Pro Model Best Practices
Based on Google DeepMind's official Gemini Pro guide by Guillaume Vernade
Go Bananas! Pro (Gemini Pro Image) moves from "fun" image generation to functional professional asset production. It excels in text rendering, character consistency, visual synthesis, world knowledge (Google Search), and high-resolution (4K) output.
Golden Rules of Prompting
Pro is a "Thinking" model. It understands intent, physics, and composition. Stop using "tag soups" and start acting like a Creative Director.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Edit, Don't Re-roll | If 80% correct, use continue_editing instead of regenerating |
| Natural Language | Write full sentences like briefing an artist, not tag soups |
| Materiality | Describe textures: "brushed steel", "soft velvet", "crumpled paper" |
| Context | Add "for whom": "for a luxury cookbook" changes everything |
| Identity Locking | "Keep facial features exactly the same as Image 1" |
Good vs Bad Prompts
Bad: dog, park, 4k, realistic
Good: "A golden retriever playing fetch in a sunny park, captured in photorealistic detail"
Advanced Prompting Techniques
Negative Prompting
Tell the model what NOT to include using the negative_prompt parameter.
| Negative | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
no date stamp | Pro likes to add date stamps to corners |
no text | Clean images without text |
not rustic | Model tends to age things |
no watermarks | Prevents generated watermarks |
{
"prompt": "Product shot of a smartphone on white background",
"negative_prompt": "no text, no date stamp, no reflections on screen",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}JSON Prompting
For complex scenes, use JSON-structured prompts:
{
"promptDetails": {
"description": "Coffee shop scene",
"styleTags": ["Lifestyle", "Golden Hour"]
},
"scene": {
"background": { "setting": "cozy coffee shop", "details": "morning sunlight" },
"subject": { "description": "Person relaxed", "pose": "holding mug" }
},
"technicalStyle": {
"camera": { "shotType": "Medium Shot", "depthOfField": "Moderate" },
"lighting": { "type": "Natural, Warm" }
}
}Prompt Evolution Pattern
Start simple, iterate with continue_editing:
1. generate_image({ prompt: "A portrait" })
2. continue_editing({ prompt: "make it more dramatic" })
3. continue_editing({ prompt: "add studio lighting" })
4. continue_editing({ prompt: "avant-garde fashion" })Rule: Edit, Don't Re-roll
If 80% correct, use continue_editing instead of regenerating!
Pro Model Features Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Resolution Tiers | 1K, 2K, 4K output |
| Extended Aspect Ratios | 13 ratios including 2:3, 3:2, 4:5, 5:4, 21:9 |
| 14 Reference Images | 6 with high-fidelity for identity locking |
| Text & Infographics | SOTA text rendering |
| Viral Thumbnails | Identity + text + graphics in one pass |
| Storyboarding | Multi-scene sequential art |
| Structural Control | Sketch-to-final workflows |
| 2D↔3D Translation | Floor plans to renders |
| High-Fidelity Upscaling | 150x150+ to 4K |
| Photo Restoration | Repair tears, scratches, fading |
| 360 Turnaround | Multiple angles from single reference |
| Thinking Mode | Enhanced reasoning for complex prompts |
| Google Search Grounding | Factual accuracy with source tracking |
| Person Generation Safety | Configurable modes: dont_allow, allow_adult, allow_all |
Pro Model Capabilities
1. Text Rendering & Infographics
Pro has SOTA (State of the Art) text rendering capabilities.
Best Practices:
- Quote exact text:
"headline 'YOUR TEXT' in bold sans-serif" - Specify style: "polished editorial", "hand-drawn whiteboard"
- Compress data: "summarize this as a clean infographic"
{
"prompt": "Make a retro, 1950s-style infographic about the history of the American diner. Include sections for 'The Food,' 'The Jukebox,' and 'The Decor.' Ensure all text is legible.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}2. Character Consistency & Viral Thumbnails
Pro supports up to 5 character reference images for "Identity Locking." (Flash supports 4.)
The Key Phrase:
"Keep the person's facial features exactly the same as Image 1."
Viral Thumbnail Template:
{
"prompt": "Design a viral video thumbnail using the person from Image 1. Face Consistency: Keep the person's facial features exactly the same as Image 1, but change their expression to look excited. Action: Pose person on left, pointing right. Subject: Product on right. Graphics: Bold yellow arrow. Text: 'HEADLINE' with white outline.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image",
"aspect_ratio": "16:9"
}3. Grounding with Google Search
Pro uses Google Search for real-time data and factual accuracy.
{
"prompt": "Generate an infographic of the best times to visit U.S. National Parks in 2025 based on current travel trends.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}4. Advanced Editing & Restoration
Complex edits via conversational prompting:
- In-painting: Remove/add objects
- Restoration: Fix old photos
- Colorization: Manga/B&W photos
- Style Swapping: Change artistic styles
- Upscaling: Small images to 4K
- 360 Turnaround: Multiple angles from single reference
{
"image_id": 42,
"prompt": "Turn this scene into winter. Keep the house exactly the same, but add snow and cold lighting."
}5. High-Fidelity Upscaling
Input images as small as 150x150 can be enhanced to 4K resolution.
{
"prompt": "Upscale to 4K with enhanced detail",
"reference_images": ["small_image.png"],
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image",
"resolution_tier": "4k"
}6. Photo Restoration
Restore damaged, faded, or old photographs:
{
"prompt": "Restore this old photograph to pristine condition",
"reference_images": ["damaged_photo.jpg"],
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}7. 360 Turnaround & Multiple Angles
Generate multiple angles from a single reference:
{
"prompt": "Generate 4 images showing this product from different angles: front, 45-degree, side, and back. Maintain consistent lighting.",
"reference_images": ["product_front.jpg"],
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}8. Multi-Purpose Reference Images
Use references for style, branding, colors, and object placement:
| Purpose | Example |
|---|---|
| Object placement | "Place this product (Image 1) in a modern office" |
| Style transfer | "Create in the artistic style of Image 1" |
| Branding | "Put this logo (Image 1) on the product" |
| Color palette | "Use the color scheme from Image 1" |
{
"prompt": "Logo from Image 1 on device from Image 2, styled like Image 3",
"reference_images": ["logo.png", "device.png", "style.jpg"],
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}9. Dimensional Translation (2D ↔ 3D)
Convert floor plans to 3D renders, or 2D art to 3D visualizations.
{
"prompt": "Based on the uploaded 2D floor plan, generate a professional interior design presentation board. Layout: Large main image at top (living area), three smaller images below (Bedroom, Office, 3D floor plan). Style: Modern Minimalist.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image",
"aspect_ratio": "3:4"
}10. High-Resolution & Textures
Pro supports native 1K to 4K output.
{
"prompt": "Craft a breathtaking mossy forest floor. Complex lighting effects and delicate textures, pixel-perfect resolution for 4K wallpaper.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image",
"resolution_tier": "4k",
"aspect_ratio": "16:9"
}11. Thinking & Reasoning
Pro uses interim "thought images" (not charged) to refine composition.
{
"prompt": "Solve log_{x^2+1}(x^4-1)=2 on a whiteboard. Show the steps clearly.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}12. One-Shot Storyboarding
Generate sequential art with cohesive narrative flow.
{
"prompt": "Create a 9-part story featuring a woman and man in an award-winning luxury luggage commercial. Emotional highs and lows, ending elegantly. Identity and attire must stay consistent. Different angles and distances. Generate one at a time. 16:9 landscape.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image",
"aspect_ratio": "16:9"
}13. Structural Control & Layout Guidance
Use sketches, wireframes, or grids to control composition.
Sketch to Final:
{
"prompt": "Create an ad for [PRODUCT] following this sketch exactly. Transform to polished design.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image"
}Pixel Art & Sprites:
{
"prompt": "Sprite sheet of a character doing a backflip, 3x3 grid, frame by frame animation. Follow the reference grid structure exactly.",
"model_id": "gemini-pro-image",
"aspect_ratio": "square"
}Model Comparison
| Feature | Standard (Flash) | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1K | 1K, 2K, 4K |
| Reference Images | 3 | 14 (6 high fidelity) |
| Text Rendering | Basic | Advanced |
| Web Search Grounding | No | Yes |
| Thinking Mode | No | Yes |
| Speed | ~3-5 sec | ~8-15 sec |
Recommended Workflow
1. Iterate with Standard (Flash) - develop concept
2. Refine prompt based on results
3. Generate final with Pro - production qualityRelated Tools
| Workflow | Tools |
|---|---|
| Text & Infographics | generate_image with model_id: "gemini-pro-image" |
| Character Consistency | create_character, generate_with_character |
| Product Marketing | create_product_reference, generate_with_product |
| Conversational Editing | generate_image, continue_editing |
Get Help
get_help({ workflow: "viral_thumbnails" })
get_help({ workflow: "text_and_infographics" })
get_help({ workflow: "storyboarding" })
get_help({ workflow: "structural_control" })
get_help({ workflow: "dimensional_translation" })
get_help({ workflow: "upscaling" })
get_help({ workflow: "restoration" })
get_help({ workflow: "reference_mastery" })
get_help({ workflow: "prompt_iteration" })