Can You Sell AI-Generated Art?
The answer is yes. The End 😅
Well now that you’re here, I suppose you want to know how to sell AI-generated artwork as well?
Selling AI-generated images is just one of the many ways we can leverage AI tech to make money online, and there are a bunch of different ways to do so.
In this article, I’ve outlined the legalities of selling AI art, as well as 6 ways you can actually sell your AI-generated art.
Can You Sell AI-Generated Art?
Absolutely.
Many artists and freelancers are successfully selling their AI art on various platforms such as Etsy, Redbubble, and Fiverr. But remember, there are still legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind.
While AI images can be sold, the ownership rights and copyright protection of AI-generated art are not well-defined. The US Copyright Office currently does not grant copyright protection to AI-generated art. This means that theoretically, anyone can use your AI art without legal consequences.
When selling AI-generated art, it is important to understand the licensing terms under which your AI images were generated. Some platforms like Jasper Art provide commercial licenses to their paid subscribers, allowing them to sell the AI art they create.
Generally, free trial accounts or certain AI models may restrict commercial usage. It’s important to review the licensing terms of the specific AI image generator you are using to ensure compliance.
Overall, selling AI-generated art is an emerging field within the art world. As the technology and legal frameworks continue to evolve, it is essential to stay informed about any changes and seek legal advice if necessary.
As these tools move into the mainstream the legal implications will become much clearer. For example, AI image generators like Adobe Firefly have guaranteed indemnity to customers using their AI-generated artwork.
If you’re still here you might want to know the best way to get started selling AI art. Well, here are 6 methods you can use to start selling AI art right away!
- 1. Sell AI-Generated Art on Stock Image Sites
- 2. Sell Your AI Art Prompts
- 3. AI-Generated Art Freelancing
- 4. Sell AI-Generated Stories
- 5. AI Art NFT Project
- 6. AI-Generated Art for Print-on-Demand
1. Sell AI-Generated Art on Stock Image Sites
Selling your AI-generated art on stock image sites is probably the easiest way to get going, but likely yields the least profit (unless your images are absolutely breathtaking).
Sites like Adobe Stock, and iStock allow AI images to be uploaded and sold. Both Shutterstock and Getty previously accepted AI-generated images but have recently changed this due to possible legal implications.
The competition on stock image sites is fierce. Every man and his dog is having a go at AI-generated art so make sure your AI creations are unique and of the highest quality.
Another good practice you can use to boost sales if your AI art is to keep up with trends. For example, with a US presidential election coming up, people might be interested in caricature-type images of the candidates.
As you grow and build a nice portfolio you should start seeing some sales come in, but I wouldn’t expect to retire on the profits selling AI-generated art in this way.
2. Sell Your AI Art Prompts
Selling AI art is one thing, but selling the prompts you used to create the art is another.
There are a number of websites now like Prompt Base, FlowGPT, and Prompt Hero that allow you to upload your best prompts with a small collection of showcase images for sale.
This is a super easy way to start making some money with AI art, and it’s one of my personal favorite methods. A good collection of images can continue to generate revenue long after you spend time crafting the prompt for the AI art.
Again, you want to grow your portfolio as this will help boost sales. Some of the prompt marketplaces now offer ‘package’ deals too. This allows you to package up a range of different prompts into a single product, which is a great idea.
Some of the top sellers have generated thousands of sales, and at a few dollars per sale, that’s a great source of money for creating AI-generated art!
3. AI-Generated Art Freelancing
Websites like Fiverr and Upwork have their own unique categories for AI-generated images nowadays, and there are a few different ways AI freelancers are leveraging this to sell AI-generated art.
The simplest way to get started is to showcase your best images and simply offer to sell AI-generated art directly to the customer. Like always, the competition is fierce so make sure you really have your images at a high standard before attempting this gig.
You might even consider niching down your services. For example, you could offer product-style images for people looking to market a specific product, book cover designs, model photography, or even NSFW anime girls! Similar to selling prompts directly, try and find a creative application that people would love!
Another approach is model training. This one’s a bit advanced and requires a good understanding of Stable Diffusion – but it’s nothing you can’t figure out with a few YouTube videos. Model training is where you use a sample set of images to train a model to produce similar images. For example, if you had 20 images of a certain style of anime design, you could use those to create a bunch more AI-generated art pieces that look very similar!
I don’t know why, but anime is really popular in the AI-generated art space, so keep that in mind when thinking about products to offer.
4. Sell AI-Generated Stories
This one leverages a combination of AI-generated art and generative AI language tools like ChatGPT.
The basic concept is to generate a kids’ story with ChatGPT, illustrate the story with AI-generated art, and then list the stories for sale on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
There are a few good YouTube videos on how to do this, and the hardest part is actually setting up Amazon KDP, but once that’s done you can start churning them out.
Another super easy way to sell AI-generated art with Amazon KDP is by creating attractive book covers. Things like diaries and notepads with appeal covers are super popular on Amazon so you could give these a try too.
If you take a look on Amazon, some of these stories and books have sold thousands of copies. At a few dollars per sale, it’s a great way to sell your AI-generated art online.
5. Create an AI Art NFT Project
I’ve previously written a full how-to article on this so I won’t go too deep into it here. But as you might have guessed the idea is to use AI-generated artwork to create an NFT project.
If you didn’t know already, some NFT projects are worth hundreds of millions of dollars, so as far as selling AI art goes this approach can potentially be one of the most lucrative.
While the popularity of NFTs has died off a little bit in conjunction with the price of Bitcoin, as the bull market returns it’s likely the popularity of NFTs will start to gain traction again too. Just do a Google search on companies that have quietly been adopting NFTs if you need further proof that they’re not going anywhere.
Anyway, features like Midjourney permutation prompts allow you to rapidly generate AI art and if you get your prompt right as well as your marketing, you could see real success by using AI-generated artwork for an NFT project.
6. AI-Generated Art for Print-on-Demand
If you’re still asking ‘Can you sell AI-generated art?’ well, here’s another simple option to get some money coming in.
I’m not going to lie, print on demand is pretty saturated and it seems like it gained so much popularity that it’s become harder and harder to make any kind of real money with it.
So here’s the trick: Print on demand for trending topics.
Spend some time using Google Trends and Exploding Topics, and even social media to keep an eye on what is trending and what events are coming up.
If you find the right trend, create your AI-generated images and get them on a shirt or a coffee cup and run an advertising campaign!
Again, this one can get tricky, especially with the ads but, there is still real money to be made with print-on-demand and AI artwork!
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Can you sell AI-generated art?” is a definite yes.
While there are legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind, many artists and freelancers are successfully selling their AI art on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Fiverr. Additionally, stock image sites, freelance platforms, personal websites, and print-on-demand services offer opportunities to monetize AI-generated artwork.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, most of the art world is embracing this new form of creativity. You can leverage AI-generated art to tap into various marketplaces.
By understanding the licensing terms, creating unique and trending pieces, and exploring different avenues such as selling image files, merchandise, art prompts, or even diving into NFT projects, you can showcase your AI art to a broader audience and potentially generate revenue from your own creations.
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FAQs
Can I sell AI-generated art on multiple platforms?
Yes, you can sell AI art on multiple platforms to reach a wider audience and increase your chances of sales. Platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Fiverr are popular choices for selling AI-generated images and digital art.
How can I attract art enthusiasts to buy my AI-generated art?
To attract art enthusiasts, focus on creating unique and visually appealing AI-generated content. Experiment with different styles, themes, and techniques to showcase your artistic versatility and stand out in the market.
How should I price my AI-generated artwork?
Pricing AI-generated artwork can be subjective. Consider factors such as the time and effort invested in the creation process, the uniqueness of the art, and the demand for similar pieces in the market. Research similar AI art listings or consult with other AI artists to get an idea of appropriate pricing ranges.
What should I include in my product descriptions when selling AI art?
In your product descriptions, provide details about the AI-generated content, such as the techniques and tools used, the concept or inspiration behind the artwork, and any special features or customization options available. Be transparent about the AI involvement in the creation process to set appropriate expectations for potential buyers.
Can I sell AI-generated art in physical formats like prints or canvases?
Yes, you can sell AI-generated art in physical formats like prints, canvases, or merchandise. Print-on-demand services and platforms like Redbubble offer options to print AI art on various products, allowing you to cater to different preferences and expand your customer base.
