My First 6 Months Selling AI Designs on Multiple Platforms
I would like to know if this can work.
Six months ago I started an experiment — selling AI-generated images and designs on print-on-demand platfroms and stock photo websites.
I was curious if this could be my next side income.
So, I made research, watched some videos, and it seemed so easy.
It seemed promising at first, especially when my very first image sold after only 20 days!
But how has it panned out after half a year of work?
Where I Sell My AI Designs?
I set up accounts on Etsy and Redbubble, which are print-on-demand platforms, as well as on three stock photo sites: Adobe Stock, 123RF, and Freepik.
Over six months I uploaded more then 500 AI images total across all the platforms.
However, before I begin uploading, there are two key points that I should keep in mind when selling AI images.
It is important to know that not all stock photo platforms are open to accepting AI-generated images.
Furthermore, even if a platform does allow for these types of images, it is still necessary to label them as “AI Image” or “Made by Generative AI” in order to maintain transparency.
I have made a disclosure on all marketplaces all the time that this design was generated using AI. This has been my practice all along.
Another aspect to consider when using AI-generated images is that the review process on stock photo marketplaces tends to be lengthier compared to traditional photography.
It usually takes about 1–3 months for AI images to go through the review stage.
To optimize this process, I have tried to upload multiple images simultaneously whenever possible. This helps streamline the review and approval process, saving time in the long run.
So, lets breakdown my earnings site by site.
Redbubble
On Redbubble, I have used one of my stores that has not been successful and lacks a specific niche. However, after uploading over 300 AI designs, I noticed a significant increase in sales.
My journey with AI on this marketplace began in June, and since then, I have earned over $190.
However, due to Redbubble’s introduction of fees for all accounts, the profit has decreased to around $120.
Etsy
My strategy for Etsy was simple. Creating and selling SVG graphics, but I have not too much time to do it. So I have uploaded only 8 graphics here.
My Etsy store received 533 visits in these 6 months and generated 8 orders, resulting in earnings of 12.98 euros, approximately equivalent to 14 dollars.
I believe that Etsy has great potential, and I will definitely upload more designs to my store there.
123RF
This is my first stock photo platform where I upload AI-generated images. To date, I have uploaded over 240 images and received 13 downloads, earning me $7.15.
The review process for images generated with AI technology is around 2–6 weeks, so keep this in the mind.
Freepik
This is another website that accepts AI-generated images. However, the review process on this website takes more than two months, which is why I have only had 104 designs accepted so far.
So far, I have received 29 downloads, which have earned me 1. 17 euro.
Adobe Stock
One of the best marketplaces to sell your images. Even when done with AI. However, the review process is strict, and take up 3 months.
I managed to upload 107 images and only made 5 sales. However, this has already earned me $8.40.
So, the question is, why were my image sales so low?
It boils down to two key issues:
- I didn’t put in the time to build a large portfolio. You need high volume to drive regular sales. Except Redbubble, I only published around 100 images on each site.
- Competition is huge, even in a huge marketplace. My images apparently didn’t stand out quality-wise. They didn’t rank well in search results.
What’s Needed for This to Work
First, creating AI images takes significant time. So this would need to be more than just a hobby. You’d have to commit serious hours to building a vast portfolio.
Second, even AI tools require skill. My graphics abilities are limited. Truly eye-catching, unique images command higher prices. That means mastering prompt crafting for best results.
Finally, smart marketing and SEO optimization pay off hugely. You must create keyword rich titles, captions and tags, so images get discovered. This is an area I neglected completely!
What I Have Learned From This Experiment
While selling AI pictures on stock sites or on print-on-demand platforms seems easy, it’s quite challenging to profit.
My half-hearted attempt fizzled, earning only pocket change.
So, for viable income, aggressively building content volume and marketing skills is the most crucial.
Still, if done right, extra cash from AI images could absolutely happen!
My experiment was fun and taught me a lot about using technology creatively. Even if I’m no budding entrepreneur yet, it sparked ideas for future projects with more planning and effort.