Million Dollar Case Study: Branding Amazon Products (plus Trademarks and Packaging)

This article contains expert-led insights from a previous season of the Million Dollar Case Study.

MDCS is a free, comprehensive video series by Jungle Scout in which veteran Amazon sellers show budding entrepreneurs how to succeed on Amazon—by actually doing it. The series takes viewers step by step through the process of launching a real product on Amazon in real time—from product research to finding a supplier to advertising.

Check out our most current season here for the latest information on selling on Amazon. 

  • In this episode, we cover the importance of branding Amazon products
  • How to conduct Amazon product trademark research
  • Do you need a trademark for an Amazon private label product?
  • Missed an episode? See them all here.

We’re covering all of this today in our seventh episode of the Million Dollar Case Study. Watch the video, keep reading and don’t forget to download your FREE MDCS Workbook at the end of this blog post!

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Welcome Back to the Million Dollar Case Study!

I’m excited because today we’re going to be talking about one of my favorite topics – creating a solid brand! This includes ensuring your product has no trademark violations. 

For this episode, I interviewed Suzi Hixon, a trademark attorney who was very helpful in explaining the often confusing and complex world of trademarks. 

Please note: I’m not an attorney and Jungle Scout isn’t licensed to give you official legal advice. Everything that follows is based on our experience as Amazon sellers and consulting with trademark experts. 

Branding Amazon Products: Branding

Begin with the end in mind. Amazon is just the launching platform to start and sell your brand – you need to look at the big, long-term picture!

There are two brands names you’ll need when you’re first setting up your Amazon Seller Central account. The first will be your store name and the second will be creating a brand name for your product. Here’s an example:

Store Name

Keep this name generic so you can add products in different niches over time.

Product Name

This is the fun part. You’ll want to choose a strong and viable name, a name that you can potentially trademark down the road. There are some great benefits to trademarking your brand. We’ll cover that this episode, but first – let’s get creative! 

Here are some helpful resources to get started:

Branding Amazon Products: Trademarks

What is a trademark? A trademark can be a symbol or word that represents a product or company. Typically if an object is Trademarked you will see the (™) or the (®) symbol preceding the mark. However, there is a slight difference between the two symbols, the (™) symbol indicates the assertion that the word, image, or other sign is a trademark; it does not indicate registration. Registered trademarks, on the other hand, use the (®) symbol. 

💡PRO TIP: You can begin to use the (™) symbol right away.

As an Amazon seller, is it required for you to file a trademark?

The short answer, no. Registering for a trademark is more of a nice-to-have than a necessity. That said, at a minimum, you will want to conduct some basic trademark research of your own to ensure that you’re not infringing on someone else’s trademark.

Why are trademarks important for Amazon sellers?

One of the many benefits of acquiring a trademark is that it allows you to put several products into Brand Registry using just ONE registered trademark. In addition to that there are a few extra perks:

  • Better protection for your brand
  • The ability to list without a GTIN (discussed later)
  • Access to powerful marketing features for sellers like enhanced brand content, and videos

What’s needed to get Amazon Brand Registered:

  • Registered Trademark for your brand
  • Your trademark and brand name on your product packaging
  • A product website

The good news is that if you are just starting out, this is something you can do later on down the line once the sales are flooding in.

How do you check to see if trademarks exist?

Start your search at www.USPTO.gov. This isn’t the most user-friendly site, however, this is where all US trademarks and patents are registered.

Begin by selecting “Search trademark database” as pictured below.

Amazon product branding

Next, select “Basic Word Mark Search (New User)”.

Leave the default settings and enter your brand name in the “Search Term” field. Lastly, select “Submit Query” and bada bing bada boom, any query matches will populate on the next page (fingers crossed, no matches).

Bonus Steps

Aside from checking for trademarks, I would also recommend that you purchase the .com domain. If it’s not available then that’s a strong indication that someone has plans for that name and you may just want to stay away. You can use any number of sites to purchase your domain, I’ve just always used www.godaddy.com.

Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to check for social media handle availability by using the following sites:

Branding Amazon Products: Packaging

It’s important to ensure you have all of the right information on your packaging so your inventory does not get stopped at customs when you import it, or by Amazon when they receive it in their warehouse.

Unfortunately, there is no good centralized resource for packaging requirements. Probably because they can vary depending on the type of product and country of sale.

Start by looking into the following: 

  • Google “Packaging requirements for [country]”
  • Ask your supplier if they have standardized packaging
  • Ask an inspection company like QIMA.com
  • Look at competing products (especially large brands)
  • Take note: Dangerous/regulated/complex products have a higher chance for requirements

What’s required for packaging?

Amazon does have several packaging requirements in order to store your goods at one of its fulfillment centers. Much of this is for proper inventory tracking and to ensure your products are safe from any possible damage incurred during shipping and handling.

Here’s what’s required on your packaging:

  1. Country of origin
  2. GTIN (UPC or EAN) – for the rest of the retail world, something called a GTIN is required. This is a Global Trade Identification Number. As an Amazon seller, you need to get a GTIN (UPC or EAN) in order to get an FNSKU for your product.
    • 1st Option: Use GS1 (GS1)
    • 2nd Option: Use a Third Party (SpeedyBarcodes.com)
    • 3rd Option: Get A GTIN Exemption (rare)
  3. An FNSKU is an Amazon-specific barcode/identifier, that is only used and recognized in Amazon’s warehouses
  4. Legal warnings or certifications
  5. Product / Brand Name (for Brand Registry)
  6. Potential other certifications or guidelines
  7. Poly bags need a suffocation warning
  8. You need to print your FNSKU on the outer packaging any fabrics need to have no larger than a 1″ x 1″ opening to protect from dust

And here’s what’s nice to have:

When creating your branding and logo design you want to give your customer a good first impression so here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Keep it simple
  • Make it visually appealing
  • Include your contact information
  • Ask for a review if the customer enjoys the product with a product insert

Should I hire a professional for Amazon packaging or DIY?

When it comes to design work it really boils down to your comfort level. There are several tools out there to help you create your branding and one that I like in particular is Canva. Give them a try if you feel you want to go the DIY route.

If you would like to outsource this work then here is a good list to work from:

  1. Jungle Market – Makes it easy for Amazon business owners and freelancers to connect, collaborate, and get work done fast and affordable.
    • Graphics & Design
    • Photography
    • Copy & Translation
    • Video & Animation
    • Digital Marketing
  2. Fiverr – Another place to find freelancers to do design work for you.
  3. Upwork – This would be the next most cost-effective option, there’s a variety of freelancers on this marketplace, the more experienced and talented of which you would likely pay more of a premium for. 
  4. 99designs – More of a high-end option, you submit a brief and lots of designers will complete the work and the one that you like the best gets the payment (starting at around $300).

Well, that’s all for this week. In next weeks blog post I will be sharing everything there is to know about shipping your products from the manufacturer to Amazon’s warehouse. Keep crushing it!

Now, it’s YOUR TURN!

Start selling on Amazon today

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32 comments on “Million Dollar Case Study: Branding Amazon Products (plus Trademarks and Packaging)

  1. It’s a great article you have posted. The method of million-dollar information was useful for me. I understand how important product is in Amazon, and trademarks are also important for Amazon product sellers and business people. Product packaging helps to sell the items in the right way. Very useful content on how to showcase our brand on Amazon. Thanks for sharing the great unique content.

    1. Hi Frank,

      Yes, it is still good. It depends on the category of what you will receive. Check out our post on Amazon Affiliates!

  2. Another informative blog, I need some suggestions from your site, what’s your opinion about amazon affiliate because you have strong knowledge about amazon, looking forward to your response.

  3. Hi Brian,

    Thank you very much for getting back to me, I really appreciate that.

    Just to clarify, newbie here … Basically, the best way to avoid paying multiple trademarks and getting register with the Amazon Brand Registry is to choose generic names for the store/manufacturer and the brand (they can be different), trademark the brand name, submit the paperwork to Amazon, come up with a product name and specify on the packaging XXX product by YYY brand including the logo …

    This way when I lunch the next product, I will come up with a new product name, use the same store/manufacturer and brand names submitting the previously paperwork and obviously specify on the packaging XXX product by YYY brand, including the logo …

    I understand the best way is to register a new brand name for every product, but when starting a business saving money makes a big difference, with time obviously I will fallow the proper path.

    Again, thank you very much for your help.

    Kind regards,
    Sorin

    1. Hi Sorin,

      Yes, correct. As long as the products you launch fall under that same registered brand, that will be fine.

  4. Hello,

    I have a few questions regarding this part, maybe you will be able to address them.

    1. Can the store name and brand name be the same? Also, my company name will be the same.

    2. In regards to the brand name, I want to chouse something more general, the same as my company name as previously mentioned, and trademark it to be able to use it for all of my products, mentioning on the packaging XXX product by YYY brand … this way I will be able to save money as I will not register a trademark for all products, but I don’t know if that will work with Amazon Brand Registry … as I will submit the same paperwork all the time, or not, I’m not sure, that’s why I asking you guys, top professionals.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

    Kind regards,
    Sorin

    1. Hi Sorin,

      1. Your store name and brand name can be different. If you’re going to be selling multiple brands, make your store name something generic. You can always change it.

      2. Yes, you can do that

  5. Hi,
    Thanks for the informative video!!
    Can I have both the GTIN BarCode that I bought and Amazon’s FNSKU both printed on our game ( product packaging). I don’t know if Amazon will take all the 2500 games we are printing and maybe we will have to sell through a warehouse to other sellers and need the GTIN BarCodes to do so.

  6. You guy’s are awesome and do a great job on explaining things.

    My suggestion for your keyboard tray is “Keys-Away”

    Thanks

  7. Hi there! Wanted to ask if there is no problem using barcodes from 3rd party and if there is no requirement to take them from GS1
    Thanks

  8. Do you register on the GS1 for a UPC for each brand (Jungle Snugs, Jungle Stix, etc) or did you just buy 10 under Jungle Creations or Jungle Scout and use one to set up each listing on Amazon?

    To clarify – can you register for a UPC under one company with different brands or do you have to register on the GS1 for each brand?

  9. Copyright things was the coolest in this article, Branex blog suggested to trademark but they didn’t really tell how. But you told and answered every question i had in my mind.

  10. I went to gs1 & received my codes. Now what? How do I get the UPC GTIN number? The website is confusing. Not sure what to pick. Don’t they have to make me a special number for amazon or is it just the company number & I don’t even use the 10 codes?
    How about Jungle Monkey Clamp on Keyboard or variation.

  11. I’m a member of GS1 in the UK. I’m not sure if it works the same in the US but in the UK you pay yearly subscription for a certain amount of numbers. If you use them all up and need to buy more you need to buy another subscription for the next level, but you still pay for the first one as well. Just a suggestion that it might be worth buying a larger amount from the outset if you think you might ever use them.

    As I said, not sure if it’s the same.

  12. Hi guys, really great video.

    I was just wondering, the barcode generated by Amazon is in PDF format, is this usually OK for a supplier to use?

    Thanks a lot!

  13. Thanks for the video explanation. Still a little advanced for me as a novice but worth the time to watch and follow the steps.

    A couple of ideas for the tray if it’s not too late to provide input:

    Perfect Fit Tray
    Layout

  14. Great stuff guys! In a prev job, I managed the process of designing and printing of packaging for a retail product. You did a great job of taking what can be a complex process and condensed it down to easy to understand instructions for newbies.

    As for brand name suggestions, here are a few for your consideration…

    Jungle Drawer
    Jungle Tray
    KeyboTray

      1. Thanks, Dave. I’m actively listing products, however the Advertising tab only shows “early reviewer program” drop down and asks me to apply for the program. I’m thinking my seller account isn’t setup correctly.

  15. Hey guys — can you address the issue of the GTIN exemption? I thought you could ask amazon to grant an exemption from the UPC/EAN requirement if you have a private label product. Maybe walk us through the proces??

    Thanks!

  16. Here are my suggestions:

    Key Paddy
    Key Rest
    Clamp Pad
    Clamp Paddy
    Clamp Station
    Key Station
    Desk Brace
    Brace Pad
    Clamp Frame
    Desk Mount
    Key Mount
    Mount Key
    Mount Board
    Board Mount
    Desk Mount
    Clamp Mount
    Mount Clamp
    Easy Slide
    Slide Easy
    Mount Slide
    Desk Slide
    Key Slide
    Slide Key
    Slide Pad
    Pad Slide
    Desk Pad

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