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A few weeks ago, I published a series on using ChatGPT in your craft business. After completing the series, a reader asked me if I had ever used AI image creation programs – like Dall-E 2.
I’ll be honest, in the months that I was researching ChatGPT, I did play around with a few different AI image creators. Unfortunately, I didn’t have great results. It seems that I could never really get the programs to create what I was picturing in my head. I have a feeling I wasn’t writing the prompts well enough to get good results.
But, in the weeks since that ChatGPT series, I revisited AI image creation. This article details some of my results with AI image creation using Dall-E 2 in your craft business. If you are not familiar with Dall-E 2, it is an AI image generator created by OpenAI. OpenAI is also the creator of ChatGPT.
Table of Contents
5 Ways to Use Dall-E 2 in Your Craft Business
1. Patterns and Backgrounds
Prompt I Put into Dall-E 2
Generate a seamless background pattern tile with lemon slices on a navy blue background.
Dall-E 2 Results
What I Could Do with the Images
You could create your own scrapbook paper or printable vinyl, create clothing, or use as a photography background.
Sample Use
In this example, I used the seamless tile on a printed fabric for a sundress.
2. Clipart and Cut Files
Prompt I Put into Dall-E 2
Generate a graduation cap in a line art style with a transparent background.
Dall-E 2 Results
What I Could Do with the Images
Clipart can be used many different ways. In this example, I could cut the design in vinyl, create a stamp using the image, or an SVG cut file.
Sample Use
In this example, I created Class of 2023 Graduation cards.
3. Website Sale Images and Graphics
Prompt I Put into Dall-E 2
Beautifully decorated Christmas tree on a solid red background.
Dall-E 2 Results
What I Could Do with the Images
Illustrations can be used to make product packaging inserts, mailable post cards, website graphics, social media graphics, and more.
Sample Use
In this example, I used one of the illustrations to create a website graphic.
4. Social Media Graphics
Prompt I Put into Dall-E 2
Generate a table full of craft supplies like scissors, glitter, cardstock, ribbon, pens, markers, wood, paint, pencils, tape measure.
(If you look closely at the generated results, you’ll see some errors – especially in the scissors.)
Dall-E 2 Results
What I Could Do with the Images
Stock images are helpful when designing websites, on social media, in newsletters, and more.
Sample Use
I used the generated image to create a quote to use on Instagram.
5. Print on Demand Artwork
Prompt I Put into Dall-E 2
Photorealistic unicorn slam dunking the moon into a basketball hoop in space.
Dall-E 2 Results
What I Could Do with the Images
Using sites like Printful, there are dozens of products you can print on demand including shirts, totes, makeup bags, coffee mugs, notebooks, and more.
Sample Use
I used the generated image to create a notebook cover to fulfill with print on demand.
Does Dall-E 2 Only Produce Square Images?
Yes, to date, Dall-E 2 produces a 1:1 aspect ratio that cannot be changed – which results in square images.
However, you can use the built in editor in Dall-E 2 to expand (called outpainting) your image. Take a look through these screenshots of the process:
Dall-E 2 – How to Use Outpainting
The screenshot below shows the standard results in Dall-E 2.
Select one of the images, then click the ‘Edit’ button.
Now, add another 1024 x 1024 Generation Frame. Be sure it is overlapping the original image. Click the ‘Generate’ button.
Scroll through the images using the arrows, then click ‘Accept’ on your favorite.
Repeat the process on the other side, or the top, or the bottom, or the same side.
Download the image when you are finished.
How Much Does Dall-E 2 Cost?
Dall-E 2 works on credits. This page on OpenAI’s website details current pricing. At the time of writing this article, 115 credits cost $15 – so, $0.13 per query. Each credit gives you one AI query and produces 4 sample images.
How to Access Dall-E 2?
You can access Dall-E 2 on OpenAI’s website.
What About Copyrights and AI Generated Images?
On March 16, 2023, the US Copyright Office released a new policy. The policy states that AI generated works are not eligible for copyright. The story that led to the policy is interesting, and worth a read.
Other AI Image Generators
I chose to introduce Cutting for Business readers to Dall-E 2 for two reasons: 1) It’s created by the same company that created ChatGPT. The layout of the site is similar to ChatGPT, so I figured it would be a great starting point. 2) It’s easy to use.
Here is a list of other AI generators to try out:
- CF Spark (Made by our friends at Creative Fabrica!)
- Dream (by Wombo)
- Midjourney
- Craiyon
Since 2015, Christine Schinagl has been helping crafters start and run craft businesses through her blog, Cutting for Business. As a Silhouette and Cricut crafter herself, she has a unique take on what works and what doesn’t work in the craft business world. She also teaches a course on creating digital SVG designs, available at How to Design SVGs.