Selling digital art on Etsy is a lucrative business that doesn’t require you to be an experienced artist, especially with the emergence of AI technology. Anybody can use AI software to create breathtaking, fun, or unique artwork to sell on Etsy.
Keep reading to learn more about how you can sell AI digital art on Etsy and the critical considerations you need to take into account if you do.
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What is AI Art?
AI art is any artwork made through artificial intelligence, often through software that generates images based on text prompts you provide. The AI artwork software uses algorithms to “learn” specific styles and aesthetics by analyzing thousands of images within that style.
Examples of AI artwork listed on Etsy
Can You Sell AI Digital 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.”
In other words, AI artwork must be altered in some way by you before you can list it for sale in your Etsy shop. You must also disclose how you created the digital artwork (with AI) and provide evidence of the human manipulation if requested by Etsy.
Benefits of Selling AI Artwork
The most obvious benefit of selling AI-generated artwork is that you don’t have to be an experienced artist. You only need to be creative with the text prompts you provide the AI software and understand what buyers are interested in purchasing on Etsy.
Another huge benefit is the increased exposure and sales you can generate. Creating AI-generated artwork takes very little time, so once you understand the process, you can easily create multiple pieces a day to list in your Etsy shop. A larger number of products means you have better chances of appearing in search results and being exposed to more potential buyers.
I also like that AI digital artwork sellers can offer customized pieces. You have a huge advantage as a seller in this category offering customized pieces because of the short turnaround you can provide. Unlike traditional artists painting a portrait or custom image, you would use AI software to create the picture in a matter of minutes. The quicker turnaround appeals to customers, especially for last-minute events, anniversaries, or holiday gifts.
Etsy search results for ‘Ai custom artwork’
The Downsides of Selling AI Artwork
The biggest drawback of selling AI artwork is other AI digital art sellers may offer similar works. AI generates artwork based on the text prompt you provide and creates artwork by pulling from a huge online art database. As a result, other sellers may end up with similar-looking results because their AI software may draw from the same art. This drawback can make it more challenging to stand out on the platform. However, savvy marketing and excellent listing photos will help your shop stand out, even if other sellers have similar work.
Another downside is that buyers may be less willing to pay more for AI-generated digital products when compared to handmade art by a human artist. However, how you position your shop and product, the listing photos, and the descriptions can give you an advantage when listing your product at a higher rate. Depending on the software’s policies, you can also look into offering full personal or commercial ownership rights to the AI artwork for custom pieces. These rights may increase the artwork’s value in the eyes of your customers.
How to Sell AI Artwork
Important considerations when selling AI artwork:
- Always include a disclosure statement in your AI digital artwork listings that explains the artwork was made using AI software.
- Save the original AI digital artwork and the final version of the artwork with your manipulation so that you have proof for Etsy that a human did manipulate the artwork in some way.
- Not all AI-generated artwork is copyright free. Always double-check that the AI software you use doesn’t keep the copyright when creating the artwork using their program.
- The US Copyright Office does not consider AI-created artwork copyrightable, so always add your own touch to the piece to make it your own.
- When pricing your AI artwork, don’t price based on the time it took you to create the piece. Consider the current market value and pricing for AI digital art, particularly for the type of artwork you offer. You should price custom AI artwork even higher since you are offering personalization and a piece unique to that customer.
- Join AI artwork communities on Reddit, Facebook, and other platforms to showcase your artwork. Always include a link to your Etsy shop so potential clients can find your shop easily.
- Offer virtual workshops or other resources, like a newsletter or blog post, sharing about AI artwork, how it’s made, and the creative process behind it. Many customers love learning about the behind-the-scenes of how a product is created! You can even offer a free incentive for customers that opt into your email mailing list or follow you on social media.
Examples of Etsy AI generated artwork
Final Thoughts
AI artwork is unique because it allows anyone to create unique, creative artwork, regardless of their ability with a graphic design program, pen, or paintbrush. Producing high-quality products and following Etsy’s policies and regulations are critical components of building and running a successful Etsy shop. Learn more about launching your successful Etsy digital products business in my course, Digitally Purposed, where I share the strategies I used to earn six figures from my Etsy shop in a couple of months.
