10 Principles for Writing Better AI Image Prompts
Ten immediately usable prompt-writing principles that turn vague ideas into precise descriptions — so AI gets your image right the first time.
The logic behind good prompts
The model draws what you spell out. The more specific the description, the more controllable the result. Here are ten working principles.
The 10 principles
- Lead with the subject: put the most important thing first.
- State the purpose: header, thumbnail, or poster — purpose drives composition.
- Name a style: editorial, cinematic, flat illustration, and so on.
- Constrain the palette: e.g. "blue-gold gradient" or "muted morandi tones".
- Describe the light: soft light, hard light, neon, vignette.
- Fix the ratio: 16:9, 1:1, 4:5.
- Reserve a text zone: say "leave a title zone on the left/bottom".
- Add constraints: use negative guidance to exclude what you don't want.
- Use references: when you have an image, don't rely on words alone — see reference image usage.
- Iterate, don't agonize: draft first, then refine with "more premium, more contrast".
A reusable structure
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