How to Write an AI Image Prompt | Step-by-Step Guide

An AI image generator is the quickest way to get a custom image on demand. But getting the image you actually want starts with a well-written prompt.

An AI image prompt is a set of instructions you give to an AI image generator to describe the image you want it to create. To write an effective prompt, include specific details about the subject, context, audience, and design aesthetics.

An AI image prompt generator takes the guesswork out of this process. It transforms your basic idea into a detailed, high-quality prompt that works with any image generator.

QuillBot’s AI image prompt generator is completely free to use, and it’s the perfect companion for QuillBot’s image generator.

How to write effective prompts for AI image generation

Follow these steps to write an effective AI image prompt that results in a relevant and high-quality image from an AI image generator.

1. Identify the context and audience

Before you write your prompt, identify the context and audience so that you can share these details with the AI image generator. The context (aka use case) is the situation that you’re using the image for. Some common uses of an AI generator include:

• A hero image for a website’s landing page
• Creative writing prompts for K–12 students
• Visual aids in a user manual or instruction manual
• Graphics in PowerPoint presentations
• Party invitations (print or digital)
• Custom greeting cards
• Social media posts

The audience might be professionals, trainees, employees, instructors, students, or customers.

2. Choose a subject and design aesthetics

Decide what you want the image to show (e.g., a smartwatch, a classroom, a field of sunflowers). Then, decide how the image should look by considering these possibilities:

• Visual style or tone: Whether it should look realistic, minimal, illustrated, corporate, playful, etc.
• Color scheme or branding cues: Any preferred colors or design elements to align with existing materials
• Mood or atmosphere: The feeling the image should convey (e.g., calm and professional, energetic and bold)
• Perspective or composition: How the image should be framed (e.g., top-down view, wide shot, close-up)
• Format or orientation: If the image needs to fit a specific layout (e.g., landscape for slides, square for social media)
• Aspect ratio: The dimensions of the final image, such as 16:9 for presentations, 1:1 for social media, or 9:16 for vertical video content

3. Write detailed instructions

Put all of the details about the context, audience, subject, and design aesthetics into a prompt. Begin each sentence with an action verb in the imperative mood (e.g., “create,” “make,” or “generate”). Pay close attention to character limits, if applicable.

Below are two AI image prompt examples along with the outputs that they generated.

Generate a modern illustration of colorful icons representing common workplace benefits: a heart with a medical cross for health insurance, a calendar with palm trees for paid vacation, a piggy bank for retirement plans, and a clock with arrows for flexible hours. Use a soothing pastel background. The illustration will be part of the benefits section of an employee handbook.

Create a vibrant and elegant hero image for a floral decorating website. The scene should feature an array of beautifully arranged flowers for weddings and formal occasions. Include soft natural lighting that highlights the delicate textures of petals and leaves. Incorporate subtle decorative elements like ribbons, vases, and greenery to enhance the sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.

Using an AI image prompt generator

When you’re pressed for time, QuillBot’s AI image prompt generator will make a detailed image prompt for you. With QuillBot’s tool, you can share basic details about what your image generator prompt should include, and QuillBot will do the heavy lifting. Here’s how it works:

1. Input your image idea and keywords about any design aesthetics you already know your prompt should include.
2. Select “generate” to get a detailed prompt.
3. Review the prompt and make adjustments as needed. You can also prompt the image prompt generator to make specific revisions.
4. Paste the prompt into QuillBot’s AI image generator.
5. Select your desired image style and aspect ratio.
6. Review the image, and prompt the tool for adjustments if needed.

The following examples illustrate how to use QuillBot’s image prompt generator and QuillBot’s image generator to make an image for a Halloween Instagram caption.

QuillBot’s AI image prompt generator 

QuillBot’s AI image generator

Frequently asked questions about using an AI image prompt generator

How do you write an AI art prompt?

To write an AI art prompt:

1. Decide on the subject (e.g., “a medieval English knight”)
2. Define the style or medium (e.g., “oil painting”)
3. Specify the mood (e.g., “dramatic”)
4. Give extra details (e.g., “holding a bejeweled sword”)

To write AI art prompts quickly—and capitalize on ideas you may not have considered—use QuillBot’s AI art prompt generator.

What makes a good AI prompt?

An AI prompt is the instructions you provide an AI, whether you want to create a Shakespearean rap or generate an explanation of fluid dynamics that a five-year-old could understand. The detail and structure of your prompt can greatly influence the outputs you get.

Prompt engineering is the process of creating prompts that guide an AI towards creating what you need. A strong prompt should be clear, specific, and goal-driven. In other words, a prompt should describe what you need, how you want it formatted, and what you’re trying to accomplish.

If creating optimized prompts seems overwhelming, why not try an AI prompt generator? Tools like QuillBot’s free AI prompt builder take the guesswork out of writing prompts that help you get the most out of generative AI.

What are some examples of AI image prompts I can use?

The possibilities are endless, but here are some ideas you can use with the QuillBot AI image generator. In each case the prompt is followed by the style of the image and the format ratio.

• “Golden sunrise over a misty mountain valley” —Realism, 16:9
• “Cyberpunk street musician with neon tattoos” —Digital Art, 9:16
• “Futuristic skyline with floating cars and neon signs” —3D Scene, 16:9
• “Abstract watercolor splash resembling a city skyline” —Artistic, 4:3
• “Dragon flying above stormy mountains breathing fire” —Fantasy World, 16:9

If you need extra ideas, why not ask the QuillBot AI chat to help you out?