Amazon KDP Vs Merch By Amazon – The 4 Key Differences Between Them

 

Amazon KDP and Merch By Amazon are both great programs from Amazon that allows you to make money online.

Although they are coming from the same brand, there are some differences between them.

In today’s blog post, I’m going to show you what are those differences that worth mentioning.

So stay tuned with me.

 

Difference #1: The Final Product

Amazon KDP’s final product is a book which can be either a physical paperback book or an ebook.

You as the publisher or author is having the flexibility to choose which one to produce out of the 2 types.

Physical paperback book version would allows customers to receive it in their mailing address and enjoy the experience of touching it physically.

Ebook version would allows customers to read it instantly using a Kindle device or Kindle Cloud Reader app without the delivery waiting time.

One the other hand, Merch By Amazon’s final product is a merchandise.

The list of merchandises that you can produce are such as normal T-Shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie and PopSockets (at the time of writing this blog post).

Merch by Amazon might be adding other things you can produce to that list from time to time.

 

Difference #2: Application Time

 

 

The time required to apply Amazon KDP and Merch by Amazon accounts are vary greatly.

For Amazon KDP account, you can just apply and start your book publishing business instantly.

There is no waiting time or approval process needed.

There is no hassle for you to create your Amazon KDP account.

On the other hand, Merch By Amazon account only allows you to get it by invitation.

This means you can’t just sign-up and start your merchandising business immediately.

First, you’ll need to request an invitation from Merch by Amazon from its homepage and tell them your background and experience.

Then only Amazon side would consider if they should accept you into the program.

The whole process can takes many months before they come back to you with a good news (if your application is approved).

Getting a Merch by Amazon account is much more tedious and time-consuming.

 

Difference #3: Payout Requirement

 

 

Amazon KDP would pays you around 60 days after the end of the month in which you have earned your royalties/commissions.

You have the option to receive your payout either through Direct Deposit, Check or Wire Transfer.

However, if you are using Check or Wire Transfer option, be prepared that there is a payment threshold you need to earn first before you can receive your money.

The payment threshold are $100 USD, £100, €100, $100 CAD, 1,000 MXN, ¥ 10,000 or $100 AUD.

One the other hand, Merch By Amazon pays you in much lesser time.

You can expect to receive your payout around 30 days after the end of the calendar month in which the product was shipped.

But you only have 2 options to receive payout: Direct Deposit and Wire Transfer. Check is not supported currently (at the time of writing this blog post).

If you are using Wire Transfer, there is a payment threshold of $100 USD, €100 EUR, £100 GBP, ¥10,000 JPY, or $100 CAD.

 

Difference #4: Number Of Items

 

 

Amazon KDP does not restrict the number of books you can have in your account.

This means you can publish as many books as you want.

Without the quantity restriction, you would have a better chance of getting more sales from different books you have.

On the other hand, Merch by Amazon does have quantity restriction.

It only allows up to max 10 different design items in your account when your account is new and have no sales yet.

You are required to have a minimum sale of 10 units of the items in your account before you can move up to next tier.

In the next tier, you are given the chance to have up to 25 different design items.

Then you would be required a minimum sale of 25 units of the items in your account before you can have more items.

In short, you need to reach a minimum sales in each tier to have more items in your account.

Therefore, the profits you can reap from Merch by Amazon is going to be smaller at the beginning.

Because you’re limited by the items you can have in your account.

 

Conclusion

 

I believe that you can see quite clearly what are the distinctive differences between Amazon KDP and Merch by Amazon.

If you asked me which one is better, I would say both have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Therefore, I have business in both of them so I can enjoy the best of both worlds 🙂