Amazon announced on Monday that users can now design custom merchandise using AI through its Alexa feature in the Shopping app. The new functionality allows customers to generate designs for items such as T-shirts, tumblers, and water bottles, which can then be produced and delivered via Prime shipping. The service is free to use, with customers only paying for the final products. The feature is currently available only in the U.S. and requires users to tap the Alexa icon or search for 'customize' in the app to access the design tool. Users can describe their idea to Alexa, see the generated design, and make edits before sharing the product with friends or family. The feature lowers the barrier for consumers who want to turn ideas into physical products without traditional design skills. The move places AI-generated merchandise directly within Amazon’s Shopping app, offering another shopping option for users. The service could be useful for creating one-off designs, such as personalized gifts or family reunion apparel, according to Amazon. (Artists whose work has been used to train AI models may be less enthusiastic about this type of idea, of course.)
Amazon’s new feature integrates AI-generated designs into its print-on-demand service, Merch on Demand. This allows users to create products featuring images like a portrait of their dog or custom text. The company says it handles the production and delivery of the items through Prime shipping. The feature is part of Amazon’s broader effort to expand its e-commerce offerings and provide more options for consumers. The full list of supported merchandise includes T-shirts, V-necks, long-sleeve shirts, polo shirts, quarter zips, jerseys, hoodies, sweatshirts, tank tops, raglans, tumblers, and water bottles. The service is free to use, with customers only paying for the products themselves. The move puts AI-generated merchandise directly inside Amazon’s Shopping app, lowering the barrier for consumers who want to turn ideas into physical products but lack traditional design skills.
Amazon’s feature challenges online merch platforms like Redbubble and Bonfire by offering a more accessible and automated design process. While print-on-demand businesses typically cater to creators and organizations, Amazon’s new feature could make AI-designed merchandise another shopping option. The service is currently only available in the U.S. and requires users to tap the Alexa icon or search for 'customize' in the app to access the design tool. Users can describe their idea to Alexa, see the generated design, and make edits before sharing the product with friends or family. The feature is free to use, with customers only paying for the products themselves.
Source: techcrunch
