Selling AI Generated Art: An In-Depth Guide
Artificial Intelligence

Selling AI Generated Art: An In-Depth Guide

Mandi D 19 November 2023
Table of contents

The advent of AI image generation tools like DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney has opened up exciting new creative possibilities. Artists can now utilize AI to assist with or fully generate novel visual concepts, characters, scenes, and more. However, while creating AI art is readily achievable, effectively monetizing generative content poses unique challenges and considerations.

Introduction

As AI capabilities have rapidly advanced, a new category of AI artist has emerged seeking to capitalize on these generative image creation tools. Some utilize AI for creative enhancement, ideation, and efficiency gains in their existing practices. Others fully embrace AI generation to conjure entire artworks built on imagined prompts. In both cases, the outputs produced have real artistic merit and commercial potential.

For pioneering AI artists, a central question arises – how can they earn income from their AI creations? Thankfully, several promising options exist to monetize novel generative content, assuming responsible and ethical practices are followed. While Slovenia recently banned AI image generation for commercial use citing copyright concerns, methods are emerging for properly licensed AI art sales in most regions.

This guide explores leading techniques AI artists are utilizing today to generate revenue from their generative image catalogs. We’ll examine key platforms, considerations, best practices, and insights from current practitioners finding success selling AI art in ethical and sustainable ways.

NFT Marketplaces

One of the most lucrative avenues for selling AI art involves listing generative images as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) on leading blockchain marketplaces. NFTs have exploded in popularity recently as a method to represent ownership of scarce digital assets like artwork, collectibles, audio clips, and more on blockchain ledgers.

Each NFT acts as a unique proof of ownership for the underlying asset. Smart contracts embedded directly into NFTs can include provisions like automatically paying the original creator royalty fees each time their certified digital artwork is resold to a new owner. This makes NFTs an ideal vehicle for creators to maintain commercial rights protection over their AI art.

Major NFT marketplaces like OpenSea, Rarible, SuperRare, and Foundation provide the platform for AI artists to auction their generative NFT artwork to potential buyers across the globe. Some key factors for effectively selling AI art as NFTs include:

  • Uniqueness and Rarity – With AI art proliferation, simply generating images is not enough. Truly novel, one-of-a-kind outputs that rise above the noise are more likely to attract collector interest. Limited editions with clear rarity build value.
  • Thoughtful Metadata – Listings should have relevant titles, detailed descriptions, appropriate tags, and custom attributes to help collectors understand the origin and significance of the work.
  • Artistic Branding – Developing an identifiable artistic identity via logos, signatures, color palettes, motifs, etc. that carry across an NFT collection builds recognition and loyalty.
  • Promotion – Marketing efforts across social media, artist communities, and press builds buzz and demand for an NFT drop. Strategic previews, contests, and giveaways also help drive interest.
  • Quality Control – Only the most imaginative, technically impressive outputs should be elevated for NFT sale. Curation, framing, post-processing, and polish maximize perceived value.

With this kind of thoughtful positioning and promotion, AI artists are attracting bids in the tens or hundreds of thousands from prominent NFT collectors seeking exclusive generative artworks. For example, Obvious sold their AI-created NFT portrait series for over $1 million in 2020. Established fine artists like Beeple have earned millions more selling AI-assisted NFTs at premier auction houses like Christie’s.

The blockchain also makes it possible to embed royalty provisions so the AI artist earns a percentage each time their certified NFT is resold to a new owner. This provides potential for ongoing passive income from a single work as their art appreciates in value over time. While the ethics around AI art remain controversial, properly licensed NFTs sold transparently offer significant earning potential for today’s most innovative generative artists.

For artists less focused on exclusive originals, print-on-demand (POD) platforms like Redbubble, Society6, and Fine Art America offer another route to commercialize AI outputs with minimal upfront costs. These sites allow users to upload generative images which consumers can then order on a vast array of printable products including canvas wall art, framed prints, posters, phone cases, apparel, stationery, and more.

When a customer places an order, the platforms handle production and fulfillment directly. The works are printed on-demand, and the artist earns a commission on each sale. This makes it fast and simple for AI artists to make their outputs available across a range of products without carrying any inventory or logistics burden. The platforms build on global production and distribution networks, empowering broad exposure and sales reach.

POD sites provide an ideal way to experiment with commercializing AI outputs in physical form. Different images can be tested across various products with zero risk. For any that gain sales traction, the platforms automatically scale print production to meet demand. Artists simply supply the images and collect income from customer purchases fueled by the marketplace’s marketing, recommendations, and search traffic.

Top performing themes, styles, and specific designs can be refined over time based on order data. Sites like Redbubble allow artists to upload abundant original outputs to maximize potential earnings. Descriptive keywords and titles optimize POD site search to drive discovery. Overall, print-on-demand services offer a powerful turnkey solution to monetize AI art catalogs sustainably.

Stock Media Licensing

For generative artists open to allowing commercial use of their outputs in exchange for royalty payments, stock media licensing presents a compelling path. Leading marketplaces like Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Getty Images, and Alamy have dedicated sections where artists can contribute AI-generated images as stock photos.

The platforms then license these curated images to a global customer base including ad agencies, publishers, film studios, graphic designers, and more for usage in advertisements, magazines, book covers, websites, product packaging, presentations, and a variety of other applications. Each time an AI image is downloaded or used under an extended license, the artist earns a royalty payment.

Some key success factors for monetizing AI outputs through stock photo licensing include:

  • High Quality – Images must meet technical standards for size, resolution, color profile, etc. Content should also be visually appealing and technically well-executed.
  • Diverse Keywords – Thorough image keywords optimize searchability so clients can actually find and license the AI art. Titles and captions provide additional descriptors.
  • Volume – Uploading a robust portfolio of fresh AI images expands earning potential as more of the library is licensed over time.
  • Customization – Many platforms allow easy edits like changing background colors. This allows creating derivatives to satisfy specific licensing needs.
  • Broad Appeal – Certain evergreen themes around nature, travel, cityscapes, textures, and more have wide commercial appeal. Unique niches also stand out.

While competition is fierce, the most talented generative artists are getting their AI outputs accepted into reputable stock libraries. This provides passive income that scales based on demand for their contributed artworks. With new creative possibilities unlocked by AI, stock media presents a compelling opportunity for ongoing royalty payments.

Physical Merchandise

For artists with stronger branding instincts, merchandising AI outputs through physical products can provide a tangible monetization avenue. Apparel, home goods, office supplies, tech accessories, and other physical items can all be customized with unique generative designs.

Common merchandise items for AI art include:

  • T-Shirts
  • Hats
  • Hoodies & Sweatshirts
  • Posters
  • Canvas Wall Art
  • Phone Cases
  • Mugs
  • Pillows
  • Tote Bags
  • Stationery
  • Stickers
  • Face Masks

These can be sold through the artist’s own e-commerce site, online marketplaces like Etsy, consignment in boutiques and gift shops, pop-up retails events, branded physical storefronts, bands’ merchandise tables at concerts, and more.

Production partners like Printful, Printify, and Gelato allow creating branded stores with automated print-on-demand fulfillment. When an order is placed, the supplier prints and ships the item directly to the customer. This streamlines logistics so artists can focus on uploads, marketing, and sales.

Physical merchandise provides a way to help fund art projects and community growth. Special product releases also build fan engagement. However, production costs must be weighed, from single custom orders to bulk discounts. Fulfillment logistics also take coordination. Overall, merchandising provides an opportunity to showcase AI designs in everyday functional products.

Book Cover Design

One specialized merchandise opportunity involves designing and selling AI-generated book covers. Self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing have opened book release to the masses, fueling a need for illustration services. Sites like Reedsy connect cover artists directly with authors seeking eye-catching designs in genres like science fiction, romance, fantasy, memoir, and more.

Leveraging natural language prompts, generative models can envision fitting cover concepts for any genre or scene description. Refining the drafts into professional layouts with polished typography elevates the commercial viability. Some tips for compelling AI book covers include:

  • Read Book Summary – Understand characters, settings, themes to capture appropriate mood and motifs.
  • Study Genre Trends – Look at what’s selling in the category to align with reader expectations while offering a fresh perspective.
  • Collaborate with Author – Welcome author input to capture their vision for tone and imagery. Offer multiple concepts for consideration.
  • Refine Details – Ensure figures, scenes, and text are clear and compelling at small thumbnail size. Finetune in post-processing.
  • Follow Spec Guidelines – Carefully set up title, author name, and imagery to fit mandated design templates for submission.

Book covers represent an ideal micro-business for artists skilled at prompt engineering and image refinement. Nailing the right tone and visuals boosts sales potential for author clients. This niche leverages AI as a tool for efficient iteration aligned to story needs. As quality expectations rise with AI proliferation, imaginative artistry and client collaboration will remain differentiators.

Wrap-Up

Selling generative art is now possible in myriad ways thanks to recent AI advancements. While technological capabilities have outpaced regulations in many regions, artists focused on responsible practices have paths to monetize inventive AI outputs. NFT auctions provide finite exclusivity grounded in blockchain verification. Print-on-demand platforms efficiently commercialize art across products without inventory. Stock media licensing unlocks passive earnings as outputs satisfy commercial image needs. Physical merchandise and book covers offer specialized opportunities to earn from AI designs applied to functional items.

However, care and discernment remain imperative. As output horizons expand, AI artists should always pursue original concepts with earnest creative purpose. Ethical considerations around proper creator credits and preventing derivative infringement are also essential as art industries grapple with AI’s implications. Maintaining aesthetic standards and selectivity allows room for meaningfully expressive AI art to resonate.

Overall, monumental creative potential now blends with practical monetization avenues. Pioneering generative artists willing to uphold principled, transparent practices can earn income doing what they love – making imaginative AI art. The most responsible and visionary creators will keep pushing possibilities while advocating ethical standards for the benefits of all.

Key Takeaways

  • NFT marketplaces allow selling exclusive AI artworks with blockchain proof-of-ownership. Strategic promotions and rarity build value for collectors.
  • Print-on-demand platforms efficiently commercialize AI outputs across various products without upfront inventory. Artists earn commissions on customer purchases.
  • Stock photo libraries provide licensing opportunities for AI outputs, earning royalty payments each time images are downloaded for commercial use.
  • Physical merchandise featuring AI designs offers tangible products fans can purchase to show support and gain function.
  • Book covers represent a specialized opportunity suited for prompt and layout proficiency. Covers help authors sell stories.
  • Maintaining high standards for originality, quality control, and ethics remains imperative as AI generation proliferates.