# Source: https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/reference-features/style-reference.md

# Style Reference

The Style Reference feature helps you create visually consistent and appealing images from a prompt. Choose from a curated library of ready‑made styles, or upload up to three reference images to design your own custom style. Reuse your styles anytime to keep your creations cohesive and polished.

## Using Style Reference

To generate an image with a selected Style:

1. Click or tap inside the [Prompt Box](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/prompt-box) to reveal the option bar (if not already visible).&#x20;
2. Select **Style** to open the Styles popup.\
   (v3.0 models only. See [Styles in Older Models](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/reference-features/style-reference/styles-in-older-models) for older models.)
3. Select one of the available options (see details below).
4. Enter your prompt and adjust any generation settings as needed.
5. Click or tap **Generate**.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2F3D94yymz9vX5rdziK8hy%2FIdeogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2af12cfc-0d44-448b-a7ca-1a555ad946b2" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FlcENI00ND1U1H0FbQOCz%2FIdeogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f55145b5-fcc5-459b-89a3-a6e7e5e7b743" alt="Styles popup showing Explore, Recents, My styles, and available modes"></picture><figcaption><p>The Styles popup showing the available options.</p></figcaption></figure>

### Available Modes

* **Auto** – Automatically selects the most suitable style based on your prompt.
* **General** – A flexible mode suitable for most uses, including artistic and abstract work.
* **Realistic** – Produces lifelike photography with authentic colors, textures, and lighting.
* **Design** – Ideal for clean, vector-style images such as logos, posters, and other design assets.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** The **Random** mode is **deprecated** and no longer available.
{% endhint %}

#### While Using a Character Reference

If a [Character Reference](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/reference-features/character-reference) is present in the [Prompt Box](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/ui-overview/ui-components/prompt-box), the available modes adapt automatically. The selected Mode applies to the next generated image and incorporates the active Character Reference:

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FY7CqxALNEOFoqEAZuGYQ%2FIdeogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fcc673b6-a99d-43bf-b05d-f8f32047a913" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FxpmyiNK91j0w1eAB3MLN%2FIdeogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d31cacba-f3d1-49ab-9326-a2f4d6a496e0" alt="Modes available when a Character Reference is active."></picture><figcaption><p>Modes available when a Character Reference is active.</p></figcaption></figure>

* **Auto** – Automatically determines the most suitable rendering style based on your prompt and the referenced character.
* **Realistic** – Generates lifelike results, preserving the character’s facial features, colors, and textures as faithfully as possible.
* **Fiction** – Interprets the character creatively, blending stylized elements while keeping key traits recognizable.

### Style Presets

The following preset options are always available, regardless of whether you are generating normally or using a Character Reference.

* **Explore** – Select a style from a curated library of popular aesthetics.
* **Recents** – Reuse a style from your most recently used styles.
* **My styles** – Choose one of your custom styles.
* **Quick reference** – Upload or select up to three images to define a **temporary custom style** that will not be saved.

### Examples

These examples show how different style presets reimagine Grant Wood’s *American Gothic* using the same prompt.

> **Prompt:**
>
> *A stern couple in front of a white church with a Gothic-style window. The woman wears a brown polka-dotted dress with a white lace collar and a large brown brooch, while the man holds a pitchfork and wears a black suit with a light blue shirt, white collar, and round wire-rimmed glasses. The church's white exterior features vertical siding, and the background includes green trees and a red barn.*

The following images show the output produced by a few preset styles.

<div><figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FHaW2GRznEUssePW0R15a%2FAbstract%20Organic%202.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2b5d6502-c235-4583-9b1b-94fdd50f4e59" alt=""><figcaption><p>Abstract Organic.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FLqEHjJk1DBvr7GXWpx47%2FAnalog%20Nostalgia%202.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1f9ef99d-92c7-4eb5-972d-e8002314a1dc" alt=""><figcaption><p>Analog Nostalgia.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FAYJmYXEdp7BZGoYVBdkL%2FChildren&#x27;s%20Book%202.png?alt=media&#x26;token=98030d47-ec21-40ba-b90d-a87b4a07766b" alt=""><figcaption><p>Children's Book.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FXTDX8w7B32SLVdALoico%2FGolden%20Hour2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=63bd1b5f-0c08-4738-8ee0-aa04d4f0e42c" alt=""><figcaption><p>Golden Hour.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="success" %}

### Tips & Tricks

#### To generate the best images using Styles:

* **Turn** Magic Prompt **off** to avoid unintended stylistic additions to your original prompt.
* **Avoid** adding **style-related keywords** in your prompt, especially those that may conflict with the selected style.
* Short, focused prompts usually yield the best results.
  {% endhint %}

### Creating Your Own Style

In addition to using preset styles, you can also create your own custom styles to achieve a personalized aesthetic.

How to create a style:

1. Select **Style** in the *Prompt Box*.
2. Open the **My styles** tab.
3. Select **Create new style**.
4. Upload or choose **up to three images** as visual references for your style.
5. Name your style.
6. Click or tap **Create**.

<figure><picture><source srcset="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FXt2jfUTagZxFmZM9B5Xb%2FUntitled%20Aug%2020%20204%20PM%20%E2%80%93%20Ideogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9bdea57c-68a2-45be-aa2b-3e4df4ef007c" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FpUBvumQW1wmJuNZOW3Ph%2FUntitled%20Aug%2020%20204%20PM%20%E2%80%93%20Ideogram%20-%20Light%20Dark%402x.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8b5c6473-0741-4746-8b00-db8442b78736" alt="" width="375"></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Your custom style appears under **My styles** and can be reused in any prompt.

{% hint style="success" %}

### Tips & Tricks

#### **Selecting the best images for custom styles:**

* **For a strong, unified style:** Choose images that share a similar look, mood, aesthetic, and composition.
* **For creative, unexpected results:** Mix diverse references to let the AI blend aesthetics and produce surprising outcomes.
* **Using gradients to control color:** Upload a gradient-based image as one of your three references to influence the overall tone.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
The reference images for your custom styles **cannot be changed after creation**. This ensures that anyone who uses your style in the future will see consistent results based on the images you originally uploaded.
{% endhint %}

## Combine Style Reference With Other Features

Style Reference integrates seamlessly with other Ideogram features to expand creative possibilities:

* [Describe](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/describe) – Generate prompts from existing images and apply a style.
* [Remix](#remix) – Reimagine existing images with a chosen style.
* [Character Reference](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/reference-features/character-reference) – Maintain a consistent subject across different aesthetics.
* [Color Palette](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/generation-settings/color-palette) – Match your prompt to a specific mood or tone.

### Describe + Style Reference

Use Describe to generate detailed text prompts from existing images, then apply a style to create a new version.

{% hint style="success" %}
Remove any stylistic keywords from Describe results for cleaner, more controlled outputs.
{% endhint %}

Example using the image below:&#x20;

<div align="center"><figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FfleZYHu1wg2HK6Hcsz0h%2FGuitarist%20original.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bb026913-ded1-401b-9991-b4413d33944a" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Original image.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

> **Original Describe prompt:**
>
> A dynamic ~~indoor photograph~~ of a young man playing an electric guitar with intense emotion. The musician wears a <mark style="color:green;">burgundy red</mark> hoodie and <mark style="color:green;">light blue</mark> jeans, displaying an enthusiastic expression with eyes closed and mouth open in a passionate singing pose. He holds a <mark style="color:green;">cream-colored</mark> Fender electric guitar with a <mark style="color:green;">black</mark> pickguard. The setting features a <mark style="color:green;">dark green</mark> wall with two black and white framed photographs visible in the background. A <mark style="color:green;">brown</mark> leather couch is partially visible in the lower portion of the frame. ~~The lighting creates a warm, indoor atmosphere, highlighting the musician's features and the guitar's cream finish. The composition captures a moment of musical expression, with the subject positioned slightly left of center in the frame.~~

Stylistic words and sentences shown with ~~strikethrough~~ were removed or replaced to optimize how the AI interprets and applies styles. Additionally, any words highlighted in <mark style="color:green;">green</mark> — which indicated the colors of elements in the image — have also been removed.

> **Adjusted Describe prompt:**
>
> A dynamic image of a young man playing an electric guitar with intense emotion. The musician wears a hoodie and jeans, displaying an enthusiastic expression with eyes closed and mouth open in a passionate singing pose. He holds a Fender electric guitar with a pickguard. The setting features a wall with two black and white framed photographs visible in the background. A leather couch is partially visible in the lower portion of the frame.

The images below show how different styles reinterpret the adjusted prompt.

<div><figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FX6kkVStsMXLH7hCNussA%2FGuitarist%20-%20C4D%20Cartoon.png?alt=media&#x26;token=65c9705f-c60c-4148-ba8a-6c70ddf2aaa6" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: C4D Cartoon.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FiRvu0BGOmN4Z8bQeqqiE%2FGuitarist%20-%20Coloring%20Book%20I.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4ffd49fa-0f70-41fe-9762-1e5ce389f360" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: Coloring Book I.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FWWtTDfn9ur56kpcXgO1i%2FGuitarist%20-%20Nightlife.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5c908f89-c77b-4f1d-b2e9-154a42d62fd1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: Nightlife.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Remix + Style Reference

Add a Style Reference to [Remix](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/features-and-tools/remix) to refresh existing images while preserving their structure. This method usually matches the composition better than using Describe alone.

* **Higher Remix weight** → Keeps composition closer to the original image.
* **Lower Remix weight** → Produces results more influenced by the selected style.

The example below uses Remix at 60% with the same original image and adjusted Describe prompt:

<div><figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FfleZYHu1wg2HK6Hcsz0h%2FGuitarist%20original.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bb026913-ded1-401b-9991-b4413d33944a" alt=""><figcaption><p>Original image.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FOAw5JOsEkU1bB3mPsuoN%2FGuitarist%20-%2080s%20Illustration%20-%20Remix%2060.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a4ae4f56-58ad-4d3e-8a59-34d51605eaa2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: 80s Illustration - Remix at 60%.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FMopzC9GOL4LXyFQ4jIAV%2FGuitariste%20-%20Avant%20Garde%20-%20Remix%2060.png?alt=media&#x26;token=35eae76e-0009-48a7-a6dd-33620896c757" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: Avant Garde - Remix at 60%.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Character Reference + Style Reference

Combine a Character Reference with Style Reference to maintain a consistent subject across multiple images while exploring different aesthetics. Perfect for creating variations while maintaining consistency.

The following example shows how combining a character reference with different styles affects the final output.

<div><figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FYEiB3w9wMPmUzI2tLWlC%2FGuitarist%20-%20Character.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4d86382c-c8eb-4928-837f-75ed21f95cdb" alt=""><figcaption><p>Character Reference.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2F2m9YPVgBKInEQaTeakwB%2FMixed%20media.png?alt=media&#x26;token=24c97361-b0b4-428f-a0eb-557cc28e5dbf" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: Mixed Media.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2F72ZZFLwhbTLFoKG57nmE%2FGuitarist%20-%20Monochrome.png?alt=media&#x26;token=26a76238-8895-42d8-9097-1661a5dd161c" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: Monochrome.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Color Palette + Style Reference

Use them together to influence the overall tone and mood of your image. When a [Color Palette](https://docs.ideogram.ai/using-ideogram/generation-settings/color-palette) is applied, the selected colors are incorporated while maintaining the style’s visual identity.

The images below show how different color palettes influence a single style. The selected palette appears in the lower-left corner of each image.

<div><figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2F3KzcFd5vOBVoz22sAN6u%2FGuitarist%20-%20Original%20colors.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f7607314-19f6-4665-98e5-89864534a2e8" alt=""><figcaption><p>Style: Analog Nostalgia</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FSdF5aPyvgFstlM8fozY2%2FGuitarist%20-%20Pastel%20colors.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b4ca6794-8e46-4149-a7c9-915733a81c10" alt=""><figcaption><p>Analog Nostalgia — Pastel.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://1799634369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FzjhNby3LLsIikYuvxAJP%2Fuploads%2FBSzML0fiuHjbONZyCA62%2FGuitarist%20-%20Aquamarine%20colors.png?alt=media&#x26;token=74de8659-5860-429f-a308-5b0ed4d259b1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Analog Nostalgia — Aquamarine.</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** For the best results, choose palettes that enhance, rather than compete with, the style’s dominant tones.
{% endhint %}