> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.jeffsu.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# How to get consistent AI images with a prompt template
- URL: https://www.jeffsu.org/newsletter-266/
- Published: 2026-10-02T02:57:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T02:57:28.000Z
- Description: #266
- Author: Jeff
- Tags: #newsletter, AI

*Want to see these tips early?* [*Subscribe to the newsletter!*](https://www.jeffsu.org/newsletter/)

---

You probably don’t use AI to generate images THAT often, BUT when you do, you probably get **pretty inconsistent results** no matter what text-to-image tool you use.

By the end of this post, you’ll know how to:

1. Get consistently great images with less back-and-forth using a **standardized prompt template.**
2. Try the template right away in a free and paid image tool.

## Steal my four-section prompt template

Long story short, image models have become so powerful that I’ve found a simple template with these four sections works pretty well:

1. **Overarching concept:** What are we making, and what should it communicate?
2. **References:** If you’re uploading images, tell the AI what to use from each one. If you don’t need references, just write “None.”
3. **Visual details:** Get specific about what goes where, plus the colors, lighting and any details you care about.
4. **Output and finishing:** What shape and size should the image be, and what will you add yourself?

![A four-section image prompt leads to a polished AI-agent thumbnail.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2026/10/image.png)

Copy this, fill in the brackets, and attach any reference images you mention:

```
## Overarching concept
Create a [IMAGE TYPE] for [PURPOSE].
The main idea is [CORE IDEA].

## References
[WRITE "NONE", OR LIST EACH ATTACHED IMAGE AND WHAT TO USE FROM IT]

## Visual details
Subject: [SUBJECT AND APPEARANCE]
Layout and background: [COMPOSITION]
Style, colors and lighting: [VISUAL DIRECTION]
Important constraints: [WHAT MUST OR MUST NOT APPEAR]

## Output and finishing
Aspect ratio and resolution: [OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS]
Text: [EXACT WORDS OR "NO TEXT"]
Later edits: [WHAT I'LL CHANGE MYSELF, OR "NONE"]

```

## Get consistent results across platforms

To show this works across platforms, I used the same four-section prompt and the same reference images in [Google Pics](https://workspace.google.com/products/pics/?ref=jeffsu.org) (available for paid Google AI users) and [ChatGPT Images](https://chatgpt.com/images/?ref=jeffsu.org) (free).

Look at how similar the results are:

![Google Pics and free ChatGPT Images produce similar layouts from the same structured prompt and reference images.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2026/10/image-1.png)

Both put me on the right, with the three agents and speech bubbles on the left, and kept the dark blue background.

**So when you switch tools, keep the same four sections** and just change what’s inside them for the image you need.

## Which image tool should you use (right now)?

Unless you’re a power user (like a creative agency who needs to generate thousands of images daily for A/B testing), the free version of [ChatGPT Images](https://chatgpt.com/images/?ref=jeffsu.org) is more than enough given how powerful the underlying [Images 2.5 model](https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-5/?ref=jeffsu.org) is.

If you’re already paying for a Google AI plan, I’ve found [Google Pics](https://workspace.google.com/products/pics/?ref=jeffsu.org) to be an extremely strong and no-frills alternative that produces images much faster than ChatGPT Images.

All that said, **a standardized prompt template gives you more consistent results across platforms.** Save these four headers and reuse them the next time you need an image!

---

**Whenever you’re ready, here are some other ways I can help you:**

🎛️ [The Cowork Academy:](https://coworkacademy.ai/?ref=jeffsu.org) Ready-to-install AI Command Center that loads your context automatically and makes every Claude session sharper than the last. 90% built when you download it.

💻 [The Workspace Academy:](https://academy.jeffsu.org/workspace-academy?ref=jeffsu.org) Never lose a file, task, or note again with my CORE workflow for Google Workspace. Adopted by over 10,000 Googlers.

✅ [Build Your Command Center in Notion:](https://www.pressplay.cc/link/s/D5B5EC96?ref=jeffsu.org) Plug-and-play dashboard that surfaces today’s priorities automatically and organizes your life in seconds. #1 rated Notion Course globally.