Print-on-Demand Made Simple: Creating Mockups with AI Art

Bringing AI Art to Life: Creating Mockups for Print-on-Demand

Hello! I’m Jey, a designer and AI artist based in Korea, selling my creations on Amazon’s U.S. marketplace. In my previous newsletter, I introduced AI-generated artworks inspired by Dufy and Signac. This time, I’d like to explore how to apply AI art to print-on-demand (POD) products and create realistic mockup images using POD platforms.

If you work with images, you may have considered selling print-on-demand products at some point. Uploading designs and listing products is incredibly easy—but making sales is another challenge entirely. However, even if you don’t plan to sell POD products, mockup images can still be useful, especially when communicating your vision with designers. While AI tools like MidJourney can generate mockups, the easiest approach is to download them directly from POD platforms. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare an AI-generated image that fits your desired product.

   • For high-quality results, upscale your image to at least 5000px.

   • If you’re working with logos or transparent designs, use PNG format with a removed background.

   • Recommended tools: Magnific or Pictura (iPhone app) for upscaling, and CapCut for background removal (which tends to separate images from backgrounds more effectively than Photoshop).

2. Select your desired product from the POD platform’s catalog and upload your image.

   • On platforms like Printify, you can start designing by clicking “Start Designing” and uploading your image.

3. Download the auto-generated mockup images.

   • In Printify, you’ll find a "Download Mockup" option on the preview screen (bottom left corner, as shown in the screenshot). Other POD platforms offer similar features.

4. If you’re interested in selling POD products, the easiest way is to integrate with Etsy.

   • Creating an Etsy shop and linking it to your POD platform account allows your products to be listed automatically.

   • Similar integrations are available for Shopify, WooCommerce, and other platforms.

Exploring AI Art on POD Products

Following these steps, I created several mockup images featuring Dufy and Signac-inspired designs. For example, the Signac-style logo on a T-shirt was uploaded to Printify after removing the background, ensuring a clean and well-proportioned placement on the fabric.

Patterns, like the Dufy-style design on a watch, are particularly versatile, seamlessly adapting to various products. Additionally, mockups for framed prints or canvas wall art can be highly effective for showcasing artwork in a realistic setting, helping potential buyers envision how the piece will look in their space.

While POD platforms provide basic mockup images, they sometimes lack aesthetic refinement. Fortunately, there are dedicated mockup services that offer more polished visuals. Freepik, for instance, allows users to create enhanced mockups with ease.

I hope this guide helps you explore new ways to apply your images. Even if you’re not planning to create mockups right away, I hope this newsletter shows you that the process is much simpler than it might seem. If there’s anything you’d like me to explain in more detail, feel free to leave a comment. See you in the next newsletter with another exciting topic!