand lies in choosing the right platform aligned to your target market and operational preferences. Amazon Merch requires patience and international setup for Indian sellers. Meanwhile, Qikink empowers Indian entrepreneurs to design and sell merch online and scale confidently with fulfilment in India.
Whether you start with Merch by Amazon for global reach or build your on-demand brand in India with Qikink, the key is to focus on quality designs, niche selection, and consistency. With the right strategy, your creativity can turn into a sustainable income stream and a brand that people love.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Amazon merch on demand works?
The procedure is straightforward. Amazon Merch operates in the following manner:
- Create your artwork or design.
- Upload your design to Merch by Amazon and choose the products for which you want to print your design.
- Set the price and press the ‘publish’ button to make it public.
- Amazon prints, delivers and manages the items’ inventory as they sell.
- After the sale, get your royalties.
Is Merch by Amazon profitable?
Yes. Merch by Amazon can be profitable, especially for creators with strong design skills, niche research, and consistency in uploading designs. It may take time to build traction, but many sellers earn passive income once their designs start ranking and generating repeat sales.
Is Amazon Merch available in India?
No, Merch by Amazon is not officially available for Indian sellers yet. Indians cannot directly register using Indian bank details or tax information. However, Indian creators can still apply using a US-based bank account and required tax documentation.
What countries is Amazon Merch available in?
Merch by Amazon is currently supported mainly in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and a few additional Amazon marketplaces. Availability may expand over time, but access remains restricted and invite-only.
What products are sold on Amazon Merch?
The platform offers custom print-on-demand apparel and accessories, including t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, tote bags, phone cases, pop-sockets, mugs, and a few more wearable or merch-focused items. Product options vary by region.
How to promote your Amazon store merch?
To improve visibility and boost sales, you can:
- Optimise listings with keywords and niche-focused titles
- Promote designs on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, X, or Pinterest
- Leverage trends, seasonal events, and micro-niches
- Use Amazon advertising (if eligible) to drive traffic
Does Amazon provide customer support for Amazon Merch on-demand sellers and customers?
Yes. Amazon handles customer support for all Merch on Demand orders, including returns and delivery-related issues. Sellers do not interact directly with customers, which helps maintain Amazon’s service standards.
What features and functions are available to Merch by Amazon sellers?
Features include a tiered upload system, royalty tracking, automated production and fulfilment, Prime eligibility, and access to Amazon’s large customer base and analytics tools.
