Simple Ways to Get Consistent Designs in Midjourney with Image Prompts

A Midjourney generated image using Midjourney Automation Suite

Using images in your Midjourney prompts can help you create consistent art. It moves beyond just using text. Images can influence composition, subject, style, and color in your results. This guide explains how to use images effectively in your Midjourney workflow.

Basics of Using Images in Prompts

Normally you write prompts using text descriptions. You might add parameters at the end separated by double colons (::). These are special instructions.

When you add images, the image link goes at the very front of your prompt. So the order is: image links, then text, then parameters.

If you use Discord, you paste the image URL. If you use the Midjourney website, you have several options:

• Paste the image URL into the prompt area.

• Drag and drop the image into the prompt area.

• Click the image icon next to the prompt box.

• Click on an image you already generated and use the "Use Image" option or drag it into the prompt.

Four Ways to Use Images

Midjourney offers four main methods for using images in your prompts:

Image Reference

This is when you use an image to influence the overall output. Midjourney looks at the image's composition, subject, style, and colors when creating your new image. On the website, make sure the third icon (the one that looks like a photo) is selected for the image you add.

You can control how much Midjourney listens to the image reference using the `--iw` parameter. This is followed by a number from 0 to 3. The default is 1. A higher number means the image has more influence.

Blending Images

This method combines two or more images together. On the Midjourney website, just place two images at the start of your prompt and click submit. No text or parameters are needed for a basic blend.

In Discord, you can use the `/blend` command. This lets you drag and drop up to six images to merge. Midjourney blends the look and content from these images.

By default, images get equal importance in a blend. You can change this by using relative weights. Separate image URLs with double colons `::` and a number. The number is the weight. For example, placing `::5` after an image URL makes it five times more important than one without a weight or with `::1`. This relative weighting for images is mostly a Discord feature right now.

Style Reference

Style reference tells Midjourney to match the visual look of an image, but ignore the actual subject or content. It picks up on things like color palettes, textures, and the overall feel of the art. You can use the image URL as a parameter by typing `--sref` followed by the URL. This goes at the end of your prompt, not the beginning like image references. On the website, drag the image and choose the paperclip icon.

Control the style's influence with the `--sw` parameter. This is the style weight. The default is 100, and the range is 0 to 1000. A higher number means the style image has more impact.

Character Reference

Character reference is different from style reference. It aims to grab the *subject* of an image while ignoring the style. This is how you can try to keep the same character across different images. Use the parameter `--cref` followed by the image URL. On the website, select the first icon, which looks like a person.

For better character consistency, using Raw Mode can help Midjourney follow the prompt and character image more closely. You can adjust how much Midjourney listens to the character reference with the `--cw` parameter. This is on a scale of 0 to 100. Higher numbers bring in more details from the source image, like clothing or hair.

Combining Techniques

You can mix these methods. For instance, combining a character reference and a style reference can help you create the same character drawn in a consistent style, perfect for a series like a comic or children's book.

Streamline Your Workflow

Experimenting with image prompts, weights, and different combinations can lead to great results. Managing many images, parameters, and versions can become complex quickly.

To make your Midjourney experience smoother and more efficient, consider using automation tools. They can help manage your prompts, track results, and apply complex settings easily.

Check out the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT. It helps you automate tasks, organize your work, and get more done with Midjourney.

Conclusion

Using images in Midjourney opens up many creative possibilities, from keeping designs consistent to blending entirely new concepts. Understanding Image Reference, Blending, Style Reference, and Character Reference gives you more control over your art.

Practice using these methods and adjusting the weights (`--iw`, `--sw`, `--cw`) to fine-tune your results. You might also find tools purpose built for Midjourney invaluable for speeding up your creative process.

Discover how the TitanXT Midjourney Automator can help you manage these techniques and improve your art generation workflow.