The basic steps to make an AI image

You describe what you want to see in words, paste that description into an AI image tool, and the tool generates pictures based on your text. Most tools work the same way: you write a prompt (a sentence or paragraph describing the image), choose any settings the tool offers, and wait seconds to minutes for the result. The tool then shows you the generated images, which you can download, edit further, or regenerate if you want different versions.

The quality and style of the image depend on how specific your prompt is and which tool you use. Tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion each produce noticeably different results from the same prompt. Some tools are free with limits; others charge per image or per month. The choice depends on what you need the images for, how many you plan to make, and whether you want commercial rights to use them.

Key Takeaways

  • AI image tools work by converting text descriptions into pictures, and most charge either per image, per month, or offer free tiers with limits on how many you can make.
  • The same prompt produces different results in different tools, so trying multiple tools with the same description helps you find the one that matches your style.
  • Specific, detailed prompts produce better results than vague ones — mentioning art style, lighting, composition, and mood all shape the final image.
  • Commercial use rights vary by tool and pricing tier, so check whether you can use generated images in client work, products, or published content before you commit.

Popular AI image tools and how they differ

DALL-E (made by OpenAI) generates images in a wide range of styles and is known for handling text within images and unusual requests well. It costs credits — typically $15 for 115 credits, with each image using 1 to 4 credits depending on resolution and speed. You get 50 free credits monthly to start.

Midjourney produces highly stylized, artistic images and is popular for illustration and concept art. It runs through Discord and requires a paid subscription: $10 per month for 200 images, $30 per month for 900 images, or $60 per month for unlimited generations. There is no free tier, but you can try it once in their public Discord server.

Stable Diffusion is open-source and free to run on your own computer if you have the technical knowledge, or you can use it through web interfaces like DreamStudio or Hugging Face. DreamStudio charges per image (roughly $0.01 to $0.05 depending on resolution). Hugging Face offers a free tier with limits.

Adobe Firefly integrates into Photoshop and Illustrator, letting you generate and edit images without leaving your design software. It is included free with a Creative Cloud subscription (which costs $54.99 per month or $19.99 per month for single apps). You get 100 generative credits per month; additional credits cost money.

Microsoft Designer uses DALL-E and is free through Bing or the web. You get 100 boosts per month (which speed up generation); after that, images take longer to generate but remain free.

Writing prompts that produce better images

A vague prompt like "a dog" produces a generic image. A detailed prompt like "a golden retriever sitting in a sunlit meadow, oil painting style, warm colors, soft focus background" gives the tool much more to work with. The more specific you are about what you want, the closer the result will match your vision.

Include these details when they matter: the subject (what the image is of), the style (photorealistic, watercolor, digital art, 3D render), the mood or lighting (bright and cheerful, dark and moody, golden hour), the composition (close-up, wide shot, from above), and any specific colors or textures. You can also reference artists or art movements — "in the style of Studio Ghibli" or "art deco poster" — and the tool will interpret that.

Avoid contradictory instructions and extremely long prompts. If you ask for "a realistic photo" and "cartoon style" in the same prompt, the tool gets confused. Most tools work best with prompts between 50 and 150 words. If your first result is not what you wanted, adjust one or two details and regenerate rather than rewriting the entire prompt.

Understanding image rights and commercial use

The rights to use a generated image depend on the tool and your subscription level. With DALL-E, you own the images you generate and can use them commercially if you have a paid account. Midjourney grants commercial rights to paid subscribers. Stable Diffusion images are yours to use, including commercially, as long as you follow the model's license terms.

Free tiers often come with restrictions. Microsoft Designer's free images can be used for personal projects but not commercial ones without a paid subscription. Always check the tool's terms of service before using a generated image in client work, published content, or products you plan to sell.

Some tools also let you upscale (enlarge) images or remove backgrounds after generation. DALL-E and Midjourney both offer editing tools. If you need more control, you can download the generated image and edit it in Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or free tools like GIMP or Canva.

Free and paid options compared

If you want to try AI image generation without spending money, Microsoft Designer and Hugging Face both offer free access with limits. Microsoft Designer gives you 100 boosts per month for fast generation; after that, images take longer but remain free. Hugging Face has a free tier but with longer wait times during busy periods.

DALL-E offers 50 free credits monthly, which is enough for roughly 12 to 50 images depending on resolution. Adobe Firefly includes 100 free generative credits per month with a Creative Cloud subscription, which you may already have if you use Photoshop or Illustrator.

For regular use, Midjourney's $10 per month plan is the cheapest paid option if you generate fewer than 200 images monthly. DALL-E's pay-as-you-go model works well if you generate images sporadically. If you use Photoshop or Illustrator already, Adobe Firefly is the most convenient because it is built into your existing workflow.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Asking for too many things at once confuses the tool. If you want "a woman in a red dress dancing in a ballroom with chandeliers and marble floors and gold accents and soft lighting," the tool may struggle to balance all those elements. Instead, focus on the main subject and 2 to 3 key details, then regenerate with different prompts if the first result misses something.

Expecting photorealism from every tool leads to disappointment. Midjourney excels at stylized art but is less reliable for realistic photography. DALL-E handles realism better. Stable Diffusion varies depending on which version and interface you use. Test each tool with a simple prompt to see which matches your needs.

Forgetting to check commercial rights before using an image in client work or published content can create legal problems. Always verify your subscription tier and the tool's terms before committing to a project. If you are unsure, generate the image with a paid account or use a tool that clearly grants commercial rights to all users.

Editing and refining generated images

Most AI tools let you regenerate an image with a slightly different prompt, which is often faster than editing in Photoshop. If you like 80 percent of an image but want to change the background or adjust colors, regenerating with a revised prompt usually works better than manual editing.

For more control, download the generated image and edit it in design software. Photoshop, Affinity Photo, and Canva all work well. You can also use free tools like GIMP or Photopea (a browser-based Photoshop alternative) to remove backgrounds, adjust colors, or combine multiple generated images into one composition.

Some tools offer built-in editing. DALL-E lets you inpaint (edit specific areas of an image) and outpaint (extend the image beyond its original borders). Midjourney offers upscaling and variation tools. Adobe Firefly integrates editing directly into Photoshop, so you can generate and refine without switching applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AI-generated images for commercial projects or client work?

Yes, but only if your subscription or plan grants commercial rights. DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion all allow commercial use on paid tiers. Free tiers usually restrict commercial use. Check your tool's terms before using any generated image in client work, published content, or products you sell.

What if the AI generates something that looks like another artist's work?

AI tools are trained on existing images, so they sometimes produce results that resemble real artists or copyrighted works. If you are concerned, regenerate the prompt or adjust it to specify a different style. For client work, avoid prompts that reference specific living artists by name.

How long does it take to generate an image?

Most tools generate images in 10 to 60 seconds. Midjourney and DALL-E are typically faster with paid subscriptions. Free tiers and tools like Hugging Face may take 1 to 5 minutes during busy periods. Upscaling or editing an existing image usually takes 10 to 30 seconds.

Can I edit a generated image after downloading it?

Yes. Download the image and open it in Photoshop, Affinity Photo, Canva, GIMP, or any image editor. You can adjust colors, remove backgrounds, crop, or combine it with other images. Some tools like DALL-E also offer built-in editing before you download.

Which tool is best for beginners?

Microsoft Designer or DALL-E are good starting points because they are straightforward and offer free credits. Microsoft Designer is completely free with limits; DALL-E gives you 50 free credits monthly. Both produce good results with simple prompts and do not require technical knowledge or Discord setup.