How to start a TikTok Shop

Turn your ideas into income by selling directly where people scroll, watch, and buy.

TikTok Shop lets you sell products through content – and with Printful, you can source and create merchandise without any inventory. 

This guide walks you through how to start a TikTok Shop, meet the setup requirements, and sell online in 2025.

Why start a TikTok Shop?

TikTok isn’t just for viral trends – it’s one of the fastest-growing eCommerce platforms in the world. With over 1.5 billion monthly active users, TikTok Shop gives you the traffic and tools to turn short videos into sales by selling directly through the app, right in TikTok users’ feeds.

Here’s why it works:

• High visibility. TikTok’s algorithm is built for discovery. You don’t need followers to get seen – just good content. That makes it a powerful tool for reaching new customers.

• Built-in shopping features. Shoppable videos, the shop tab, live shopping ads, and product tags all create seamless buying experiences inside the app.

• It rewards authenticity. TikTok Shop is ideal for creators who want to build trust and community rather than just post polished ads, giving more room to establish a brand.

• It’s already delivering results. TikTok Shop saw a massive sales spike from $1 billion to $33 billion between 2021 and 2024, and it’s continuing to expand in new markets.

And here’s your opportunity – pair TikTok Shop with a print-on-demand (POD) service like Printful to skip inventory and upfront investment. Pick from quality products, create and apply your own designs, sync the merchandise to your storefront, and start selling through your TikTok videos.

You make the content. Printful handles the rest – printing, packing, and shipping – so you can focus on growing your audience and building your brand through engaging videos.

TikTok Shop requirements

Before you can start selling, TikTok Shop has a few specific requirements you’ll need to meet. These cover eligibility, account and sales channel setup, and seller types.

Eligibility

To open a shop, you must:

• Be 18 years or older

• Live in an eligible country (availability varies – check the TikTok Seller Center for the latest list)

• Have a valid TikTok account

• Provide either:

• A registered business license for companies

• A government-issued ID for individuals

• Add a bank account in your name (or your company’s name) to receive payouts

• Enter a valid street address and return address for deliveries and returns

When applying, you will need to verify your information by uploading these documents. You’ll also need to choose an account name that matches your legal business or personal identity.

Types of sellers

TikTok Shop supports several seller categories, each with its own specific requirements:

• Individual sellers. Upload a valid ID, proof of address, and link a bank account.

• Business account holders. Provide a registered business license, tax documents, and company bank name details.

• Creators and affiliates. Join the affiliate program to promote products and earn commissions without managing inventory.

• Brands. Larger companies that submit official documentation to protect intellectual property.

No matter your business type, manage everything in the TikTok Seller Center, the platform’s central dashboard. That’s where you’ll upload products, track orders, and monitor your sales.

Sales channel integration

TikTok Shop isn’t a standalone storefront. To sell, you’ll need to connect it to a sales channel that keeps your catalog, orders, and payments in sync.

The easiest way to begin is with Printful’s TikTok Shop integration. Create products, list them in your eCommerce shop, sell through TikTok, and let us handle fulfillment automatically – no inventory or extra setup needed.

Fees and commissions

TikTok Shop charges a referral fee on each purchase. In 2025, the fee is 6% per order for most products. Rates vary by business type and region. Extra costs may apply if you run shop ads or live shopping ads to promote products.

How to start a TikTok Shop (step by step)

Opening your shop takes just a few steps. Once your documents are approved, you can upload products and begin selling right away.

Step 1: Register for a TikTok Shop Seller Account

Head to the TikTok Seller Center and sign up. Choose between registering as an individual or a company.

To complete the process, you’ll need to:

• Enter your account name

• Upload your ID or business license

• Add your bank account and bank name for payouts

• Verify your identity by uploading supporting documents

Once approved, you’ll have full access to your seller dashboard.

Step 2: Set up your shop profile

Next, customize the look of your storefront. This is where buyers see your account name, logo, and contact details.

You’ll also need to:

• Add a return address and street address for shipping

• Fill in your company or personal details, depending on your business type

• Complete the setup checklist inside the app

A clear profile builds trust with shoppers from the start.

Step 3: Add products

Once your shop profile is approved, it’s time to list items. Upload product images, descriptions, and pricing into your product catalog.

Pro tip: Use TikTok’s built-in product fields to highlight size, color, or other variations so customers can easily purchase the right item. Keep descriptions short, clear, and keyword-friendly.

Managing inventory is crucial here. If you’re selling with Printful, you can sync your custom products for a hassle-free experience. When someone places an order, we’ll handle production and fulfillment automatically.

Step 4: Connect your sales channel

Go to Sales channel integration in the TikTok Seller Center. From here, choose the setup that fits your business:

• Already have a store? Select your platform (like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce) and follow the prompts to sync your product catalog and inventory.

• Want an easy fulfillment solution? Choose Printful. Our direct TikTok Shop integration means you don’t need to manage products manually. Here’s all you need to do:

1. Create products in Printful’s Design Maker

2. Publish them through our TikTok Shop integration

3. Let Printful fulfill every purchase

For new sellers, Printful is the simplest and most effective option for exploring how to start selling on TikTok Shop. No need to supply products or hold inventory.

Step 5: Integrate TikTok Shop with your content

Your TikTok Shop is only as strong as the content that drives people to it. TikTok rewards authenticity, so your goal is to weave products into videos in a way that feels natural.

Here’s how:

• Tag products in your videos so viewers can tap and buy instantly.

• Tell stories, not ads – show how your product solves a problem, fits into daily life, or connects to a trend.

• Use built-in shopping features like shoppable videos, the shop tab on your profile, and live shopping events.

• Leverage trends by pairing your product with popular sounds, effects, or hashtags – adapt formats to fit your brand voice.

• Collaborate with creators and affiliates to expand reach through TikTok’s affiliate program.

• Post consistently to test what resonates and keep your shop visible in feeds.

Pro tip: With Printful, you can test ideas fast, since items are made on demand. Launch new products to see what works and what’s lacking in the current TikTok ecosystem. Trends move fast, and so should your designs.

Step 6: Launch a TikTok Shop campaign

It’s time to scale your reach. TikTok Shop campaigns let you promote strategically to turn organic engagement into consistent sales.

Here’s how to get started:

• Run shop ads to boost your products directly in the For You feed, reaching TikTok users beyond your followers.

• Experiment with live shopping ads to push your live streams to more viewers while you demo products in real time.

• Promote content that already works – take your best-performing videos and boost them with an ad budget. TikTok ads feel most authentic when they’re based on organic posts.

• Use the affiliate program to partner with creators who can showcase your products to their audiences. Even micro-influencers can drive significant conversions.

• Target potential customers with TikTok’s audience tools, testing different segments to see what brings the highest ROI.

Pro tip: Maximize your sales by identifying the best times to post on TikTok and learning how to promote products on TikTok.

Tips to successfully start and run a TikTok Shop

Make content that feels real

TikTok rewards authenticity. Create short clips that show your brand personality. Incorporate your product in everyday scenarios, walk viewers through your creative process, or highlight customer testimonials. The more your content feels natural, the more likely people are to watch and buy.

Experiment continuously

The algorithm thrives on variety. Test different hooks, video lengths, and posting times. Try product tutorials, trend-based memes, or lifestyle storytelling. Review analytics often to see which videos bring in clicks and sales, then double down on what works.

Rotate your product lineup

Shoppers get excited by newness. Seasonal launches, limited-time collections, and trend-inspired designs keep your catalog relevant. With Printful, you can add new products without investing in inventory, making it easy to test demand. If a design takes off, scale it.

Pro tip: Discover what to sell on TikTok Shop.

Work with the right partners

TikTok’s affiliate program lets creators promote your products for a commission. Even small influencers can drive strong results if their audience matches your niche.

Your sales channel platform also impacts your selling journey. For example, Shopify or WooCommerce offer advanced tools. If you’re starting fresh, Printful’s TikTok Shop integration is the best option – products go live fast, and fulfillment is handled automatically.

Sell on TikTok with Printful

Ready to start selling on TikTok? Create products in minutes with Printful and reach millions of shoppers. Start selling on TikTok with no upfront costs, no inventory, and no hassle.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Register for free with Printful

2. Pick a product from our Catalog

3. Add your design with our easy-to-use tools

4. Integrate with TikTok Shop
   

5. Start selling while we print, pack, and ship every order

Conclusion

TikTok Shop gives entrepreneurs and creators a powerful way to reach customers where they already spend their time. Success depends on more than uploading products – it comes from creative content, smart partnerships, and delivering a seamless shopping experience.

Printful makes the journey easier. With our direct TikTok integration, you can design products, add them instantly, and let us handle fulfillment. That means no extra complexity – just more time to grow your audience and brand.