How to Write Effective Prompts for the AI Image Editor & Generator

Overview

Agency AI's AI Tools let you edit existing images and generate new ones directly inside the ad creation flow. The quality of your results depends heavily on how you write your prompts. This guide covers best practices, formulas, and ready-to-use examples so you can create scroll-stopping ad creative without needing a designer.

Quick Start: The Prompt Formula

Great prompts follow a simple structure:

[Subject] + [Setting/Context] + [Style/Mood] + [Lighting] + [Composition]

You don't need all five elements every time, but the more detail you provide, the better your results will be.

Example using the formula:

"A woman wearing a neon tie-dye hoodie at an outdoor music festival, vibrant and energetic mood, golden hour lighting, medium shot with crowd blurred in the background"

This is far more effective than "person wearing hoodie" because it gives the AI a clear picture of exactly what you want.

Writing Prompts for the AI Image Generator

The AI Image Generator creates images from scratch based on your text description. Here's how to get the best results.

Be Specific About Your Product

Tell the AI exactly what the product looks like rather than relying on generic terms.

Weak: "A t-shirt on a model" Strong: "A fitted black crewneck t-shirt with a bold geometric print on the front, worn by a young woman standing against a clean concrete wall"

Weak: "Jewelry photo" Strong: "A delicate gold chain necklace with a small sun pendant, laid flat on a cream linen fabric, soft natural window light from the left"

Describe the Setting and Context

Where the product is and how it's being used tells a story that connects with your audience.

Lifestyle context: "A man wearing wireless earbuds while jogging through a city park at sunrise, activewear, motion blur on the background"

Flat lay context: "An overhead flat lay of a skincare routine on a marble countertop — cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and jade roller arranged neatly with a small eucalyptus sprig"

In-use context: "Close-up of hands holding a ceramic coffee mug with a speckled glaze, steam rising, cozy morning kitchen background slightly out of focus"

Set the Mood and Style

Mood words steer the overall feel of the image. Use them intentionally based on your brand and audience.

Energetic/Bold: vibrant, bold, dynamic, high-contrast, punchy, electric, saturated Calm/Minimal: soft, minimal, muted tones, serene, airy, clean, understated Luxurious/Premium: elegant, rich, polished, sleek, refined, dark and moody Warm/Inviting: cozy, golden, warm tones, intimate, homey, organic Fun/Playful: colorful, bright, whimsical, cheerful, poppy, lighthearted

Example: "A stack of handmade soaps on a wooden cutting board, warm and inviting mood, soft natural lighting, rustic farmhouse aesthetic"

Specify Lighting

Lighting dramatically changes how an image feels. A few terms that work well:

Natural light — soft, realistic, everyday feel Golden hour — warm, glowy, flattering (great for lifestyle and fashion) Studio lighting — clean, professional, even illumination Dramatic side lighting — moody, high-contrast, editorial feel Bright and airy — light, fresh, modern (popular for skincare and wellness) Backlit — silhouette effects, halo glow, dreamy atmosphere

Specify Composition and Framing

Tell the AI how the shot should be framed:

Close-up — tight on the product, great for detail shots Medium shot — subject from the waist up, good for lifestyle Wide angle — shows the full scene, good for environment and context Overhead / flat lay — shot from directly above, great for product arrangements Low angle — looking up at the subject, adds power and presence Rule of thirds — subject off-center for a more dynamic composition Space for text overlay on the left/right — leaves room for you to add headlines or copy in post-production

Writing Prompts for the AI Image Editor

The AI Image Editor modifies an image you've already uploaded. Your prompts should focus on what to change rather than describing an entire scene.

Effective Edit Prompts

Background changes:

• "Remove the background and replace it with a clean white studio backdrop"
• "Replace the background with a blurred beach scene at sunset"
• "Make the background a solid soft pink color"

Color and tone adjustments:

• "Make the colors more vibrant and saturated"
• "Convert to a warm, golden tone"
• "Increase the contrast and make the shadows deeper"
• "Give this a cool blue-toned aesthetic"

Lighting fixes:

• "Brighten the image and add soft natural lighting"
• "Remove harsh shadows from the face"
• "Add warm golden hour lighting to the scene"

Composition adjustments:

• "Zoom out slightly and add empty space on the left side for text"
• "Crop tighter on the product"
• "Center the subject in the frame"

Object and detail edits:

• "Remove the object in the background behind the model"
• "Change the shirt color from red to navy blue"
• "Add a subtle reflection beneath the product"

Tips for Better Edits

• Focus on one or two changes per edit. Asking for too many changes at once can produce unpredictable results.
• If the first result isn't right, click "Start over" and rephrase your instructions. Different wording often produces meaningfully different outcomes.
• Use the Image size dropdown to select the right format for your target placement (Feed for 1:1 square, or the appropriate vertical option for Stories/Reels) before processing.

Ready-to-Use Prompt Templates by Industry

Below are prompt templates you can copy and customize for your store. Replace the bracketed text with your specific product details.

Fashion and Apparel

"A [man/woman] wearing [specific product description] in a [setting], [mood] mood, [lighting] lighting, [shot type] with [background detail]"

Example: "A woman wearing an oversized vintage-wash denim jacket over a white tank top, walking through a sunlit downtown street, effortlessly cool mood, golden hour lighting, medium shot with storefronts blurred in the background"

Beauty and Skincare

"[Product description] arranged on a [surface], [mood] aesthetic, [lighting] lighting, [shot type], [accent details]"

Example: "A glass bottle of hyaluronic acid serum with a dropper on a white marble surface, clean and minimal aesthetic, bright natural window light, close-up with a small green leaf and water droplets as accents"

Home and Lifestyle

"[Product] in a [room/setting], [style] interior style, [lighting], [composition]"

Example: "A hand-poured soy candle in an amber jar on a bedside table, Scandinavian interior style with neutral tones, soft warm lamplight, close-up with a book and reading glasses slightly out of focus in the background"

Food and Beverage

"[Product/dish] on a [surface/setting], [mood] mood, [lighting], [shot type], [styling details]"

Example: "A bag of artisan whole-bean coffee next to a freshly poured latte with foam art, on a dark walnut table, rich and cozy mood, morning window light, overhead flat lay with scattered coffee beans and a linen napkin"

Fitness and Outdoors

"[Person using product] in a [setting], [mood] mood, [lighting], [composition]"

Example: "A runner wearing lightweight trail shoes on a mountain path at dawn, adventurous and determined mood, soft sunrise lighting, low angle shot with mountain peaks in the background"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too vague: "A nice photo of my product" gives the AI nothing to work with. Always include specifics about the subject, setting, and style.

Too many competing ideas: "A woman on a beach but also in a coffee shop wearing a dress and holding a laptop with a dog" confuses the AI. Keep your scene focused on one clear concept.

Ignoring the placement format: If you're generating an image for Stories or Reels, mention "vertical composition" or "9:16 format" in your prompt. For Feed ads, "square composition" or "1:1 format" ensures the framing works for that placement.

Forgetting about text space: If you plan to add text overlays to your ad image, include "with empty space on the [left/right/top] for text" in your prompt so the AI leaves room.

Using brand names or copyrighted references: Avoid referencing specific brands, celebrities, or copyrighted characters in your prompts. Instead, describe the style or aesthetic you're going for.

Experiment and Iterate

The best ad creative comes from testing. Generate multiple versions with slightly different prompts — adjust the mood, change the lighting, try a different setting — and run them against each other in your campaigns. Agency AI's optimization engine will automatically prioritize the creative that performs best, so the more variations you give it, the faster it finds what resonates with your audience.

Need Help?

If you're having trouble getting the results you want from the AI Tools, reach out to our support team with examples of what you're trying to create. We're happy to help you craft prompts that produce great creative for your store.