How do you sell handmade products on Amazon and turn your craft into profit? This guide covers application approval, pricing strategies, and SEO optimization. Megaficus shows you how to navigate Amazon Handmade and build a thriving artisan business.
Quick Summary
- Amazon Handmade is a specialized marketplace launched in 2015 where verified artisans sell handcrafted products with custom storefronts and access to Amazon’s customer base.
- How the platform works: Sellers complete application approval, create branded storefronts, choose FBA or FBM fulfillment, and use sponsored ads for visibility.
- Seller requirements: Need a Professional Selling Plan (fee waived after approval), be individual artisans or teams under 20 people, sell only handmade products, and submit documentation with product photos.
- Selling process: Register seller account, submit application with production details, wait 7-14 days for approval, then set up Maker Profile with images and brand story.
- Costs: 15% referral fee per sale after plan waiver; optional FBA and advertising costs with customizable budgets.
What Is Amazon Handmade?
Amazon Handmade is a specialized marketplace within Amazon where artisans sell unique, handcrafted products directly to customers. Launched in 2015, this platform focuses exclusively on handmade items rather than mass-produced goods.
Unlike the standard Amazon store, it allows craftspeople to create custom storefronts and share their creative process with buyers. Through this dedicated section, artisans can reach Amazon’s vast customer base while preserving the authenticity and personal touch of their handcrafted work.
How The Amazon Handmade Platform Works For Sellers?
The Amazon Handmade platform operates through a structured process that guides artisans from registration to running their online business:
- Application and approval process: Sellers apply with details about their handmade products and crafting methods. Amazon’s review team evaluates each application to verify authenticity and quality standards before granting shop access.
- Storefront setup and product listing: Approved sellers create customizable branded storefronts that reflect their artistic style. They upload high-quality images with detailed descriptions to showcase each item’s unique features and tell their brand story.
- Order fulfillment options: Sellers choose between Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) to pack and ship from their own workshops, or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), where Amazon handles all storage, packing, and shipping from their warehouses.
- Marketing and promotional tools: The platform provides sponsored product ads to increase search visibility and seasonal campaigns during peak shopping periods. These tools help artisans reach broader audiences and boost sales throughout the year.
Requirements You Must Meet To Sell On Amazon Handmade
Before applying to Amazon Handmade, you must meet specific seller eligibility criteria, product standards, and documentation requirements to gain approval.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Amazon Handmade, sellers must meet specific account and business criteria before submitting their application:
- Professional selling plan subscription: You need an active Professional Selling Plan, which costs $39.99 monthly. Amazon waives this subscription fee from the second month onward once your application is approved and your listings meet handmade standards.
- Eligible seller types: Amazon Handmade accepts three categories of artisan sellers:
- Independent craftspeople who create products individually
- Small creative teams with fewer than 20 members (including family, friends, or employees)
- Cooperatives, non-profit organizations, or social enterprises producing handcrafted goods
- Account status requirements: Your Amazon seller account must maintain good standing with no active restrictions. This includes meeting performance metrics and consistently following Amazon’s selling policies throughout your time on the platform.
Application Documentation Requirements
Amazon requires comprehensive documentation during the application process to confirm your authenticity as a handmade artisan:
- Required documentation: Provide detailed explanations of your design methods and production workflow. Submit product photos that clearly display your brand name or logo on the items. Organizations must include website links or documentation proving their business structure.
- Supporting materials: Adding social media profiles or portfolio websites can strengthen your application’s credibility. Clear, authentic photos of your workspace and crafting process help verify the handmade nature of your products.
- Approval process: Amazon may grant conditional approval while waiting for Professional Plan upgrades or additional verification documents. Respond quickly to any requests from Amazon to prevent delays in your application approval timeline.
Amazon’s Handmade Product Requirements
Amazon Handmade enforces clear product standards to ensure marketplace authenticity. Accepted products include:
- Accepted handmade products: Items you craft entirely by hand, hand-altered goods you’ve significantly modified, hand-assembled products using simple tools, and upcycled or repurposed items you’ve transformed into new creations.
- Prohibited product types: Mass-manufactured goods, factory-produced items, third-party resold products, and dropshipped orders are not allowed. Digital downloads, food/beverages, electronics, and unaltered raw materials (except handcrafted DIY kits and supplies) are also restricted.
- Available product categories: Amazon Handmade includes categories like Jewelry, Home & Kitchen, Clothing, Art, Toys, and Pet Supplies. Each category has specific listing guidelines, so review the requirements for your product niche before applying.
How To Sell On Amazon Handmade: Step-By-Step Guide
Once you understand the requirements, follow these step-by-step instructions to register your seller account, submit your application, and launch your Amazon Handmade storefront.
Setting Up Your Amazon Professional Seller Account
You need to visit sellercentral.amazon.com to register for a Professional Selling Plan. During registration, you must complete basic business information, identity verification documents, and tax forms to establish your credentials.
Submitting Your Application To Join Amazon Handmade
Once your Professional Seller Account is active, you can begin the Amazon Handmade application process:
- Access the application portal Navigate to the Amazon Handmade application page through your Seller Central dashboard. This mandatory application unlocks access to Handmade-specific features and storefront tools.
- Complete the application form: The form asks about your business structure, crafting methods, and product categories you intend to sell. Answer each question thoroughly, providing clear descriptions of how you create your handmade items and operate your artisan business.
- Submit for review: After completing all required fields, submit your application to Amazon’s review team. Be honest and accurate in your responses, as Amazon carefully evaluates each application to maintain the marketplace’s integrity and authenticity standards.
Documents, Details, And Product Images You Need To Prepare
Before submitting your Amazon Handmade application, you need to prepare specific documentation and images with exact technical specifications:
- Product images with brand identification: Submit 3-5 high-quality photos of your finished products with your business card, logo, or company name clearly visible in each image.
- Production process description: Provide detailed written descriptions, including specific materials used, step-by-step production process, and approximate time for each manufacturing step.
- Workspace and creation process photos: Include images showing your workspace, tools, and hands-on creation process. While marked as optional, these photos significantly increase approval chances.
- Supporting business documentation: Organizations must provide website links or business structure documentation. Social media profiles or portfolio websites are optional but helpful.
- Product listing images technical requirements: Minimum 1000 pixels on longest side (for zoom function), recommended 1600-2000 pixels, maximum 10,000 pixels and 10 MB file size. Use JPEG format with 1:1 aspect ratio (2000x2000px optimal), pure white background RGB (255, 255, 255), product fills 85% of frame.
Typical Review And Approval Timeline For Amazon Handmade
Amazon’s evaluation process typically takes 7-14 days, though some applications may require additional time if the review team needs clarification.
Many sellers receive conditional approval rather than immediate full access. In these cases, you may need to complete your Professional Selling Plan upgrade or submit additional documentation about your production process before your store becomes active.
You should respond promptly to any follow-up requests from Amazon to expedite your approval timeline. Additionally, monitor your email regularly during the review period for updates or requests for supplementary information.
How To Set Up And Customize Your Amazon Handmade Shop
Once approved, you need to build your Amazon Handmade storefront through Seller Central to showcase your products and brand:
- Access your maker profile editor: Navigate to Settings (gear icon) in Seller Central, select Handmade Hub, then click “Maker Profile Editor” to begin setup.
- Upload brand visuals with exact specifications: Add store cover image (1200 x 350 pixels, no watermarks), profile photo (minimum 200 pixels on shortest side), and brand logo (minimum 400 x 400 pixels in square format).
- Create shop name and brand statement: Enter a unique shop name without promotional phrases like “Shop Now” or “LLC”. Write a concise mission statement communicating your craftsmanship values and product distinctiveness.
- Complete your maker profile story: Share your creative journey, inspiration sources, and why you chose this craft. Describe specific materials, production techniques, sustainable aspects, and cultural influences that inform your work to create emotional connections with buyers.
- Maintain visual brand consistency: Use consistent colors, fonts, and design elements across banner, logo, and product photography to create a cohesive professional appearance and build customer trust.
How Much Does It Cost To Sell Handmade Products On Amazon?
Understanding Amazon Handmade’s fee structure helps you calculate profit margins accurately:
| Fee Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Selling Plan | $39.99/month | Required subscription, waived from month 2 onward for approved Handmade sellers (saves $480/year) |
| Referral Fee | 15% per sale | Charged on total sale price, including shipping, $1.00 minimum per item |
| Product Listing | $0 | Unlimited listings at no cost |
| FBA Storage (Optional) | Variable | Monthly storage fees if using Fulfillment by Amazon; varies by size and season |
| FBA Fulfillment (Optional) | Per unit | Picking, packing, and shipping fees if using the FBA service |
| Advertising (Optional) | Variable | Pay-per-click sponsored ads; you set a daily budget and bid amounts |
Best Practices To Grow Your Amazon Handmade Business
After setting up your storefront, implement these proven strategies to optimize your listings, increase visibility, and maximize sales on Amazon Handmade.
Product Photography Standards And Best Practices
You should use natural window light or light box setups with two sources at 45-degree angles to eliminate shadows. Utilize all 9 image slots: main product shot, lifestyle photos in real-world settings, close-up macro shots of craftsmanship details, multiple angles, and scale comparisons with familiar objects.
Proven Templates For Writing Handmade Product Descriptions
You should structure your descriptions with three elements: an opening paragraph about your product’s handmade qualities, five bullet points (dimensions, materials, care, production time, ideal uses), and a closing sentence on gifting occasions. Additionally, use clear language that emphasizes craftsmanship without excessive promotion.
For example, a hand-knitted wool blanket with traditional cable patterns. Each piece is individually crafted using premium merino wool:
- Dimensions: 50 x 60 inches, ideal for couches or beds
- Material: 100% Australian merino wool, naturally dyed
- Care: Hand wash cold or dry clean to maintain texture
- Ships: Within 7-10 days after order placement
- Perfect for home decor, wedding gifts, or cozy evenings
- Handcrafted in our Vermont workshop since 2018.
Effective Pricing Strategies For Handmade Products
Calculate your base price using: Materials + Labor + Profit Margin + 15% referral fee.
For example: ceramic mug with $5 materials + 2 hours at $20/hour + $15 profit (25%) = $60, then multiply by 1.176 to cover fees = $70.56 final price.
Implement tiered pricing: base leather wallet at $45, add monogramming (+$10) for $55, premium leather (+$15) for $60, or both (+$25) for $70. Premium pricing works for handcrafted items when justified through storytelling and limited availability, compete on quality and uniqueness, not price.
Setting Shipping Options And Handling Times For Handmade Orders
You should set production times in Seller Central by navigating to Inventory → Manage All Inventory → Edit → Offer → Handling Time. Amazon Handmade allows up to 30 days handling time, but deliveries under 14 days significantly boost visibility and sales.
For example, set 3-5 days for ready-to-ship items, 7-10 days for standard custom work, or 14-30 days for complex orders. Additionally, consider using FBA for non-customized products you produce in advance; it offers 2-day Prime shipping, higher conversion rates, and reduced support needs despite storage fees.
SEO Tips To Improve Visibility For Handmade Product Listings
You should optimize titles up to 200 characters with material, function, style, and occasion. For example: “Handmade Leather Wallet – Slim Bifold for Men – Custom Engraved Gift”.
Additionally, you should use backend search terms (250 characters max) with relevant keywords, avoiding commas or repetition, and add style keywords (100 characters max) like “rustic”, “minimalist”, or “vintage”.
You need to incorporate secondary keywords in bullet points while highlighting features, use Jungle Scout or Amazon autocomplete for research, apply occasion tags, and update keywords quarterly for strong rankings.
FAQs About How To Sell Handmade Products On Amazon
Amazon Handmade requires approval and charges 15% referral fees with no listing fees, while Etsy allows instant signup with 20¢ listing fees and 6.5% transaction fees. Amazon offers FBA fulfillment and Prime access, whereas Etsy has no warehousing services.
No. You can register as an individual artisan using personal tax information. However, an LLC may provide liability protection and tax benefits as your business grows.
No. Amazon Handmade only accepts handmade, hand-altered, hand-assembled, or upcycled products created by you or your small team. Mass-manufactured and resold items are prohibited.
Get Professional Help from Megaficus
Learning how to sell handmade products on Amazon opens access to millions of customers and provides powerful tools to grow your artisan business. By following the application process, optimizing your listings, and implementing proven pricing and SEO strategies, you can build a profitable handmade store on the world’s largest marketplace.
Don’t hesitate to contact Megaficus for expert guidance and customized solutions to launch your Amazon Handmade business successfully and achieve sustainable long-term growth.
