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AI Art: Beyond the Hype, Into Your Wallet?
How to Turn AI-Generated Images into Real Income
Keith Lim
September 30, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes
Let’s be honest: AI art has been a whirlwind of hype, controversy, and stunning visuals. From generating fantastical landscapes to hyper-realistic portraits, the technology is undeniably powerful. But for many, it still feels like a novelty, a cool trick, but not a viable income stream.
You’re probably thinking, how can I actually make money with this? Mine too. However, what if the secret isn't just generating pretty pictures, but strategically applying AI art to existing, profitable markets?
🎁 FREE RESOURCES FOR YOU
I always try to add more value to my readers, and here are all the resources I have share:
🔍 PROMPT OF THE WEEK
Put your logo on the moon. GET THE PROMPT HERE.
🖼️ IMAGE OF THE WEEK
🧰 AI TOOL OF THE WEEK
What is OpenArt?
OpenArt is a powerful, all-in-one AI-powered platform for generating and editing images and even creating videos. It offers a wide range of tools, from text-to-image generation using over 100 models to advanced image editing features and consistent character creation. It's designed to turn your ideas into stunning visuals quickly and efficiently, catering to both beginners and professional creators.
But does it actually work?
Here’s the messy truth: OpenArt is a serious contender in the AI creative space. It goes far beyond simple image generation, providing a comprehensive suite of tools that can revolutionize your digital art experience. You can create images from text, transform images into videos, maintain consistent characters across multiple visuals, and perform advanced edits like inpainting, background removal, and facial expression changes. This means you can use it for everything from generating unique concepts and marketing assets to creating game concept art and even short narrative videos.
Key Features that Matter:
Text-to-Image Generation: Convert detailed text prompts into high-quality visuals using a vast library of over 100 AI models, including popular ones like FLUX dev and GPT Image.
Image Editing Suite: Advanced AI-powered tools for inpainting, outpainting, background removal, object replacement, upscaling, enhancing, and even changing facial expressions.
AI Video Creation: Generate videos from text or images, create character vlogs, music videos, and explainer videos. It also offers features like automatic sound generation and accurate lip-syncing.
Consistent Character Creation: Solve the challenge of maintaining a character's appearance across multiple images by creating characters from text descriptions or reference photos.
Prompt Discovery & Community: Explore a massive library of AI-generated images, see the prompts used, and learn from a vibrant community to refine your own creations.
Custom Model Training: Train your own custom models (LoRAs) for specific styles, objects, or people.
Mini Tutorial: Generating an Image with OpenArt's Text-to-Image
Let's create a unique image using a text prompt.
Go to OpenArt and sign up for a free account.
Navigate to the "Create" section, which is the primary workspace for generating images.
In the text-to-image generator, input a detailed prompt describing your desired image. For example: "A majestic bald eagle flying over an emerald green sea, in the style of Impressionism, capturing light and color, vibrant colors."
Choose from the available models. You can experiment with different models to see varying artistic interpretations.
Adjust advanced settings like steps, seed, or upscale if you want more control over the output.
Click "Generate" and watch AI transform your idea into a visual.
Once generated, you can download the image or use the editing tools to refine it further (e.g., remove background, enhance details).
Pro tip: OpenArt emphasizes detailed prompts. The more specific you are about the subject, style, composition, atmosphere, and colors, the better the AI can interpret your vision.
Bottom line: OpenArt is a comprehensive and evolving platform that empowers creators to leverage AI for a wide array of visual content, from static images to dynamic videos. It's a powerful tool for anyone looking to push the boundaries of their creative output with AI.
💸 AI INCOME USE CASE
Selling Bridal Party Shirts on Etsy with AI-Assisted Design
The Etsy market for t-shirts is competitive, but one entrepreneur is making significant income by focusing on "bridal party shirts." The secret isn't just selling one shirt, but leveraging the "buy more" principle by designing for entire groups. By combining trend research, AI-assisted design, and strategic listing optimization, they're generating thousands in revenue from a single design.
The Problem:
Etsy is saturated, and standing out requires unique designs and a deep understanding of customer needs. Many sellers struggle to increase average order value and convert browsers into buyers.
The Playbook:
Target High-Volume, Multi-Item Niches: The entrepreneur identified "bachelorette party shirts" as a niche with over 2,000 monthly searches. The key insight: customers buy 5-10+ shirts for an entire group, not just one. Examples: "Here comes the bride / Here comes the party," "Bride on cloud wine / The party."
Uniqueness in Saturation: Even in a competitive niche, "if you're willing and able to create something that is unique and different based off of trending elements, you're able to stand out and really make money."
Revenue Potential: Top listings in this niche generate significant revenue (e.g., $48,000, $9,000, $7,000 per month), often within 3-7 months of launch.
Optimize Listings for Conversion (Bestseller Breakdown):
High-Quality Mock-ups: Use professional, simple mock-ups with a clear focus on the design. Model mock-ups are highly recommended as they help customers visualize the fit.
Utilize Video Feature: Highlight 5-star reviews and show the design on a moving model for social proof and engagement.
Highlight Business Values: Include cards about quick processing, ethical manufacturing, supporting women-owned businesses, customization, and quality control.
Detailed Product Info: Provide clear information on material, printing method (e.g., direct-to-garment), and testimonials.
Clear Sizing & Shipping: Include a size chart with measurements, mention how to achieve an oversized look, and offer free shipping (test what works for your shop).
Personalization: Offer simple personalization (e.g., changing the last name) to cater to Etsy's customer base.
AI-Assisted Design Process (Kittl & ChatGPT):
Brainstorming with ChatGPT: Use prompts like "give me 10 cute soon to be bride shirt sayings less than five words" or "Make it Disco themed" to generate new phrase ideas. (Always check for trademarks!)
Kittl Templates for Quality: Use Kittl's templates to create "high quality and professional designs at a very fast rate." Easily edit text, graphics, and colors.
Kittl AI for Graphics: Generate images (e.g., "bride and groom dancing" in a "Kawaii icon clip art style") and use features like AI background remover and image vectorizer.
Color Palette Experimentation: Quickly change entire color palettes to create multiple variations of a design.
Profit Calculation: Using Printify (a print-on-demand service) and a Comfort Colors shirt, the entrepreneur calculated a profit of $10.92 per shirt after item and shipping costs.
The Messy Truth:
Success in a saturated niche requires more than just a good design; it demands a meticulously crafted listing that answers all customer questions and builds trust. The entrepreneur emphasizes that you could be "just one design away from changing the course of your shop," but consistency in creating high-quality, unique designs is key.
Actionable Takeaway:
Look for niches where customers buy multiple items (like bridal party shirts). Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming phrases and Kittl for creating high-quality, unique designs. Optimize your Etsy listings with professional mock-ups, videos, detailed product information, and personalization. Understand your profit margins with print-on-demand services, and remember that consistent effort in creating unique, high-quality designs is your fastest path to success.
🤑 AI INCOME Q&A
Q: "Should I create my own AI tool or just use existing ones for my business?" - Marcus W.
A: Unless you have technical expertise and $50K+ to invest, leverage existing tools. The most profitable approach for most side hustlers is becoming an expert with commercial AI tools rather than building new ones. Focus on developing unique processes and applications that solve specific problems for specific audiences—this creates more immediate income with far less risk than tool development.
🌱 LIFE BEYOND AI
Our world is full of fascinating stuff, lots of which we don’t know. And I love geography facts. Here are some that you might not have known.
🛠️ TOOLS THAT MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
Abacus.ai → Use all the latest LLMs and build custom AI applications for an extremely low cost
Later → All-in-one platform to manage social media content, track performance, and grow online presence
beehiiv → Build, grow, and monetize your newsletters (use my link to get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months)
Recraft → Create high-quality images and vector graphics, with features like background removal and style customization
LumaLabs → Create high-quality images and videos from text and images, including 3D models.
Beacons → Customize link-in-bio pages + building your online store
Descript → AI-powered video and audio editing platform to create professional-looking content
ElevenLabs → Create ultra-realistic text-to-speech voices in multiple languages
And that’s a wrap for this week.
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Thank for so much for your support!
☄️ Let’s make moves,
Keith
Chief Human Officer, Optimizing With AI