Purpose
This SOP standardizes how the team requests images from ChatGPT. Instead of writing a fresh, lengthy prompt every time, each code below carries a full visual brief inside a single word. The result is faster output and images that stay visually consistent across a campaign or content batch.
Who this is for
Anyone on the team producing marketing visuals, product photography, or social content, including founders working solo who need fast creative without briefing a designer.
Tools needed
- ChatGPT with image generation enabled
- A clear description of the product or subject you are generating an image for
- Brand reference details on hand: colors, tone, and any product specs worth including
Procedure
Identify your content goal
Before opening ChatGPT, decide what category of visual you actually need. This narrows down which code to reach for and stops you from writing a vague, catch-all prompt.
- a. Product photography for a listing or website
- b. Lifestyle or social content showing the product in use
- c. A technical or explainer visual showing how something works
- d. Advertising creative meant to sell or stop the scroll
Choose your base code
Open the full reference library below and pick the single code that matches your goal from step one. Treat this as your base layer. Everything else you add builds on top of it.
Example base code: /producthero
Add product and context details (optional)
A code alone gives the model a style to follow but nothing to render. Write one or two sentences describing the actual product, the setting, and any brand colors or materials that matter.
- a. Name the product and its key material or finish
- b. Describe the background or setting you want
- c. Mention brand colors if they need to appear in the shot
Stack a style modifier (optional)
If the base code needs a specific visual treatment, add one second code from a different category. Two codes is the reliable ceiling. See the combination examples for tested pairings.
Generate and refine
Run the prompt. Review the output against your brand guidelines before using it anywhere.
- a. If lighting or color feels off, adjust the written description rather than rewriting the whole prompt
- b. If the composition is close but not exact, ask ChatGPT to regenerate with one specific change
- c. Save prompts that worked well so the team can reuse them
Full code reference
Codes are grouped by the outcome they produce. Use this as your lookup table during step two.
Product photography
| Code | What it generates |
|---|---|
| /producthero | Premium hero shot of the product |
| /productshot | Clean studio product photography |
| /detailshot | Macro or detail photography on one feature |
| /flatlay | Top-down arranged product composition |
| /packaging | Packaging or product presentation shot |
| /3d-render | Photorealistic 3D product render |
| /mockup | Product placed into a realistic mockup scene |
| /ecommerce | Marketplace-ready product image |
Lifestyle and social
| Code | What it generates |
|---|---|
| /lifestyle | Product being used in a realistic setting |
| /ugc | UGC-style authentic social image |
| Instagram-focused visual | |
| /story | Vertical Story or Reel creative |
| /socialpost | Social-media-ready creative |
| /testimonial | Customer or testimonial-style creative |
| /unboxing | Product unboxing scene |
| /thumbnail | Attention-grabbing thumbnail |
Technical and explainer
| Code | What it generates |
|---|---|
| /explodedview | Exploded visualization showing internal components |
| /cutaway | Cutaway view showing what is inside |
| /technical | Technical or engineering-style visualization |
| /infographic | Product or feature infographic |
| /howitworks | Step-by-step visual explaining the product |
| /featurefocus | Close-up highlighting one product feature |
| /comparison | Side-by-side product comparison |
| /beforeafter | Before-and-after comparison |
| /problem-solution | Visual showing problem, product, then solution |
Creative and advertising
| Code | What it generates |
|---|---|
| /adscreative | High-converting ad creative or advertisement |
| /bts | Behind-the-scenes, production-style image |
| /concept | Creative or conceptual advertising visual |
| /cinematic | Cinematic commercial-style image |
| /minimal | Minimal premium product composition |
| /luxury | High-end luxury advertising aesthetic |
| /billboard | Billboard or outdoor advertising creative |
Combination system
Stack one base code from the product or technical tables with one style code from the lifestyle or creative tables. The base sets the subject. The second code sets the treatment.
FAQs
Codes work as style shorthand, not magic words. Pair the code with a specific product description, setting, and brand detail so there is enough for the model to act on.
Two is the reliable ceiling. Stacking three or more codes usually produces a muddled result because the styles compete with each other.
The underlying descriptions transfer to most image generation tools. The shorthand itself is a personal naming convention, so you may need to spell out the full description in tools that do not recognize custom shorthand.
Image models introduce natural variation between runs. Lock down lighting, angle, and background details in your written prompt if you need closer consistency across a batch.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| Image looks flat or generic | Add specific lighting and material detail after the code. Vague nouns produce vague images. |
| Brand colors are missing | Name the exact color and where it should appear, for example on the packaging or the background. |
| Two codes produce a chaotic result | Drop back to one base code plus one modifier and rerun. |
| Product proportions look wrong | Describe the product's real dimensions or shape in plain language rather than relying on the code alone. |
| Output feels off-brand | Reference your brand guide directly in the prompt, including tone words like warm, minimal, or premium. |
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