Midjourney prompting: it’s both an art and a science. The kind of art that lets you create art. And science? That’s where the real magic happens—figuring out how to coax the best possible image out of an AI that’s both brilliant and occasionally frustrating. That’s where our Midjourney prompting tips come into play.
Your prompts? They’re everything, for the most part. The good news is that you can level up your skills with the tips below and start producing jaw-dropping images in no time. Of course, even with the best Midjourney prompting techniques, sometimes a simple two-word prompt is all you need to create gold. Don’t believe me? Check out our Two-Word Masterpieces from 2023 to see what I mean.
Alright, let’s get into these Midjourney prompting tips!
Tip #1: Run Your Midjourney Prompts Multiple Times
AI isn’t perfect on the first try. Sometimes, it takes a few runs to strike gold. If one prompt produces four options, chances are 20% of them will be pure magic, per the classic 80/20 rule. Rerun, refine, repeat, dominate. Also, try tweaking minor details in your prompt with each rerun to explore new variations and possibilities.
Tip #2: Experiment with Different Midjourney Versions
Not all art styles thrive on the latest Midjourney model. Most do, but not all. Want to nail retro pixel art? Earlier versions like V4 and V6 typically work best. See examples on our Midjourney Pixel Art Prompts. Sometimes, old school is just better. If you’re looking for nostalgia or specific effects, surprisingly, earlier versions might outperform the latest ones.
Tip #3: Push Creative Boundaries
Let your imagination run wild, as cringe as that sounds. Want a fire-breathing squirrel in a space suit eating a donut on Mars? Go for it. The wilder your concepts, the more fun—and sometimes unexpectedly brilliant—your results. Challenge yourself by blending seemingly incompatible themes or styles for truly unique outputs nobody has thought of yet. In this new world of creating art, the best ideas win.
Tip #4: Explore the ‘Explore’ Tab in Midjourney
Midjourney’s Explore tab on midjourney.com is a treasury of inspiration. Plus, copy and paste other people’s prompts as a starting point–talk about a shortcut to achievement. Use this tool not just for ideas but also to analyze how certain keywords influence the final image. The Explore tab is limitless.
Tip #5: Don’t Forget the Retexture Tool
The Retexture tool lets you breathe new life into old images or give your original artwork a fresh twist. Check out our Midjourney Retexture Tool Guide for tips. It’s especially useful when an image is nearly perfect but could use new textures–or a different coat of paint if you will.
Tip #6: Learn the Power of Negative Prompts in Midjourney
Sometimes knowing what you don’t want is just as important as knowing what you do. Use negative prompts to tell the AI what to avoid. For example: “–no text, no blue color.” Go deep on Midjourney Negative Prompting. This Midjourney technique is invaluable for ensuring clarity and focus in complex compositions.
Tip #7: Use The Character Reference Parameter
CREF (character references) can be one of those features that easily gets forgotten for whatever reason. However, it’s a nice piece of the puzzle, and I always suggest it as a component to use.
Want the same character to appear across multiple images? The character reference parameter will come to the rescue. Check out our guide to Consistent Characters in Midjourney. By refining and reusing reference IDs, you can build entire storylines or universes featuring your unique characters.
Tip #8: Steal Our Midjourney Prompts Like a Pro
Don’t reinvent the wheel. We’ve curated a library of Midjourney prompts you can “ethically steal” for free and edit to suit your needs. Head over to our Midjourney Prompt Library and make them your own. Starting with proven prompts saves time and ensures more consistent results with what you’re looking for.
Tip #9: Avoid Redundancy in Your Prompts
Repeating instructions in your prompt wastes AI processing power and might even cut out other details. Keep it concise but descriptive. If you’ve already included “expensive car” in your prompt, there is no need to say “luxury vehicle” as well. Instead, use that space to add new details or refine your vision further, okay?
Tip #10: Try Using –style raw
This parameter removes Midjourney’s automatic beautification, giving you greater control over the final image. It’s perfect for users comfortable with detailed prompting who want a more accurate match to their vision. Think of it as switching from auto mode to manual mode for finer creative control. It’s also useful for creating realistic-looking people and things.
Tip 11: Be Specific When Needed
Midjourney is smart, but it isn’t psychic. If you have a detailed vision, describe it in detail. Instead of “dog,” try “golden retriever with a shiny coat, sitting in a field of daisies at sunset, photorealistic.” Details make the difference. Specificity also helps eliminate guesswork, ensuring that the AI captures your intended essence.
Wrapping It Up
Midjourney is like a creative playground where your prompts are the tools. Use these Midjourney prompting tips, explore your creativity, and don’t be afraid to fail a few times before you hit that golden result. And hey, sometimes all it takes is two words to create a masterpiece, so try that too.
What’s your favorite Midjourney prompting tip or technique? Let us know in the comments below.
Until next time, remember to run the prompts and prompt the planet.
