Selling Dall-E AI art on Etsy: How I Used AI image generator to Kickstart My Art Business (2023)

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The results of using the AI image generator to kickstart my art business have been fantastic. In just a few short weeks, I’ve managed to create a whole new body of work that is selling like hotcakes. I’m not sure what I would have done without it!

This amazing technology can generate art from scratch using just a few inputs from me. With this new tool in my arsenal, I was able to kickstart my art business and create stunning pieces without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you how AI image generators helped me get started with my own art business and why you should consider using them too!

What is AI image generation?

In recent years, AI image generation has become a hot topic in the world of art and design. By using artificial intelligence algorithms, artists and designers can create realistic or stylized images that would otherwise be impossible to create by hand.

There are a number of different ways to generate images with AI, but one of the most popular methods is called DALL·E.

For those unfamiliar with DALL-E, it is a powerful AI tool that is able to generate original images from textual descriptions. For example, you can input the description “a two-story pink house with a white fence and a red door,” and DALL-E will generate an image of exactly that. As someone who often struggles with writer’s block and artistic inspiration, I immediately saw the potential for DALL-E to revolutionize my art business.

Selling Dall-E AI art on Etsy: How I Used AI image generator to Kickstart My Art Business (1)

Is it possible to sell DALL-E-generated images on Etsy?

Etsy allows the sale of a wide range of handmade, vintage, and creative goods, and it is up to the seller to ensure that their items meet the platform’s guidelines. According to Etsy’s guidelines, “digital art” is allowed as long as it meets the following criteria:

  • The digital file must be delivered to the buyer upon purchase
  • The seller must have the rights to sell the digital file
  • The digital file must be created by the seller or have been significantly modified by the seller

Given these guidelines, it is possible to sell DALL-E-generated images on Etsy as long as you meet the above criteria. However, it’s important to note that you will need to have the rights to sell the images and be able to deliver the digital file to the buyer upon purchase. Additionally, you will need to ensure that your listings and descriptions clearly state that the images were generated using DALL-E and provide information on how the images were modified or transformed into finished artworks.

Started AI Art image collection

I started by coming up with a list of descriptions for the type of art I wanted to create. These ranged from simple and straightforward, like “a colourful abstract painting,” to more complex and specific, like “a surreal landscape featuring a giant tree with a house built into the trunk and a river running through the branches.” I was amazed by the diversity of images that DALL-E was able to produce, and I spent hours scrolling through the generated images, saving my favourites to use as the basis for my art.

With a collection of inspiring images in hand, I set to work on creating my art. I used a combination of traditional media, like paints and markers, and digital tools like Photoshop to turn the generated images into finished pieces. The process was both challenging and rewarding, as I had to use my artistic skills and vision to bring the generated images to life.

Generate original images using DALL-E

With a good understanding of how DALL-E works, you can start using it to generate original images based on your own descriptions. You can use DALL-E to create a wide range of images, including drawings, paintings, and digital art.

To generate images with DALL-E, simply input a textual description and specify the size and format you want the image to be in. DALL-E will then generate a selection of images for you to choose from. You can use these generated images as the basis for your art, or as inspiration for new ideas.

Started selling my art on Etsy

Once I had a collection of finished pieces, I was ready to start selling my art on Etsy. Setting up a shop on the platform was straightforward and easy, and I was able to create listings for my art, set prices, and handle orders and shipping with minimal effort.

To promote my shop and increase sales, I focused on creating high-quality product photos, writing detailed and informative product descriptions, and engaging with potential customers through social media and other online channels. I also offered custom art commissions, which allowed me to work with clients to create one-of-a-kind pieces based on their specific requests and ideas.

The combination of DALL-E’s image generation capabilities and Etsy’s user-friendly platform has been a winning combination for my art business. I’ve been able to consistently create and list new items, and I’ve seen a steady stream of sales and positive feedback from happy customers.

Promote your Etsy shop and increase sales

To earn a consistent income from your art business, you’ll need to consistently create and list new items and promote your shop. There are a number of ways you can do this, including:

  • Offering custom art commissions: This allows you to work with clients to create one-of-a-kind pieces based on their specific requests and ideas.
  • Utilizing social media and other online platforms: By actively promoting your shop on social media and other online platforms, you can reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your Etsy shop.
  • Participating in Etsy’s promoted listings program: This program allows you to pay to have your listings appear at the top of relevant search results and category pages.

Conclusion on Selling AI art on Etsy

AI image generation technology has changed the way I look at art. After taking advantage of its capabilities, it showed me a whole new approach to creating custom artwork and gave me the confidence to launch my own business. As I continue growing as an artist, AI will be there every step of the way helping me create more vibrant and captivating visuals that can resonate with people from all walks of life. With this newfound power in my hands, it’s only up from here!

By following these steps and consistently creating and promoting your art, you can successfully start a business selling AI art generated from DALL-E on Etsy. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a newcomer to the world of art and commerce, DALL-E and Etsy provide a powerful and accessible platform for creating and selling original

Overall, using DALL-E to create and sell art on Etsy has been a hugely rewarding and fulfilling experience. Not only has it allowed me to tap into a seemingly endless source of artistic inspiration, but it has also helped me to build a successful and sustainable business doing what I love. If you’re an artist looking to kickstart your art business or just in need of some creative inspiration, I highly recommend giving DALL-E a try.

FAQs

Can you sell DALL-E images on Etsy? ›

Can I Sell Art Made with DALL-E? Yes! All users get full usage rights to commercialize the images they create with DALL-E, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise.

Are you allowed to sell AI-generated art on Etsy? ›

Yes, you can sell AI digital art on Etsy. Etsy doesn't ban selling AI art on its platform and has recently updated its policies to allow the sale of AI artwork. However, Etsy requires that all items must be “made and/or designed by you, the seller.”

Is selling AI art on Etsy worth it? ›

Conclusion. Selling AI art on Etsy is a great way to make money and showcase your creative work, even if it is created by AI. However, it's important to understand the policies and regulations (and especially the copyright of AI art) that come with selling this type of artwork on the platform.

Can you use AI-generated art for profit? ›

Print-on-demand products made from your AI art are one of the most lucrative ways to make money. You should simply transfer your plans to sites like TeeSpring and RedBubble. Your artwork will be printed on a variety of products from mugs and t-shirts to posters and notebooks by these websites.

Can I use Dall-E images commercially for free? ›

DALL-E 2 users are allowed to use generated images for commercial purposes like printing, selling or licensing.

Do you need a license to sell digital art on Etsy? ›

Etsy's seller policies do not require you to have a business license to sell on their platform.

Can I legally use AI-generated art? ›

US Copyright Office: AI Generated Works Are Not Eligible for Copyright.

Do I need a business license to sell art on Etsy? ›

Etsy doesn't require sellers to have a business license to sell products via its platform. However, the state, county, and local municipality where you've formed your business may require you to hold licenses and permits to operate your company legally.

Can you legally sell AI generated images? ›

Generally, you can sell AI-generated art as long as the generator license agreement permits commercial use. Read the terms and conditions carefully. Be aware of copyright restrictions of any input images. Some EULAs indicate that produced artwork may belong to the tool, the user, or the public domain.

What digital art sells the most on Etsy? ›

Printable wall art

Wall art is one of the most popular products sold on Etsy. If you're a talented artist or designer, you can create digital versions of your artwork and sell it as wall art for people to print themselves at home.

Is it hard to sell digital art on Etsy? ›

Although no special skills are required to list a digital download on Etsy, a good working knowledge of design programs like Adobe Illustrator will make creating files easier. Remember that a big part of running a business on Etsy is learning and adapting your shop over time.

Can I sell digital art made with AI? ›

Yes, in most cases, it is okay to sell artwork created by AI image generators like Midjourney. Many artists and freelancers make money selling their AI art on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Fiverr. But keep in mind there are guidelines, legal, and ethical issues that you should take into consideration.

Can you sell AI generated images as Nfts? ›

Yes. As AI art becomes common, users want to generate NFT (non-fungible tokens) artwork and allow creators to sell their art in digital format.

How much is AI-generated art worth? ›

The most expensive piece of AI art is the portrait called “Edmond de Belamy” sold for staggering USD 432,000 at Christie's auction house in New York City. Last fall, an AI-generated portrait rocked the art world selling for a staggering US$432,500 at Christie's auction house in New York.

Can I use DALL-E for my business? ›

The powerful artificial intelligence model, Dall-E 2, has numerous applications. These include commercial use for businesses and content creators.

Does DALL-E violate copyright? ›

Dall-E does in fact grant you full copyright ownership over all of the art and prompts you input into the program.

Is there copyright on DALL-E images? ›

Subject to the Content Policy and Terms, you own the images you create with DALL·E, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise – regardless of whether an image was generated through a free or paid credit.

Do I need a LLC to sell on Etsy? ›

If you're based in the US, you can either operate your Etsy shop as an unincorporated entity — a sole proprietorship or a general partnership — or you can incorporate and form a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are the two simplest options.

How do I sell digital art legally? ›

To sell your art online, you will need to have your own website or an eCommerce store like Sellfy. Sellfy is an easy-to-use eCommerce platform for creators and artists looking to start an online busines. You can sell anything with Sellfy (not just art!)

How to start a digital art business on Etsy? ›

Okay, let's get into the steps...
  1. STEP 1: Decide what theme/style designs you'll be selling. ...
  2. STEP 2: Find your design assets. ...
  3. STEP 3: Start designing. ...
  4. STEP 4: Save your files. ...
  5. STEP 5: Create your mockups. ...
  6. STEP 6: Upload to Etsy.
Apr 13, 2021

Can I use AI-generated art for commercial use? ›

When you generate images using Picsart's suite of generative AI tools, the resulting AI-generated images are made available to you for commercial purposes. However, please be aware that there are limitations that come along with using generative AI.

Do I need a tax ID number to sell on Etsy? ›

An EIN is required if your business is registered as an LLC or partnership for reporting taxes to the IRS. If you're operating as a sole proprietorship, which the majority of Etsy owners are, you don't need an EIN.

What do I need to know before selling my art on Etsy? ›

  • Stand Out From the Crowd. Trying to differentiate your offerings may seem like a no-brainer, but it's one of the most important aspects of running a successful art business. ...
  • Vary Price Points. ...
  • Showcase Your Art. ...
  • Leverage Tags and Keywords. ...
  • Be Descriptive. ...
  • Handle With Care. ...
  • Clearly State Policies. ...
  • Personalize Customer Service.

What sells best on Etsy? ›

Top 10 Best Selling Items on Etsy
  1. Handmade Jewelry. ...
  2. Vintage Clothing. ...
  3. Handmade Home Décor. ...
  4. Art Prints. ...
  5. Craft Supplies. ...
  6. Handmade Accessories. ...
  7. Handmade Bags & Purses. ...
  8. Personalized Gifts.
Jan 25, 2023

Can AI generated images be considered art? ›

AI-Generated Artworks Are an Evolution of Art and Society

Additionally, the works of art that AI generators produce come from millions of data sources, old and new. Even if your results only combine a few pre-existing images or styles, they are a blend of art history.

What type of art sells best 2023? ›

2023 Art Trends - Canvas Prints
  • Art Deco.
  • Barbiecore.
  • Dark Academia.
  • Japandi.
  • Mysticism.
  • Soothing Pastels.
  • Action Shot Photography.
  • Monochromatic Photography.

What type of art makes the most money? ›

9 Highest Paying Art Careers
  • #1 Art Director. Median Salary: $94,220. ...
  • #2 Producer & Director. Median Salary: $74,420. ...
  • #3 Landscape Architect. Median Salary: $69,360. ...
  • #4 Video Editor. Median Salary: $63,780. ...
  • #5 Graphic Designer. Median Salary: $52,110. ...
  • #6 Drafter. Median Salary: $56,830. ...
  • #7 Art Curator. ...
  • #8 Interior Designer.

How much does the average Etsy artist make? ›

How Much Does The Average Etsy Seller Make? The average successful seller on Etsy earns between $43,000 and $46,000 per year which is a fantastic foundation to build on as top earners make over $65,000 per month!

What size art prints sell best on Etsy? ›

Here's what Etsy sellers had to say. One artist said that because she sells mainly in the United States, the most popular sizes for her digital wall art prints are 5” x 7”, 8” x 10”, 11” x 14”, and 16” x 20”. Another artist in the same thread said 11” x 14” and 16” x 20” are by far her most popular sellers.

What kind of prints sell well on Etsy? ›

Top Selling Prints
  • CoW PRiNT of Original Painting ' RoCKY' by Shirley MacArthur, Cow Art, Cow Gifts, Top Selling Items, Nursery,Inspirational Gift Ideas, Kids. ...
  • Original Animal Art | Unique Digital Art | Fantasy Animal Print | Futuristic Fox Print | Animal Lovers Gift | Top Selling Prints | Home Art.

What format should digital art be in for Etsy? ›

PDFs and JPG will be the most accessible file types that people will be able to open without any special art software such as Adobe Creative Cloud. While Etsy may accept more file types, including GIF, PNG, or TXT, not every file type is printable.

What is the best app to sell art? ›

Artsy is the largest online art marketplace with more than 1 million artworks by over 100,000 artists. Collect art from galleries around the world, bid in live auctions from wherever you are, and sell works from your collection.

How much should I sell my digital art for? ›

Don't know where to start at all when it comes to pricing? For a quick baseline, take the minimum hourly wage of where you live and multiply it by the time you spent creating your sample. Since many of us have experienced working for an hourly wage, this can help contextualize the amount in your brain.

Is Dall-E Mini images copyrighted? ›

Subject to the Content Policy and Terms, you own the images you create with DALL·E, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise – regardless of whether an image was generated through a free or paid credit.

Can you use Dall-E for business? ›

If you're a business owner or professional with an interest in AI, you might be wondering: Can I use Dall-E 2 for commercial use? The powerful artificial intelligence model, Dall-E 2, has numerous applications. These include commercial use for businesses and content creators.

Can I use Dall-E images on my blog? ›

With the help of Zapier's integrations with DALL·E and Airtable, users can quickly generate unique and high-quality images for their blog articles by simply entering a description of the desired image.

What can you do with Dall-E images? ›

Dall-E is a generative AI technology that enables users to create new images with text to graphics prompts. Functionally, Dall-E is a neural network and is able to generate entirely new images in any number of different styles as specified by the user's prompts.

Can I use AI generated images without copyright? ›

At the moment, works created solely by artificial intelligence — even if produced from a text prompt written by a human — are not protected by copyright. When it comes to training AI models, however, the use of copyrighted materials is fair game.

Can I copyright AI generated images? ›

US Copyright Office: AI Generated Works Are Not Eligible for Copyright.

Does Dall-E violate copyright? ›

Dall-E does in fact grant you full copyright ownership over all of the art and prompts you input into the program.

Can I use AI art commercially? ›

Yes. AI-generated images are free for commercial use. AI art does not have automatic copyright protection, and ownership can not be claimed. This means that anyone can use AI art that is found online for any purpose.

Can I sell AI-generated art? ›

Yes, you can sell your AI-generated art. You will need to ensure that the artwork is unique and of high quality to attract buyers. Additionally, it is important to understand copyright laws and other legal considerations when selling digital products online.

What is not allowed on DALL-E? ›

Do not upload images of people without their consent. Do not upload images to which you do not hold appropriate usage rights. Do not create images of public figures.

Who owns copyright of AI generated images? ›

AI art cannot be copyrighted. The question of who owns art created by AI is a complex and controversial issue. While AI is responsible for generating the artwork, it is ultimately the human creators who programmed and trained the AI algorithms.

Which image generator is better than DALL-E? ›

Best AI image generator overall

Bing's Image Creator is powered by a more advanced version of the DALL-E, and produces the same (if not higher) quality results just as quickly. Like DALL-E, it is free to use. All you need to do to access the image generator is visit the website and sign in with a Microsoft account.

How much does DALL-E cost per image? ›

DALL·E 2's pricing is super simple. Each text prompt generates a set of four images and costs one credit. Credits cost $15 for 115, so that's ~$0.13/prompt or ~$0.0325/image. Each round of outpainting or inpainting also generates four options and costs one credit.

Can anybody use DALL-E? ›

In September 2022, DALL-E 2 officially closed its waiting list and opened the platform to the public. Users start with 50 free credits to transform searches into fully generated artwork and 15 free credits every month from then on. The site also allows you to buy more credits.

Can I use a DALL-E image as an album cover? ›

I ended up making some really cool looking art with Dall-E, concluding that yes, you can make awesome album cover art with an AI that could actually work for a real-world client project.

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