How to Sell AI-Generated Art on Etsy (Even If You’re Not an Artist)

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How to Sell AI-Generated Art on Etsy (Even If You’re Not an Artist)

I can't draw. I’ve never been to art school. And I don’t have a fancy iPad with a pen.

But still — I opened an online art shop.

creative woman


Thanks to AI tools like Midjourney, anyone can turn simple ideas into beautiful digital artwork. Combine that with platforms like Etsy, and you suddenly have a way to turn creativity into income — without being a “real” artist.

In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to get started:

  • What tools you need (all beginner-friendly)
  • How to create digital art with AI
  • How to list and sell it on Etsy
  • Tips to stand out and actually make sales

You don’t need experience. You just need curiosity — and maybe 30 minutes of free time.

🧰 What You’ll Need

Before we get into making art, let’s quickly cover what you need to start. Don’t worry — everything here is either free or low-cost.

  1. Midjourney (or another AI art tool)
    Midjourney is an AI image generator that turns text into stunning visuals. You’ll need a Discord account to use it.
    👉 Visit Midjourney
  2. Canva or Photopea
    To crop, resize, or adjust your images before uploading to Etsy. These tools are easy to use — no design skills required.
    👉 Canva | Photopea
  3. Etsy Account
    You’ll need an Etsy seller account to list your products. The process is simple, and you can get started with a few clicks.
    👉 Open an Etsy shop
  4. PayPal or Bank Info
    Etsy will ask for your payment details so they can send you your earnings.

That’s it — no drawing skills, no software installs, no complicated setup. Just these four pieces and you’re ready to create and sell.

🎨 Create Your First AI Artwork

Now the fun part — making your first piece of AI-generated art. We’ll be using Midjourney, one of the most popular and powerful tools for creating beautiful, stylized images.

Step 1: Join Midjourney via Discord

  1. Create a free Discord account if you don’t have one yet → discord.com
  2. Go to midjourney.com and click “Join the Beta”
  3. You’ll be added to the Midjourney Discord server automatically

Step 2: Use Your First Prompt

In one of the #newbies channels, type your first command like this: 

/imagine prompt a cozy mountain cabin at sunset, watercolor style --ar 4:5 --v 5

Midjourney will generate 4 images in about 1 minute. Click “U1” to upscale the first image or “V1” to get 4 variations of it.


cozy mountain cabin


💡 Pro Tip: Use These Example Prompts

  • /imagine prompt fantasy forest at night, glowing mushrooms, cinematic lighting --ar 4:5
  • /imagine prompt minimalist abstract art, pastel color palette, clean shapes --ar 4:5
  • /imagine prompt japanese tea shop street view, watercolor style --ar 4:5

Try a few variations until you get something you love. Save the upscaled image by right-clicking and selecting "Save image as".

Now you’ve got your first AI artwork — ready to sell!

🛍️ Prepare & List Your Art on Etsy

Now that you’ve got your AI-generated image, let’s get it ready for sale and upload it to Etsy. This part is easier than you might think.

Step 1: Resize & Export Your Image

Use Canva, Photopea, or even Preview (Mac) to resize your image. Most buyers expect printable artwork in high resolution — ideally 300 DPI.

  • Resize to standard poster sizes (e.g., 8x10", 11x14", A4)
  • Export as JPG or PNG
  • Optional: offer multiple sizes in a .ZIP file

Step 2: Set Up Your Etsy Listing

Log into your Etsy seller account and click “Add a listing.” Fill out the key fields:

  • Photos: Upload your AI artwork preview
  • Title: Be descriptive (e.g., “Japanese Watercolor Street – Digital Download”)
  • Category: Art → Digital Prints
  • Type: Digital
  • Tags: Use keywords like AI art, digital wall art, printable, fantasy landscape
  • Price: Start around $4.99–$9.99

Step 3: Upload the Digital File

Under “Digital Files,” upload the image or .zip file you prepared earlier. This is what buyers will receive after purchasing.

Step 4: Publish Your Listing

Hit “Publish” — and your artwork is live! Etsy will charge a small listing fee (usually $0.20), and take a small cut when you make a sale.

🎯 Bonus Tip: Your First Sale Might Take Time

Don’t worry if it doesn’t sell right away. Add more listings, test different keywords, and keep experimenting. Think of it like planting seeds — some will grow with time.

What I Learned from Trying This

I started this with a simple thought: “Let’s just try it.”

I’m not an artist. I’m not a designer. And I’ve never sold anything online before. But creating AI art, polishing it a bit, and uploading it to Etsy — that whole process felt exciting. Like I was finally putting something out into the world.

No, I haven’t made a sale yet. But I’m hopeful. I’m learning. And most importantly, I’m moving. That’s what matters.

If a sale comes in tomorrow, great. If it takes a month, that’s okay too. The first step is showing up — and I did that.

🧪 Try This Today

Here’s a challenge for you (yes, you!):

  1. Join Midjourney on Discord
  2. Generate 3 AI artworks using the prompts I shared
  3. Pick your favorite and upload it to Etsy as a digital download

That’s it. No pressure. Just finish the first upload.

You never know — your first sale might come from something you made today.

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