Image Generation - Picking the Right Model
Meet the Models
Schnell — Cheap & Fast (Stylised)
Idea machine. Fire off dozens of looks, storyboards, and thumbnails in minutes.
Use for: rapid concepting, moodboards, A/B variants.
Why it shines: lowest cost, lowest latency.
Trade-offs: softer micro-detail; tiny text/hands can wobble.
Dev — Balanced (Sharp & Reliable)
Your daily driver. Sharp, stable, and consistent without Pro’s price tag.
Use for: social/blog visuals, ecommerce images, YouTube thumbnails.
Why it shines: strong edges, solid lighting, dependable output.
Trade-offs: not print-perfect; a light upscale/cleanup helps.
Pro — High Quality (Pixel-Perfect)
Hero maker. Every pixel earns its place.
Use for: ads, close-ups, faces/hands, logos in image, print work.
Why it shines: highest fidelity, steadier composition, better typography.
Trade-offs: slower, pricier, and overkill for small/mobile assets.
Choose by Goal (Fast Picker)
Pick the model based on intent. Switch paths are suggested when quality needs rise.
| Goal | Example (plain English) | Best pick | Why | Switch to… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid concepting | “I need 20 moodboard looks in under 5 min.” | Schnell | Fastest + cheapest ideation | Dev for cleaner previews • Pro for tight text/close-ups |
| Web & social/blog | “Header image or IG tile.” | Dev | Strong edges + consistent look | Schnell for more variants • Pro for perfect faces/text |
| YouTube thumbnails | “Big face + bold text.” | Dev | Balanced quality & cost | Pro for typography/skin detail • Schnell for layout brainstorms |
| Ecommerce listings | “Product on white + 3 lifestyle angles.” | Dev | Clean, consistent product shots | Pro for hero/zoomable shots • Schnell for scene ideas |
| Photoreal portraits | “Close-up UGC headshot.” | Pro | Best faces & detail | Dev to test lighting/framing • Schnell for rough sketches |
| Logos/text in image | “Branded bottle mockup.” | Pro | Superior typography | Dev if text isn’t tiny • Schnell if you’re just ideating |
| Posters & print | “A3/A2 poster or magazine cover.” | Pro | Print-grade sharpness | Dev + upscale when rushing • Schnell for early layout concepts |
Speed, Quality & Cost (At a Glance)
Ratings are relative within this lineup.
| Model | Speed | Quality | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schnell | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | £ |
| Dev | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ££ |
| Pro | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | £££ |
The Smart Workflow (Saves Credits)
Ideate in Schnell → Refine in Dev → Finalise only what truly needs Pro.
You explore more, spend less, and finish with stronger results.
Quick tips:
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Start wide with Schnell — get more looks for less.
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Use Dev for 90% of your “ready-to-publish” work.
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Reserve Pro for assets that must be flawless up close.
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For print or logo work, go Pro from the start.
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Upscale when needed instead of overusing Pro early.
