What Are Tag Prompts?
Tag prompts are concise keywords that describe the subject, actions, context, and style of an image. Models use these tags to interpret and generate the desired output. Crafting effective tag prompts is a skill that allows you to achieve precise and high-quality results consistently.
Basic Structure
A typical tag prompt follows this order:
[subject], [pose/action], [clothing], [accessories], [environment/background], [art style/quality]
Adhering to this structure ensures clarity and coherence, although you can rearrange tags to prioritize specific elements.
Examples with Explanations
Simple Prompt:
1girl, smiling, red dress, holding a flower, garden, vibrant colors
Explanation: Describes a cheerful girl in a vibrant garden, focusing on clear subject and action.
Stylized Prompt:
anime-style, 1boy, standing, futuristic armor, neon cityscape, glowing lights
Explanation: Combines artistic style and thematic setting for a sci-fi effect.
Detailed Prompt:
1girl, long wavy hair, wearing a blue kimono, cherry blossom trees, sunset, intricate details
Explanation: Focuses on detailed clothing, setting, and lighting for a traditional aesthetic.
Useful Tags and Categories
| Category | Example Tags |
|---|---|
| Subjects | 1girl, 1boy, group, animal, mythical creature, anthropomorphic, kemonomimi |
| Clothing | dress, armor, hoodie, kimono, suit, school uniform, gothic lolita |
| Actions | running, sitting, reading, holding, dancing, jumping, playing an instrument |
| Accessories | glasses, hat, scarf, backpack, necklace, animal ears, tail, paws |
| Environments | forest, cityscape, beach, mountains, underwater, space, desert |
| Art Styles | realistic, watercolor, anime, cyberpunk, oil painting, steampunk, minimalist |
Advanced Techniques
1. Layered Prompts: Combine multiple layers of details for complex results. For example:
1girl, wearing a black coat, holding an umbrella, in the rain, cinematic lighting
2. Using Negatives: To exclude elements, use negative prompts. For example:
1boy, sitting, sunset, (no glasses), (no animals)
3. Emphasis: Use parentheses to emphasize specific elements:
1girl, (long flowing hair:1.3), (golden light:1.2), forest
4. Combining Styles: Mix art styles for unique results:
anime-style, (watercolor:1.2), detailed line art
Important Warning
If your prompt is too short or vague, the model might generate unexpected or inappropriate content, including 18+ imagery. Always use detailed and descriptive tags to guide the model effectively.
Troubleshooting
- Conflicting Tags: Avoid contradictory terms like
daytimeandstarry night. - Overloading: Using too many tags can confuse the model and produce muddled results.
- Ambiguity: Be specific to prevent unintended interpretations.
- Unbalanced Emphasis: Don't emphasize too many features, as it can overwhelm the model.
Helpful Tags
SFW (Can Be Used for NSFW as Well): Tags that help define subjects for all audiences.
solo / solo focus: Focuses on one subject in the image. Can be used for simplicity and clarity.
intricate details: Adds small, refined details to the image for a more polished result.
4k / 8k / 16k: Useful for capturing wide-angle views and improving image quality when characters are farther away.
close-up: Adds more detail to the specific areas you want to highlight (e.g., a close-up of an open mouth). Use with subject-specific tags like open mouth.
*subject or body part* focus: Focuses on a specific body part while still showing the background (e.g., a shot focusing on a character's head and chest).
small face: Shrinks the face or moves it backward, often resulting in a distant perspective.
Positions: Tags that describe the subject's pose or positioning. Complex depending on desired effect.
lying on back / on stomach / on side: Lying positions; use upside-down for head-focused shots.
standing / walking: Basic standing and walking poses.
running: Use with motion lines for action shots.
Camera Angles: Crucial for conveying perspectives in your image.
from top / below / side / behind: Basic camera angles.
full body: Captures the subject from head to toe.
low angle view: A shot from below the subject.
overhead view: A top-down perspective.
dutch angle: An angled shot to add dynamism to the image.
Partially Capturing Subject:
upper body / lower body: Captures the upper or lower part of the subject.
portrait: A headshot or chest-focused shot.
Conclusion
Effective tag prompts can significantly enhance the quality of generated images. With practice, you’ll master the art of prompt crafting to consistently create stunning visuals tailored to your needs. Experiment and iterate as you develop your unique style.