Many budding entrepreneurs swear by Merch by Amazon when it comes to selling print on demand (POD) items. However, POD is such a versatile business model that can’t be limited to one platform. In fact, statistics predict that the market value of the custom t-shirt printing business worldwide will reach 1.7 billion dollars this year. And if that’s not enough to encourage you to set up shop, stats predict the market value to swell up to 3.1 billion dollars in 2025! Indeed, now is a great time to sell Amazon t-shirts or try other alternative POD sites. 

Why You Should Check Out Alternative POD Platforms

Generally speaking, you can sell custom t-shirts just about anywhere on the web. For instance, you can use a WordPress eCommerce shop or any other online store website to offer merchandise. 

However, putting up your own website for a POD business surely requires more work. For instance, you’ll need to find your suppliers and create your website design, landing page design, and all the works. You’ll also have to process payments and fulfill the orders by yourself.

Because of this, many entrepreneurs choose to sell on POD sites instead. It requires less work on their part and allows them to focus on designs and business strategy. 

But with Amazon t-shirts being a hot commodity nowadays, why would you not go the Merch by Amazon route?

There are several reasons:

• Stiff competition. Selling Amazon shirts means having to compete with hundreds of thousands of other products worldwide. In the same vein, competition is also heavy, even within the niches. 

• The bulk of work goes to SEO. Because of the stiff competition, offering excellent Amazon t-shirts, design options aren’t enough. In fact, most of the work would have to go to search engine optimization (SEO) to attract more buyers to your store.

• Your application wasn’t approved. Because of the platform’s popularity, not all Merch by Amazon applications is approved. If such is the case, you might want to look for other options for your POD venture.

 

10 Alternative Stores to Merch by Amazon

If you’re planning to sell Amazon t-shirts, here are several alternative sites you may want to consider.

1. Teespring

Teespring offers an end to end solution that lets users create and sell online. They offer apparel, phone cases, home decor, accessories, and mugs. Like most POD sites, this platform is a favorite among entrepreneurs because of it being a no risk-turn key solution. They handle marketing, production, fulfillment, and customer service, so it’s a good option, especially for eCommerce newbies.

2. Redbubble

Redbubble was founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2006 as a venue to connect artists and designers with passionate fans. The platform takes pride in offering designs that are uncommon but awesome – designs that you wouldn’t find in a traditional apparel store. They describe their products in three words – personal, original, and high quality.

3. Fine Art America

Due to its name, many associate Fine Art America with wall art and home decor. However, their products go beyond beautiful hangable prints. In fact, their apparel collection – t-shirts, tank tops, sweatshirts, and more – proves that art doesn’t only belong on your wall but also in your wardrobe.

4. Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt is a go-to eCommerce store for shoppers who want to design their own shirt. However, it’s also popular among those who aren’t feeling very creative and would just want to purchase an excellent design they see. Aside from t-shirts and hoodies, the platform is also famous for its bags, drinkware, and posters.

5. Displate

If you’re looking for a POD item other than shirts, check out Displate. The platform provides sturdy magnet-mounted metal posters. The platform boasts of having more than 1.5 million website visitors monthly and hosts more than 1.2 million artworks. Displate also offers high-value products; for instance, a large metal print costs $89 while Amazon t-shirts cost around $10 to $25 on average. So that means a bigger potential to earn more.

6. Society6

Society6 offers a lot more than apparel. In fact, they have just about anything you can print on! Aside from the regular merch, they also have bath mats, shower curtains, duvet covers, and even furniture like credenzas and coffee tables. 

7. Teepublic

Despite being acquired by Redbubble in 2018, Teepublic holds a personality uniquely its own. This platform encourages indie artists to turn their passions into a profitable venture, and most of their apparel designs are hip and pop culture.

8. Zazzle

Zazzle does a lot more than printing designs on shirts. They allow designers to sell their art and makers to showcase their customizable products. The platform also offers “create-your-own products” to users, making it a popular choice among shoppers and creatives alike.

9. Threadless

Based in Chicago, Threadless takes pride in being an online community of artists rather than a mere eCommerce website. The platform allows fans to choose score designs, making it a virtual venue where shoppers and artists can collaborate.

10. Cafepress

Aside from shirts, Cafepress also offers a wide range of wearables, from joggers and leggings to hoodies and sweatshirts. They even offer underwear! The platform has also partnered with various media companies to produce fan shirts. They have contemporary designs such as Marvel, Riverdale, and Game of Thrones. And at the same time, they offer shirts based on classic franchises such as Top Gun, I Love Lucy, and The Godfather.

Conclusion

Despite the popularity of Amazon t-shirts and other custom-designed items sold through Merch by Amazon, it’s not the be-all-end-all of POD.

Many alternatives also offer the same business potential and, sometimes, even more opportunities to grow your investment.

In the end, whether you choose to sell custom-made Amazon t-shirts or opt for any of the alternatives above, the success of your POD business will always boil down to one crucial factor: your t-shirt design and how it appeals to your target market.

Excited to build your own shirt empire? Check out our portfolio and see how our on-demand design services can help you create t-shirt design that will sell like pancakes!