How To Sell AI Art and Make Money Using Your Creativity

AI art doesn’t need to be solely digital. It can be used to make beautiful physical art prints to sell t-shirts, mugs, etc., and to decorate spaces and enhance the ambiance.

In fact, it can even be a fun, lucrative business if you’re into selling art prints online. The key is to create AI artworks that will help complement spaces by oozing out positive energy. This can sometimes be hard when making art with the assistance of AI, which is why we curated a set of recipes to help you render wonderful AI imagery that you can print out, frame, & sell art prints as a side hustle- but hey it can also quickly turn into your main hustle if you work hard enough ;)

But where and how do you create AI art in the first place? 

starryai can help you create stunning AI art effortlessly, allowing you to focus on finding concepts, marketing, and selling your artwork.

Our AI tool lets you experiment with diverse styles, from modern oil paintings to sketches and abstract designs.

Try starryai for free, and let our AI art generator paint your imagination!

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Why Is Selling AI Art a Growing Opportunity?

Beyond it being fun to create AI art, these are 5 practical reasons you should start selling AI art:

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1. Increased Adoption of AI Art

AI art appeals to many people, from art lovers to seasoned art collectors. 

There’s a growing market for customized AI art merch, where you can print AI artwork as framed canvas prints, t-shirts, mugs, puzzles, and more!

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2. Relatively Low Startup Costs

You need lower costs to create and sell AI art than traditional art. You also don’t need expensive equipment, technical skills, or an exhibition space. 

You just need an AI art generator, an online AI art-selling platform, and internet access.

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3. AI Art Stands Out

You can meet your clients’ preferences using the different style options from AI-generated tools. For example, you can create AI art pieces of their avatars or pets.

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4. Can Be Profitable

You might sell AI designs to art lovers, collectors, and investors at high prices. 

For example, an AI portrait of Edmond de Belamy sold at U.S. $432,500 in New York.

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5. No Middleman Fees

Unlike when dealing with traditional art sales, you don’t need to pay commissions or gallery rent fees when selling AI art, which maximizes your earnings.

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Is It Legal to Sell AI Art?

The short answer is yes🤩.

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While you can sell AI legally, there are still a couple of murky areas: 

• Copyright Issues: AI artwork might resemble existing work, bringing about copyright issues.
• Ownership and Authorship Disputes: Concerns arise about who owns AI artworks and has the right to distribute and sell them. There are also issues regarding who should be given credit for AI artwork—is it the artist or the AI tool?
• Usage Rights: AI art creation platforms might impose restrictions on how to use AI art. Ensure you check the terms of service of an AI art generator.
• Restrictions on Some Art: Some AI art-selling platforms might ban specific AI artwork. So, review the terms and follow the platform guidelines you’ll use to upload and sell your artwork. 

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Best Platforms to Sell AI Art

Looking for the best place to sell AI-generated art?

While there are many platforms where you can sell your AI-generated art, here are our top 5 picks:

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1. Etsy

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Although Etsy is popularly known as a marketplace for handmade and vintage items, it’s recently incorporated a section for selling AI-generated art.

Key Features

• You can showcase AI art’s printable downloads and customizable physical artwork.
• You can interact directly with buyers, enhancing your customer's buying experience.
• You will get exposure to a diverse Etsy community of art lovers.
• You can set up and personalize your storefront.

However, there can be high competition on Etsy.

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2. Redbubble

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Redbubble is a print-on-demand (POD) platform allowing artists to upload and sell AI art.

Key Features

• You can sell your artwork in home decor, mugs, apparel, phone cases, and stickers.
• Redbubble handles printing and shipping, making it convenient to sell AI art.
• You can reach diverse audiences globally.

As an artist, you have limited control over printing and shipping, which can impact the quality of the final product.

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3. Society6

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Society6 is another site where you can upload your AI artwork and sell it in a wide range of products.

Key Features

• The platform handles the printing and shipping your AI designs, letting you focus on creating art.
• You can sell your AI designs for various products like wall art, posters, or home decor.
• Society6 provides your clients high-quality printing, including high-end products like wall tapestries.

However, your profits might be small because of the commissions.

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4. Saatchi Art

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Saatchi Art is a popular art marketplace that connects with galleries and dealers. Along with traditional art, the platform also supports selling AI art.

Key Features

• You can reach a global audience, including art enthusiasts and collectors.
• You can connect with other artists.

However, the commissions on the sales can reduce your profits.

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5. SuperRare

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Want to market and sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs)? Try the SuperRare platform, which focuses on digital collectibles and high-end AI art.

Key Features

• You can verify the uniqueness of your artwork using blockchain, proving you are the digital, rightful owner
• Secure and transparent transactions using the Ethereum blockchain
• Interact and build authority in the SuperRare NFT art community

Tip! You can create NFT art for free with starryai!

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How to Start Selling AI Art Online

Looking to crack the code to earn from selling AI generated art? Absolutely possible!

Let’s explore 6 intriguing AI art prompt recipes to exercise your creativity and carve out unique, breathtaking AI art to sell:

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Recipe# 1: Fantasy Architecture (Altair)

If your main jam has always been fantasy & whimsical imagery, then this recipe is all you need to kickstart your printing gig.

This recipe will get you ethereal, mesmerizing architectural forms that are sure to enliven spaces that are meant to house creativity and wonder.

Prompts: “Rococo Architecture” “Art Nouveau” “Fantasy” “Disney” “Building” “Castle” “Tower” “Cottage” “Ethereal” “Magical” “Ornamental”

Settings: Artstation / DeviantArt / Flemish Baroque / Art Deco / Behance / Illustration

Runtime: 200 / 400

Process: Altair

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Recipe# 2: Fantasy Architecture (Orion)

Prompts: “Rococo Architecture” “Art Nouveau” “Fantasy” “Disney” “Building” “Castle” “Tower” “Cottage” “Ethereal” “Magical” “Ornamental”

Settings: Felix Kelly / Artstation / Matte / Cinema 4D

Runtime: 200 - 600

Process: Orion

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Recipe# 3: Japanese Architecture (Altair)

Want to give your art prints a little bit of panache to stand out from the crowd? How about vibrant Japanese architecture?

Japanese art aesthetic has been inspiring all other cultural arts for aeons and it’s no wonder. There is just something hypnotizing about the soft yet bold brush strokes, the vibrancy of the colours that mesh with each other like two waves and the simplicity of the dynamic forms.

This recipe will generate you some incredible Japanese architectural AI artworks that would make for some wonderful art prints to sell on, say, Japanese paper? ;)

Prompts: “Japanese Architecture” “Japan Buildings” “Nihon kenchiku” “zen”

Settings: Artstation, Art Deco, Ukiyo-e

Runtime: 200 - 400

Process: Altair

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Recipe# 4: Gothic Monochrome (Orion)

Colour may not be everyone’s thing and that’s okay. Sometimes we need some monochromatic aesthetic to help bring out the colour of the spaces themselves.

This set of recipe will help you export some eerie, gothic, monochromatic AI artworks.

Prompts: “Gothic Monochrome” “Greyscale” “Romanesque” “Architecture” “Cathedral” “Ornament”

Settings: Felix Kelly / Artstation

Runtime: 250 - 600

Process: Orion

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Recipe# 5: Astronomy / Celestial

You know what’s better than larger than life prints to sell? Astronomical and celestial, larger-than-life art prints ;)

Nothing helps make a space grander than large art prints of the Cosmos. This set of AI art recipe will allow you to generate cosmic imagery (no pun intended) that is sure to sky rocket your art prints selling business (again… no pun intended).

Prompts: “Solar System” “Solar Flares” “Planetary” “Lunar” “Spirals”

Settings: Felix Kelly or Nat Geo + Artstation + Matte Painting

Runtime: 250 or 600

Process: Orion

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Recipe# 6: Retro Vintage

Retro vintage will never go out of style. Whether it's on a t-shirt or a poster, retro artworks always have a way of standing through the test of times. This recipe will allow you to render fun, vibrant retro vintage imagery to print for sell.

Prompts: “Retro” “vintage” “retro vintage” “neon retro” “antique” “classic” “west coast” “diner” “car” “club” “drive-in”

Settings: Artstation / Felix Kelly

Runtime: 250 - 600

Process: Orion.

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Recipe# 6: Watercolour

Sometimes, the best way to do things is to do it the traditional way. Watercolour art prints and imagery has always been the go-to for wall decor for centuries.

The soft, pastel colours, meshing into each other and the airy aesthetic always helps calm the aura of the spaces they inhabit.

This set of recipe will get you the most inspiring,

Prompts: “Watercolor art” “Aquarelle art” “faded watercolor” “soft watercolor” “opaque watercolor background”

Orion styles: Artstation / Felix Kelly / Johan Grenier / James Gurney

Altair styles: Artstation / Speed Painting / Watercolor / Matte Painting

Runtime: 250 - 600

Orion examples:

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Altair examples:

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Strategies and Tips for Making Money Selling AI Art

Now that you know where (and how) to sell your AI art, how do you maximize your sales?

Use the strategies and tips below:

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Grow Your Audience on Social Media

Set up social media accounts like Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with art lovers. 

You can then showcase your AI artwork on each of these social accounts. Use relevant hashtags and keywords to appeal to your target buyers.

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Leverage Other Artists and Influencers

Look for opportunities to collaborate with other creators in your niche. This can help you gain exposure and access to new clients.

Besides helping you reach new audiences, different artists can also give you valuable feedback, helping you improve your work.

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Take Time to Customize Your AI Art

Your work must be unique and high-quality to get attention in the crowded AI art marketplace. Invest time improving your AI art skills and refining your creations to stand out. 

You should also consider uploading your AI art of the highest quality to make it visually appealing and attract buyers.

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Set the Right Price for Your AI Art

You should value your AI art based on the time you spent, the costs you incurred, the quality of your AI-generated art, and the market demand for similar AI creations. 

If you’re just beginning, consider pricing your work slightly lower to attract customers.

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Engage with AI Art Communities

Engage in online communities designed for AI art, like Discord servers and Facebook groups.  

Connect with other artists to share your work, collaborate on projects, and stay updated on AI trends.

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🥴Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

While you might be ready to start selling your AI art, you might face certain challenges.

But don’t worry. We’ve discussed how you can overcome them:

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1. Competition

Creating AI-generated art is typically cheaper and effortless. However, it has become widespread and affected the art industry. 

The solution: You should use AI to enhance your art, not replace human creativity.

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2. Ethical Considerations

There have been complaints about AI tools generating biased AI images.

The solution: You should use AI tools like starryai that incorporate diverse cultural experiences and promote inclusivity in training data sets.

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3. Copyright Infringement

Algorithms are trained on existing styles and art. Therefore, you might generate AI art that resembles copyrighted art.

The solution: You must stay informed of the changing AI legal issues.

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4. Reduced Appreciation of Human Artists

AI can devalue artists who spend years mastering their craft and the personal touch that makes their human-created art unique.

The solution: Emphasize the role of the human touch in art, including AI-generated ones.

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What’s Next?

Now that you have picked your aesthetic & art style for your art prints, go wild, my friend!

You’ll want to experiment a ton in terms of art prints. Now, of course, there is the easy route and then there is the not-so-easy route. You (almost) always get what you invest, so consider which business model works best for you.

The easiest way to start and sell art prints online is to consider print-on-demand drop-shipping. Some brands that offer this service are **Printful** & Printify, both of which easily integrate with Shopify and offer a wide range of products from t-shirts and caps to mugs and wall decor. All you’d have to do is create your AI art, upload them on the web and when the order comes, you simply sit and relax while the drop-shipping services do the rest.

If you’re just looking to start a side hustle and see where it takes you, then this is the best path to follow. However, there is always a catch. Using print-on-demand and drop-shipping services would mean that you have zero to little control of the quality of your art prints and products. If you’re looking to build a brand that stands the test of time & cultivates a brand name, then this route may not be the best one to take.

For those who are looking to build a brand that is a masterpiece then you’ll want to do things a little differently. The stakes will be higher but so would the reward. You’d want to either invest in good printing equipment or partner up with a quality printing service that is on par with your expectations. You’d also want to ensure the quality of the paper, clothing, or whatever item it is you’re selling online is also top notch and that no detail is spared when it comes to the quality & beauty of your product.

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Need More Support on Your Creativepreneurial Journey?

Join us on Discord where we have cultivated a highly supportive and nurturing community of creatives and AI art enthusiasts who regularly come together to help each other out. We host weekly creative challenges, share tips and tricks and critique each other’s AI artwork to keep those creative juices flowing while also expanding our artistic horizons.

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🙋🏻‍♀️Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These are some of the questions we get about making money by selling AI art:

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🛒Which AI Art Marketplace is Best for Beginners?

Some of the best marketplaces to sell AI art are:

• Etsy
• Redbubble
• Artsi

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💲How Do I Price the AI-Generated Art Online?

Here’s how to set a fair price for your AI artwork:

• Research what similar art is being sold to have a realistic asking price.
• Check if your target audience is a low-budget or a high-end market.
• Price your art according to the complexity of the prompt and the time spent fine-tuning your art.

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🏛️What Are the Tax Implications Of Selling AI Art Online?

Here’s what you’ll need to know to ensure you comply with tax laws:

• Income Tax: Some AI art-selling platforms like Etsy require you to report and pay taxes on your net income.
• Value-Added Tax:  Depending on your country’s laws and the nature of the sale (digital or physical), you may need to charge VAT as a seller.

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💰Can I Sell AI Art Online Without a Website?

Absolutely!🙂 

You sell AI art online through:

• Online AI art marketplaces like Etsy and SuperRare
• Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram
• Print-on-demand websites like Redbubble
• Partnering with other artists or businesses

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✔️Can AI-Generated Art Compete with Traditional Art?

While AI-generated art may challenge traditional art in terms of accessibility and production speed, it's unlikely to replace it entirely.

Traditional and AI art have unique aspects that express creativity differently. However, traditional art will continue to be valued for its connection to human emotion.

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Conclusion

AI-generated art is here to stay, and platforms like Etsy and Saatchi Art can help you sell it.

However, the legality of selling AI art, including ownership and copyright, continues to be complex. Besides, you must find solutions to challenges, such as pricing your AI art. 

There’s a caveat, though—most AI art generators don’t provide full ownership rights, limiting your ability to use the AI-generated images commercially or sell them.

But don’t worry!

You can use starryai to create high-quality AI artwork and get 100% ownership rights, meaning you can sell them without any worry. With 1000+ styles like Anime, Abstract, and Pop Culture, you can generate remarkable art tailored to your needs.

Start creating AI artwork now for free!