How to Use AI to Create Designs and Sell on Gumroad: A Beginner’s Guide

When I first heard about people selling digital designs online, I thought you needed to be a pro graphic designer. But with AI tools today, anyone — yes, anyone — can create stunning visuals and start earning from them. In this post, I’ll walk you through how I created my first set of designs using AI, listed them on Gumroad, and made my first sale (without any design degree!).

Let’s dive in.

My First Design Sale – A Real Story

A few months ago, I was browsing Pinterest and saw these beautiful tea coasters with floral designs. They were selling like hotcakes. I thought — what if I made my own designs?

The problem? I didn’t know Photoshop. I’m not a designer. But I had one tool on my side: ChatGPT and Canva.

That night, I opened ChatGPT and asked:

“Give me 10 ideas for digital coaster designs people would love to buy.”

The ideas I got were incredible. Vintage coffee themes, motivational quotes, abstract shapes — all trending. I took a few of those ideas and moved to Canva, an easy-to-use design tool. And within a couple of hours, I had created 5 beautiful digital coasters.

Why Gumroad?

Gumroad is like your personal online store. You can upload digital files, write a short product page, and start selling immediately. No coding. No tech headache.

Think of it as a digital shop window. Whether it’s a design, a course, a guide, or templates — you can sell it on Gumroad.

Step-by-Step: From Idea to Income

Here’s the simple path I followed — and you can too.

1. Brainstorm Ideas with AI

Use ChatGPT, Bing AI, or Notion AI to generate:

Design concepts (e.g., “Boho style kitchen coasters”)
Trending themes (e.g., “Retro coffee art”)
Captions or quotes to use in your design

💡 Tip: Ask ChatGPT for “popular keywords for Etsy digital coaster designs” — these also help in SEO on Gumroad.

2. Create Designs Using Canva or Leonardo.Ai

If you’re not a designer, use free tools like:

Canva: Drag-and-drop editor with templates
Leonardo.Ai or Midjourney: Generate artistic styles using AI
Photoshop AI (if advanced)

Design for 300 DPI (high resolution) and square size (e.g., 4×4 inches) — suitable for printing on real coasters.

3. Export and Package Your Files

Save your designs as PNG or JPEG
Create a ZIP folder titled something like: Coffee_Coaster_Bundle.zip
Add a bonus if you like: printable PDF, mockups, or license file

Setting Up Your Product on Gumroad

Title

“Coffee Lover Coaster Bundle – 5 Printable Designs for Sublimation & DIY Projects”

Description

A set of 5 high-resolution coffee-themed coaster designs, perfect for printing on MDF or wooden coasters. Designed for DIY creators, home business owners, or anyone who loves stylish table decor.

Use these files to:

Print on coasters
Use in your print-on-demand store
Add to your kitchen or coffee bar setup

Pricing

Start with $2 to $5 for 5 designs. You can raise prices as your shop grows. You can also offer “Pay What You Want” pricing.

Files to Upload

Upload your ZIP file (the buyer will download this after purchase)
Add a cover image (a nice mockup with your designs)
Add 1–3 more thumbnails (close-up previews)

Call to Action

“Buy this bundle and start creating your own beautiful coasters today!”

Promote Your Product

Don’t just list and wait.

Here’s what I did:

Shared mockup images on Instagram with hashtags like #coasterdesigns
Posted on Pinterest (it brings free traffic!)
Joined Facebook groups related to DIY, crafts, and small businesses
Added the Gumroad link to my Instagram bio using Linktree

Over time, people started visiting my store — and eventually, sales followed.

Bonus: AI Prompts You Can Try

Here are a few ChatGPT prompts that helped me create:

“Give me 10 aesthetic themes for coaster designs that are trending in 2025.”
“Write short, funny coffee quotes for printable coasters.”
“Create product description for vintage tea coaster digital download.”

These save HOURS of thinking. And you stay ahead of the trend.

Final Thoughts

Selling digital products doesn’t mean you need to be a pro. I started with zero design experience, used free AI tools, and made money with designs I created from my laptop.

If you have ideas, use AI to bring them to life.

So go ahead — create, list, share, and earn.

Who knows? Your next design might be someone’s favorite mug’s best friend

FAQs

Q1: Do I need a Gumroad subscription to start selling?

A: No, Gumroad is free to join. They only take a small fee from each sale you make.

Q2: Can I sell the same designs on multiple platforms like Etsy or Creative Market?

A: Yes, you can! Just make sure your license terms (personal vs commercial use) and pricing are consistent across platforms.

Q3: What file format should I upload for digital coaster designs?

A: Use high-resolution PNG, JPEG, or PDF files. Most buyers prefer zipped folders with organized files and a readme if needed.

Q4: How many designs should I include in one product?

A: Start with 4 to 10 unique designs per set. Bundles perform well and offer more value to buyers.

Q5: Can I make these designs using free AI tools?

A: Yes! You can use tools like Canva, ChatGPT (for quotes), Midjourney, or Leonardo.ai to create unique coaster designs without needing graphic design skills.

Q6: What should I write in the product description?

A: Mention what the buyer will get (number of files, size, format), usage ideas (e.g., print on coasters, gifts), and license terms (e.g., personal use or commercial use allowed).

Q7: Do I need a license or permission to sell AI-generated designs?

A: Most platforms allow AI-generated designs, but you must ensure your content is original and not violating any copyrights or trademarks. Use your own prompts and avoid brand names.

Q8: Can I sell physical coasters made from these designs?

A: Yes! Your buyers can print your digital designs on MDF, wood, or cork coasters and sell them at craft fairs or on Etsy.

Q9: How can I make my product stand out on Gumroad?

A: Use eye-catching mockups, clear titles, and attractive cover images. Offer bonus files or bundle deals to increase perceived value.

Q10: What if I want to create more bundles later?

A: That’s a great idea! Seasonal bundles (like Christmas, Summer, Motivational Quotes) or niche themes (like Coffee Lovers, Zodiac Signs) tend to perform very well.