For a small t-shirt brand, a marketplace such as eMAG offers something an own online shop struggles to get at the start: traffic. Customers are already searching for men's cotton t-shirt or oversized tee, and the platform shows them products. In exchange, the platform sets the rules: commission, listing standards, delivery times and a returns policy you must follow. Sellers who arrive unprepared soon find they sell a lot and earn little.
Before listing: company, codes and documents
To sell as a marketplace partner you need a registered company and compliant invoicing, including Romania's e-Factura system where it applies. Check the right tax setup for your expected volume with your accountant. On the product side, prepare:
- EAN codes for every colour and size combination; many platforms require them, and official codes are issued by the GS1 organisation;
- a composition and care label that complies with EU Regulation 1007/2011 and matches the composition stated in the listing;
- the manufacturer's or importer's identification details, required under the product safety rules (GPSR);
- a size chart in centimetres, measured on the actual product.
A listing that sells
On a marketplace the customer cannot touch the tee. The listing has to answer every question before they ask it:
- a title using the terms people search for: product type, gender, fabric, colour, fit;
- photos on a white background, as the platform requires, plus on-body shots and a close-up of the fabric;
- the exact composition and weight, for example 180 g/m²; careful shoppers look for this;
- garment measurements by size, not just S, M, L;
- care instructions and, for printed tees, advice to wash them inside out.
Fill in every attribute the platform asks for, even the optional ones. Search filters rely on these attributes, and a product with no fabric or colour attribute disappears when the customer filters.
Pricing on a marketplace
Your marketplace price should be calculated separately from your own-shop price. Add the platform's commission, delivery cost, any fulfilment or storage fees and a returns reserve to the cost of the tee. Commission and fees change, so check them in your current contract. A hypothetical example: if your tee costs €9 delivered and the platform keeps a share of the price, a selling price close to your own-shop price can leave a much thinner margin. Do the sum for every product before you list it.
Returns and reviews
On a marketplace, bad reviews and returns hurt your visibility. The most common reasons for returning a tee are the wrong size, a colour different from the photo, and fabric thinner than expected. All three fall with an honest listing:
- an accurate size chart and a recommendation such as regular fit, choose your usual size;
- photos in natural light, without filters that shift the colour;
- the declared fabric weight and a close-up photo of the fabric.
Answer customer questions on the listing; they help later buyers too.
Stock and delivery
Marketplaces penalise orders cancelled for lack of stock. Synchronise stock between your own shop and the platform, or allocate a separate stock. For products with steady sales, such as core colours, always keep a reserve in the best-selling sizes.
A basic tee that suits marketplaces
On a marketplace, basic tees in a neutral colour have the steadiest demand. For a product like that we would use our 180 g grey melange single jersey in combed cotton, elastane and polyester: you can state the 180 g/m² weight with confidence in the listing, the melange hides small signs of wear, and the polyester and elastane reduce distortion after washing, and with it the risk of negative reviews. For a wider colour range, see our single jersey family.
The grey melange jersey is a permanent stock item in Afumați, sold by the roll with no minimum order, so you can restock often and avoid running out. Ask for the stock list or a price per kg.
The figures in the examples are hypothetical and only illustrate the calculation. They are not Alteks Tricot prices: we quote the price per kg of each article on request, usually the same working day. Ask for a quote
Frequently asked questions
Do I need EAN codes to sell t-shirts on eMAG?
Many categories require a unique product code for each colour and size variant. Official EAN codes are issued through GS1. Check the platform's current requirements for the clothing category before preparing labels and packaging.
Can I sell the same tee on my own site and on a marketplace?
Yes, many sellers do. Price it separately, because you pay commission on the marketplace, and keep stock synchronised so you never sell the same piece twice and have to cancel orders.
How do I cut returns for wrong size?
Publish the tee's real measurements for every size, explain the fit and recommend clearly which size to choose. Answer questions on the listing and update the chart if you notice a pattern in return reasons.
