Navigating the Shadows: My Amazon Merch Journey

   Navigating the Shadows: My Amazon Merch Journey

I'm not quite sure how many pairs of eyes have stumbled upon my humble blog posts and pages, but I feel compelled to share a bittersweet update on my journey with Amazon Merch on Demand. It's been a rollercoaster of emotions, to say the least.

Since my voyage began on September 1, 2023, I've seen 24 sales grace my presence on Amazon. It's an achievement that warms my heart, but there's a shadow of sadness that looms. Among the joyous moments, there have been a few tears.

The thrill of receiving four glorious 5-star reviews from delighted customers is undeniable. Yet, as the scales of fate would have it, one of my creations was returned to Amazon, like a beloved letter that failed to reach its intended destination. It was a Samsung Galaxy S8 phone case, and the reasons for its return remain a mystery – one that stings the heart of an artist who longs for their work to be cherished.

Financially, I've gathered just over $115.00 from this artistic journey, but the melancholy comes when I tally the profits. The lion's share of each sale goes to Amazon, leaving me with a mere 20% on average, depending on the product. It's a tough pill to swallow, knowing the gap between what's earned and what's deserved.

One of the darkest clouds on this journey is understanding why some of my designs face the dreaded "rejected" stamp by the Amazon Merch on Demand team. It's like deciphering a cryptic code, an enigma that haunts my creative spirit. Many of my creations share similar art styles, and I use what I believe to be generic descriptions and keywords. Yet, inexplicably, some designs are cast aside without explanation, wrapped in vague reasons, leaving me in an artistic labyrinth.

But for all its complexities, the process is a relatively straightforward one. I don't fret about managing inventory, appeasing customer queries, or shipping packages to their new homes – Amazon handles all that heavy lifting. My role, for the most part, is the enjoyable one – crafting captivating pieces of AI Artwork, tweaking and perfecting the images in post-processing with Photoshop and GIMP, and ensuring they fit the various product sizes. Uploading, tagging, and describing are the cherry on top.

However, if only I could unravel the mystery behind these sporadic rejections. Amazon, in its own unique way, bombards your inbox with rejection emails, and it's as if each email holds a piece of a puzzle I can't seem to solve. There was a day I received a staggering 265 rejection emails, all for a mere five designs I'd uploaded. It's bewildering, to say the least.

On the marketplace front, I've ventured into the realms of the US and Germany, with 19 sales in the US and 5 in Germany. Yet, it's the returned case from a US customer that continues to cast a shadow on my journey.

And so, dear readers, my Amazon Merch journey unfolds with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. As I navigate the shadows, I remain determined to learn from the challenges, celebrate the victories, and cherish the art of the unexpected. This, my friends, is my story so far, colored by the bittersweet hues of creativity and commerce.