My First Year Selling on Merch by Amazon: A Journey of 242 Sales
It’s hard to believe, but I’ve officially completed my first full year selling on Merch by Amazon. Looking back, it’s been a rewarding mix of challenges, growth, and excitement. Over the past 12 months, I’ve made 242 sales—a number that might seem modest to some, but for me, it's a huge achievement. Each sale represents progress and has been a stepping stone in my journey. Every milestone, no matter how small, has taught me valuable lessons that continue to shape how I approach design and selling.
Starting with Digital Artwork: No Text Needed
Unlike many who begin with simple, catchy text designs, I started my journey differently. I’ve never been focused on text-based designs. In fact, very few of my creations rely solely on text. From the very first day, I was drawn to visual artistry. Being more of a visual person, I find that images often speak louder than words, and that’s what I focused on—artwork without text.
I’ve always admired beautiful illustrations but wasn’t skilled in traditional mediums like hand-drawing or painting. Instead, I embraced digital artwork, which felt more natural and accessible to me. I use AI-based artwork generators online to create unique digital art pieces. These tools have been essential in helping me bring my creative ideas to life. My journey began with AI, and it remains a core part of my design process today.
The Power of AI in My Design Process
AI artwork generators have been a complete game-changer. They allow me to create digital art without needing to master traditional artistic skills. My process starts by generating an artwork idea through an AI platform. But I don’t stop there—post-processing is where I bring everything to life.
Once the artwork is generated, I make significant modifications. I use post-processing software to adjust elements, resize, enhance colors, and remove backgrounds when necessary. This allows me to create polished, professional-looking designs ready for print. AI provides me with the flexibility and creativity to produce unique pieces that resonate with potential customers, and it continues to be the foundation of my creative process.
Branching into Text-Based Designs
While I initially focused only on artwork, over the past year, I started experimenting with text-based designs. This has been a new and exciting challenge for me. But even when I use text, I always blend it with my visual art instincts by pairing the text with a graphic element. This combination keeps my designs engaging and visually appealing, maintaining the style that I’ve developed over the year.
For instance, if I create a design with a motivational or humorous quote, I make sure to include a complementary graphic that enhances the overall message. This balance between text and imagery keeps my designs both fresh and expressive. Exploring text-based designs is something I’m excited to continue as I grow my catalog.
My First Sale and What It Taught Me
Two weeks into my Merch by Amazon journey, I made my first sale. That moment felt like pure validation—my designs were resonating with someone, somewhere, and it was an incredible feeling. I remember checking my dashboard and seeing that sale notification. It was a small milestone, but it meant everything to me.
More than just the excitement of income, that first sale was proof that what I was doing had potential. The most important lesson I learned was patience. Success wasn’t going to come overnight, but it was within reach. That sale motivated me to keep refining my designs, uploading more consistently, and trusting the process.
The Reality of Slow Growth
After the high of my first sale, I quickly realized that growth was going to be slow and steady. Sales didn’t flood in as quickly as I had hoped. Some months brought a handful of sales, while others were more successful. During quieter periods, I questioned if my designs were good enough or if I was missing something.
But I learned that slow growth is normal, especially in a crowded market like Merch by Amazon. With so many sellers and designers competing for attention, standing out takes time. Those slower months were a learning experience, teaching me resilience and the importance of staying the course.
I stayed consistent, uploading new designs regularly—whether artwork-based or my newer text-graphic combinations. Slowly but surely, sales began to add up. By the six-month mark, I had made 128 sales. For some, that might not seem like much, but for me, every sale felt like a victory. Progress, however small, is still progress, and that’s what kept me going.
Reflecting on 242 Sales: Progress, Not Perfection
Fast forward to today, and I’ve made 242 sales in my first year. I won’t deny that there were moments of comparison—seeing other sellers reach that number in just weeks or months made me wonder if I was moving too slowly. But I learned that everyone’s journey is different. Comparison can steal your joy if you let it.
Those 242 sales are more than just numbers. They represent growth—every design, every hour spent learning and improving, and every moment of self-doubt and triumph. Most importantly, they symbolize the beginning of what I believe will be a long-term venture rather than a one-year sprint.
What Helped Me Succeed
Looking back, a few key strategies helped me stay motivated and see success throughout my first year:
Leverage AI Tools: Using AI artwork generators has been a huge advantage. It allows me to produce detailed, eye-catching designs quickly, helping me stand out in a competitive market.
Quality Over Quantity: I quickly learned that rushing to upload as many designs as possible wasn’t the answer. A smaller collection of high-quality, well-thought-out designs performed better than hundreds of rushed ones.
Consistency: Even during slower months, I stayed consistent. Whether by uploading new designs, tweaking old ones, or experimenting with new styles, I kept pushing forward.
Pair Text with Graphics: For text-based designs, I always combined them with visuals. This kept my style consistent and allowed me to branch into text while still focusing on my strength—artwork.
Looking Ahead: Goals for Year Two
As I enter my second year on Merch by Amazon, I reflect on how I approached things from day one. I didn’t gradually branch out to new products. From the start, I made sure my artwork was available on all product types—whether t-shirts, pillows, popsockets, phone cases, or tote bags. This diversification allowed me to reach a wider audience and increase my chances of making sales across various categories.
Additionally, I enabled my designs to sell in all available marketplaces, not just the U.S. This global reach has helped me gain traction with customers from all over the world, further expanding my potential for success.
Final Thoughts
As I look forward to my second year, I feel optimistic. My 242 sales may seem small to some, but they are the foundation of something bigger. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, and I’m excited about what lies ahead.
To anyone just starting their journey on Merch by Amazon, remember this: progress doesn’t happen overnight. Stay consistent, keep learning, and most of all, enjoy the process. Success is on the horizon!