How to sell shirts on Amazon: A 2024 guide

Welcome to 2024, where the 'e' in ecommerce is more significant than ever before! You're here because you're looking to tap into the lucrative business of selling shirts on Amazon, and we've got your back!

Ready to kick-start your journey to becoming a successful Amazon shirt seller? Let's get started!

• Start by registering on Amazon's Seller Central, filling in your business name, address, contact, and tax information, then proceed to list your shirts, choosing between individual or professional plans based on your sales volume expectations.

• Individual plans suit sellers with fewer than 40 items per month without a monthly fee but incur a $0.99 charge per item sold, whereas professional plans are ideal for higher volumes, offering additional benefits like advanced selling tools for a $39.99 monthly fee.

• Consider Amazon's Merch on Demand for a hassle-free print on demand service or Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) if you prefer Amazon to handle storage and shipping; alternatively, Gelato offers a seamless integration for on-demand shirt printing, reducing inventory risks.

• Design compelling shirts by researching trends, understanding your audience, and utilizing design tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to create eye-catching, high-resolution designs that resonate with your target market.

• Enhance your Amazon listings with quality product photos and detailed descriptions that tell a story about your brand, optimize for SEO to improve visibility, and set competitive prices while managing royalties effectively.

• Increase sales by leveraging Amazon advertising, engaging with your audience on social media, partnering with influencers to widen your reach, and utilizing platforms like Gelato for quality shirt production and global shipping to streamline your business operations.

Here's how you can venture into selling shirts on Amazon: 

1. Visit Amazon’s Seller Central and click on 'Sign Up'.

2. Log in using your existing Amazon customer credentials or create a new account. You’ll be taken to the screen below:

3. Ensure you have the following items ready:

   • A valid government-issued ID or passport.

   • A recent bank account or credit card statement.

   • A chargeable credit or debit card.

   • A mobile phone.

4. Select your business location (country) and click on ‘Begin’. Over the next few screens, you will be prompted to fill in the required personal and business information. This includes your name, address, phone number, and company details, if applicable.

5. You will then be prompted to upload copies of the required documents:

   • A clear photo or scan of your government-issued ID or passport.

   • Your recent bank account or credit card statement.

6. After submitting your information and documents, wait for Amazon to review your application. You may be contacted to arrange a meeting with an Amazon Associate. This is a part of the verification process to ensure the authenticity of the information provided. During the verification meeting, be prepared to answer questions about your business and the products you plan to sell.

7. Once your information is verified, Amazon will finalize the approval of your seller account. You will receive a notification, typically via email, confirming the activation of your account.

8. With your account now active, you can start listing products on Amazon. Familiarize yourself with the Seller Central dashboard to manage your listings, view your sales, and access various seller resources.

9. Enter your payment details. Amazon transfers your earnings biweekly, so a bank account that accepts electronic transfers is necessary.

Individual vs. professional plan

The Individual Plan works best for those selling fewer than 40 items per month. This plan doesn't have a monthly subscription fee - instead, Amazon charges $0.99 per item sold, plus other selling fees.

On the other hand, the Professional Plan is suited for those selling more than 40 items per month. It comes with a $39.99 monthly subscription fee, but there's no per-item fee. 

Differences between individual and professional plans

What sets these plans apart primarily is their pricing structures and the volume of sales. But the differences don't end there! As a professional seller, you can sell products in more than 20 categories, offer special promotions and gift services for your items, customize shipping rates, and gain access to advanced selling tools like bulk listing and reporting tools. 

Which plan is best for you?

Choosing between individual and professional plans depends on your selling strategy and goals. If you're venturing into Amazon selling as a side hustle or hobby, starting with an individual plan might be an economical way of testing the waters.

However, if you're confident about your product and ambitious about your sales right from the get-go, then the professional plan could be worth the investment. As your sales increase, the fixed monthly fee could turn out to be more cost-effective than the per-item fee of the individual plan.

Selecting the right fulfillment method for your t-shirt business on Amazon can make or break your success. It’s the process that gets your creative designs into the hands of customers. But how do you choose the best one? We delve into this matter below.

Amazon's fulfillment options: Merch on Demand and FBA

Amazon offers two core fulfillment options that you, as a seller, can leverage.

1. Amazon Merch is a print on demand service perfect for t-shirt creators. You just supply the design, and Amazon takes care of production, shipping, and customer service.

2. Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) involves sending your shirts to Amazon's warehouses, and they handle storage and fulfillment. 

Each has unique benefits, so choose what suits your business model.

Integrating Gelato for on-demand shirt printing

Stepping up your shirt-selling game means exploring smart business integrations like Gelato's on-demand shirt printing service.

With Gelato, your Amazon store gets equipped with access to high-quality, sustainable print products— anytime, anywhere. This offering is perfect for those who want to reduce operational headaches, lower inventory costs, and tap into the global market at a faster pace.

Adopting Gelato's automated services enables seamless processing of orders, from printing to delivery, leaving you more time to focus on designs and marketing.

Creativity should be at the heart of designing t-shirts for online sales. This step isn't just about art—it's a strategic process that contributes to your brand identity and customer appeal. 

Here's a practical guide on how to design compelling merchandise that resonates with your target market.

1. Find inspiration for your t-shirt niche

Starting your t-shirt business requires the selection of a unique and viable niche. Here are some pointers to get the wheels turning: 

• Discover trends: Keep your eyes on social media, popular culture, and current events. These are excellent avenues for inspiration.

• Understand your audience: Do comprehensive research on your target demographic. Think about what moves, motivates, and interests them.

• Check out the competition: Have a look at successful t-shirt vendors on Amazon. While you shouldn't copy, you can certainly learn from their strategy and find gaps in the market.

• Stay authentic: If you're passionate about something, chances are others are too. Focusing on what you love can often lead to unique and sellable designs.

2. Implement design ideas and trends

Implementing your t-shirt design ideas involves a mix of creativity and trend awareness. To create designs that resonate with your target customer:

• Research current fashion trends: It involves analyzing market movements, popular culture influences, and fashion forecasts to predict what designs will resonate with your audience.

• Consider seasonal elements and upcoming holidays: Tap into the consumer's mindset and align your designs with their current interests and needs, such as festive themes or seasonal colors, to boost engagement and sales.

• Look at your competition: Sizing up your competitors provides valuable insights into market preferences and successful strategies within your niche, helping you identify trends and gaps you can exploit.

• Keep designs simple and the message clear: This ensures that your designs communicate effectively with your audience. Minimalistic designs with a strong, clear message tend to attract more attention and convey the brand's identity more efficiently.

• Experiment with colors and fonts: This allows for creativity and brand differentiation. However, it's crucial to ensure that all design elements harmonize to create a visually appealing and cohesive design that speaks to your brand's aesthetic and values.

3. Utilize design tools and resources

You don't have to be a professional graphic designer to create fabulous shirt designs. Various online tools and resources can help you create a wow factor. Here's a handful of the best: 

• Gelato’s Design Editor: Allows you to create professional-looking custom designs from a large product catalog. 

• Canva: Offers a user-friendly platform with a variety of templates.

• Adobe Illustrator: Ideal for intricate designs and allows layering of elements.

• Adobe Spark: Allows customization with different fonts, images, and colors.

Experiment with these tools until you find the one that suits your style and skill level.

4. Follow t-shirt design best practices

When it comes to designing t-shirts that attract customers, adhering to best practices is key. Here are some tips to guide you: 

• Keep it simple: Overcomplicated designs might be overwhelming. Stick to minimalistic designs that emphasize the message you want to convey.

• Use high-resolution graphics: Nobody wants a blurry t-shirt. Make sure you're using high-res images and illustrations for printing quality.

• Consider your market: Your design should resonate with your audience. Consider demographic factors like age, interests, and culture when creating your designs.

• Color matters: Color psychology plays an important role. The colors you choose can evoke certain emotions, so choose wisely.

This crucial step has far-reaching effects on your visibility and sales. Equip yourself with the skills to create stand-out listings in the crowded Amazon marketplace.

1. Create high-quality product photos

A picture paints a thousand words, especially on Amazon. High-quality product photos are thus the crux of your online t-shirt business as they invite potential customers to the gallery of your product. Utilize professional photography or employ photo editing tools to enhance the look and appeal of your shirts, showcasing their designs, colors, and fabric clearly. 

Your product photos should not only be captivating but also give an accurate depiction of your t-shirts. 

2. Write detailed product descriptions

Your product descriptions are crucial for conveying the value of your shirts to potential buyers. Not only should information regarding the materials, fitting, and wash care be included, but you should also weave a story that enhances your brand. 

Understanding your target audience and their interests is key. Use this knowledge to craft creative and descriptive narratives that sell not only your shirt but the lifestyle it represents.

3. Optimize listings for Amazon SEO

Optimizing your Amazon listings for SEO is crucial to ensure visibility. Use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and backend search terms. A well-optimized listing not only includes popular search terms but also relates directly to your product. 

Understand your customer's search behavior. Utilize tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout for keyword research, ensuring you're capturing demand and driving potential buyers to your shirts.

4. Set competitive pricing and manage royalties

Setting your shirt prices competitively is crucial, as it directly impacts your product's attractiveness and your margins. Research the marketplace, understand the cost structures, and analyze your competitors' pricing. 

On Amazon, managing royalties is also important to maximizing profits. When your shirts sell, Amazon deducts a cost-per-product charge. Understanding how these charges affect your royalties allows you to set prices that benefit you financially.

Expanding your t-shirt business on Amazon isn't just about listings and designs—it has a lot to do with savvy marketing. Let's delve into how advertising, social media, and influencer collaborations can turbocharge your sales and make your brand a big hit.

1. Enhance discoverability with Amazon advertising

Amazon advertising is a potent tool to enhance the visibility of your t-shirts. Invest in Sponsored Products or Sponsored Brand campaigns that target the right keywords and customer segments. 

Not only does it improve discoverability, but these ads can dramatically boost your sales by increasing exposure to a wider consumer base on the most popular ecommerce platform.

2. Leverage social media for brand awareness

Embracing social media platforms is an excellent strategy to amplify your brand's exposure. With millions of people scrolling through their feeds, sharing appealing t-shirt designs can attract attention and drive potential customers to your Amazon listings. 

Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are all powerful tools, allowing you to engage with your audience directly and create a sense of community around your brand.

3. Partner with influencers

Teaming up with influencers can greatly amplify your t-shirt brand's visibility. Select those that align with your brand values and have a dedicated following. These influencers can then create organic content featuring your shirts, leading their followers to your Amazon store. 

This approach could transition followers into customers, increase sales, and boost your brand's reputation.

Using Gelato's on-demand shirt printing platform brings a new level of efficiency to your Amazon shirt-selling business. Whether you're an independent artist or a larger ecommerce player, Gelato offers premium quality t-shirts that will appeal to your customers, and the ease of our system simplifies inventory management. 

Plus, our global network ensures fast delivery to buyers all around the world, enhancing customer satisfaction.

To reap these benefits and more, sign up for Gelato today and take your shirt-selling venture on Amazon to the next level.

Is it profitable to sell t-shirts online?

Sure, selling t-shirts online can be highly profitable if executed strategically. The key is to create unique designs that resonate with a specific audience and employ excellent marketing strategies to promote your online store. However, the success of your t-shirt store depends on various factors, including your brand, product quality, pricing, and marketing prowess.

Is selling shirts on Amazon profitable?

Undoubtedly, selling shirts on Amazon can be a profitable endeavor. With millions of daily users, the potential customer base for Amazon sellers is massive. Furthermore, by setting competitive prices and utilizing smart fulfillment methods, your profit margins can significantly increase.

Is it a good idea to sell clothes on Amazon?

The answer is a strong yes. Amazon is a vast marketplace with millions of customers worldwide, offering immense reach for your products. The platform also offers valuable marketing tools and resources, making it easier to not only sell online but also grow your store. However, it's important to understand the guidelines, competition, and tactics to succeed.

How much does it cost to sell t-shirts on Amazon?

Selling t-shirts on Amazon comes with a cost structure that includes a seller plan subscription fee, a referral fee on each item sold, and possible advertising or marketing costs. The pricing varies and depends on your chosen plan and fulfillment method; it can start as low as $0.99 per unit sold under an individual plan or $39.99 monthly for a professional plan. 

How to sell shirts on Amazon without inventory?

It is possible to make money selling t-shirts on Amazon without inventory through the print on demand business model. By adopting this approach, you only produce merchandise when a customer places an order. You can ally with companies like Gelato, which provides this service impeccably. They handle printing and shipping for you, making it an effective, low-risk approach to setting up your own t-shirt business on Amazon.