Redbubble & Merch by Amazon: Proven Ways to Make Money with Print on Demand in 2025

Ever wondered how people are turning simple t-shirt designs into real income?
Are platforms like Redbubble and Merch by Amazon really worth your time in 2025?
Can you start today—even without design experience—and actually make money with print on demand?

The rise of e-commerce has paved the way for a new generation of side hustles, and print on demand is leading the pack. It’s a model that allows creators to upload artwork and sell it on products like shirts, mugs, and posters—without ever handling inventory or shipping. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a seasoned designer, platforms like Redbubble and Merch by Amazon provide everything you need to tap into global markets.

This article explains exactly how to make money with print on demand, comparing the biggest platforms, showing you how to create best-selling designs, and guiding you to the most profitable niches for 2025.

Understanding Merch by Amazon: A Gateway to Earning

How Merch by Amazon Works

Merch by Amazon is a platform where you upload your t-shirt designs, choose your price, and Amazon takes care of the rest—printing, shipping, and customer service. You earn royalties from each sale, making it one of the easiest ways to make money with print on demand.

To start, you must apply and get approved. Once accepted, you can upload designs in PNG format with transparent backgrounds and add product details including title, brand, and bullet points.

Key Benefits of Using Merch by Amazon

• Massive Reach: Access millions of Amazon customers instantly

• No Upfront Costs: No need to buy inventory

• Prime Delivery: Products are eligible for Amazon Prime shipping

• Automated Fulfillment: Amazon handles printing and customer service

Redbubble: An Open Marketplace for Creatives

How to Get Started on Redbubble

Redbubble makes it easy to open a store and start uploading designs. Once your store is live, you can enable your artwork on a variety of products—shirts, stickers, pillows, phone cases, and more.

Your success depends heavily on how well you optimize your product titles, tags, and descriptions. Redbubble allows creators from all over the world to profit from their art in minutes.

Pros and Cons of Redbubble

Pros:

• Open to everyone (no approval process)

• Wide variety of products

• Built-in audience of art lovers

Cons:

• Lower visibility unless you promote

• High competition

• Lower profit margins compared to Amazon

Redbubble vs Teespring: Which Platform Wins?

Comparing Ease of Use

Both platforms are beginner-friendly, but Redbubble has a slight edge with its open access and faster setup. Teespring, however, offers more customization options and better store branding features.

Earnings Potential and Audience Reach

Redbubble has a larger organic audience, while Teespring allows for higher profit margins with direct marketing. If you’re good at driving your own traffic, Teespring might be the better choice.

 Want a deeper comparison? Check out this detailed guide comparing the top t-shirt design platforms.

How to Create T-Shirt Designs That Sell

Tools and Software for Beginners

You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard. Use these tools to get started:

• Canva (free & easy)

• Placeit (mockups & templates)

• GIMP (free alternative to Photoshop)

• Procreate (for iPad designers)

Design Tips to Stand Out

• Keep it bold and readable from a distance

• Focus on niche audiences

• Avoid copyrighted characters or logos

• Test different colors and mockups

• Stay up-to-date with cultural trends

Finding Profitable Niches in 2025

How to Use Trends to Your Advantage

The secret to success in print on demand lies in niche targeting. Generic designs rarely succeed. Use tools like Google Trends, Pinterest, or Amazon search autocomplete to spot rising interests.

Real-World Examples of Niche Success

• Pet lovers (e.g., “Pug Dad”)

• Retirement humor (e.g., “Retired but Always Tired”)

• Hobbies (e.g., “Knitting is My Superpower”)

Print on Demand for Beginners: What You Must Know

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using low-resolution designs

• Skipping keyword research

• Uploading too few designs

• Ignoring SEO and tags

• Failing to promote your store

How to Scale from Beginner to Pro

Start with 5–10 designs. Watch what sells. Scale up by uploading regularly and studying your analytics. Eventually, you can even hire freelance designers to expand your brand.

Marketing Your T-Shirt Designs for Maximum Profit

SEO and Tags for Print on Demand

Use long-tail keywords and descriptive tags for each design. Include the niche, theme, and style (e.g., “funny fishing dad shirt”). Make sure your title, description, and tags match.

Free and Paid Marketing Strategies

Free methods:

• Pinterest boards

• Instagram reels and TikToks

• Reddit niche groups

• Facebook groups

Paid methods:

• Facebook Ads (target interests)

• Instagram influencers

• Google Shopping Ads

 For in-depth insights into building a POD business, check out this expert resource

Real-World Case Study: Success on Multiple Platforms

Samantha, a stay-at-home mom from the UK, started designing on Canva in 2022. After uploading her designs on Redbubble and Merch by Amazon, she saw steady growth. Her income crossed $1,500/month in under a year—all from evergreen niches like pets and wellness. Her tip? “Focus on one design style and get really good at it.”

Emerging Print-on-Demand Platforms with Low Competition

While Redbubble and Merch by Amazon dominate the scene, consider trying out less saturated platforms with rising potential:

• Zazzle – Offers more customization and product types like invitations, office supplies, and accessories.

• Displate – Great for digital artists who want to sell printed metal posters.

• Spreadshirt – Strong in European markets and allows you to create your own branded storefront.

Tip: Test your underperforming designs from Redbubble on these platforms—you might be surprised by the results!

Using Print-on-Demand Analytics Tools for Market Insights

To take your POD game to the next level, leverage tools designed to give you deep insights into what’s trending:

• Podly – Tracks bestsellers and keyword performance on Merch by Amazon.

• Flying Research – A popular choice for Redbubble trends and tag research.

• Merch Ninja – Offers competitive analysis, keyword tools, and sales estimations.

These tools can save hours of guesswork and put you ahead of the curve.

Maximize One Design Across Multiple Products

Don’t stop at t-shirts. You can make money with print on demand by multiplying your income—just apply one strong design to different product formats. Here’s how:

Cross-listing your design on multiple products can turn a $5/month design into $50/month.

Advanced Marketing: Micro-Influencer Collaborations

Instead of sinking your budget into Facebook or Google Ads, consider this strategy:

• Partner with micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers) in your niche.

• Offer free merch or commission-based payouts.

• Ask them to promote your design in an authentic way.

This is a cost-effective method to tap into highly engaged audiences, especially on TikTok and Instagram.

Design Psychology: Use Colors and Fonts to Influence Buyers

Understanding buyer psychology helps increase conversion. Consider this:

• Red = urgency, excitement – use it for trending, limited-edition designs

• Green = calm, money – great for eco-friendly or financial niche shirts

• Bold Fonts = strength – ideal for empowerment or gym niches

• Script Fonts = elegance – perfect for quotes, feminine topics

Your design should resonate emotionally with the buyer before they even read the words.

 Want to Add Even More?

Let me know if you’d like to include any of these:

•  “Common Challenges POD Sellers Face—and How to Overcome Them”.

•  “Seasonal Selling Calendar: When to Launch Designs for Max Profit”.

•  “From POD to Brand: Building a Loyal Audience”.

FAQs: Top Questions About Print on Demand Success

Q1: Can I use the same design on multiple platforms?

Yes. As long as the design is your own and doesn’t violate copyrights, you can upload it to Redbubble, Teespring, and Amazon.

Q2: How long does it take to get approved by Merch by Amazon?

Approval times vary but usually take between 2 to 4 weeks.

Q3: How much can I realistically earn per month?

Beginners might earn $50–$200/month. Consistent uploaders and niche experts can reach $1,000+ monthly.

Q4: Do I need to run ads to make sales?

Ads help, but aren’t necessary. Good SEO and trending designs can bring organic traffic.

Q5: What if I’m not a designer?

You can use tools like Canva or hire designers on Fiverr or Upwork.

 For more strategies, visit this Teepublic Guide

Final Thoughts: Is Print on Demand Worth It in 2025?

Absolutely. Print on demand remains one of the easiest and lowest-risk ways to start making money online. With platforms like Redbubble and Merch by Amazon, you don’t need to worry about inventory or customer service. Just focus on creating smart, niche-targeted designs and marketing them properly.