Prompt guidelines for custom models

Last updated on Sep 21, 2026

Prompt techniques and examples for generating images with custom models in Adobe Firefly.

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When generating images with Firefly Custom Models, effective prompts focus on describing the specific visual you want to create rather than the style itself. Your custom model already understands your aesthetic from training, so prompts should specify content details like subjects, poses, settings, and compositions.

Key elements for effective prompts

Strong prompts for custom models include these components:

Clear subject description: Specify the main subject, object, or character you want generated
Pose and action details: Describe how subjects are positioned or what they're doing
Setting and environment: Include relevant background, location, or context details
Related concepts: Use ideas and terms that align with your training dataset
Caption-aligned language: When possible, use similar words and phrases from your image captions (for example, use 'ceramic mug' instead of 'cup')
Concept ID for characters: Include the unique concept ID established during training when generating character-based images
Specific materials and textures: Add details about surfaces, fabrics, or finishes to refine results

Small adjustments in descriptive language can significantly change outputs. Prompts requesting content unrelated to your training dataset may produce unsatisfactory results—for instance, prompting a model trained on colorful lifestyle photography for black-and-white illustrated spaceships.

Prompt examples by model type

Model Type	Example Prompts
Illustration	Woman in a red kayak with a penguin atop an iceberg in the background Elderly tailor stitching a quilt made of stars Astronaut planting a flag on a giant mushroom in an alien forest Toddler chasing bubbles in a field of sunflowers Mermaid tending a garden of glowing coral
Character	<Concept ID> in a green suit conducting an orchestra of woodland animals <Concept ID> climbing a rock wall with a determined expression <Concept ID> running in terror with a friend from a group of zombies <Concept ID> in a blue Victorian dress riding a bicycle through a rain-soaked city street <Concept ID> juggling flaming torches at a night market
Iconography	Lightning bolt icon for fast service Icon representing eco-friendly packaging Water well icon to put on a village map Medal icon for award-winning products Fingerprint icon for biometric security
Photography	Bowl of ramen sitting on a polished wood countertop with steam rising, chopsticks resting on the side Woman with long brunette braids and a wide-brimmed hat with large zinnias, white roses, and leaves obscuring her face, daisies, and filler greens in the foreground Yellow construction cranes against a city skyline of skyscraper buildings Large, gold rose, wireless headphones atop a stack of vinyl records
Still life photography	Ceramic teapot beside two matching cups on a wooden breakfast table with sliced citrus and folded linen Vintage alarm clock resting on a stack of hardcover books beside a pair of reading glasses Glass bottle of olive oil surrounded by fresh herbs, garlic cloves, and cracked pepper on a stone countertop Handmade soap bars arranged with eucalyptus leaves and a small ceramic dish Leather notebook, fountain pen, and reading glasses arranged neatly on a walnut desk
Lifestyle photography	Woman preparing vegetables in a bright home kitchen with fresh produce spread across the counter Friends sharing a picnic lunch beneath a large tree in a neighborhood park Man reading a book beside a window in a cozy living room on a rainy afternoon Couple browsing fresh produce at an outdoor farmers market Parent and child baking cookies together at a kitchen island
Photoshoot of a person	Woman in a tailored navy suit seated on a stool against a neutral studio backdrop Man wearing a linen shirt in a waist-up portrait with his arms loosely crossed Woman in a flowing evening dress standing beside a tall window with soft natural light Man in a casual jacket leaning against a simple studio wall with a relaxed expression Woman wearing a textured sweater in a close-up portrait looking slightly away from the camera
Isometric and 3D graphics	Isometric home office with a desk, laptop, chair, bookshelf, and potted plants 3D city block with apartment buildings, trees, sidewalks, bicycles, and a small neighborhood café Isometric warehouse showing shelving, packing stations, boxes, and delivery carts 3D workspace with a tablet, headphones, keyboard, notebook, and desk lamp arranged in a clean composition Isometric rooftop garden with raised planting beds, benches, pathways, and small trees
Explore brand expression	Outdoor café scene with two friends talking at a table, leaving open space on the right for a headline Family preparing dinner together in a spacious kitchen with clear space above the subjects for text Cyclist traveling along a coastal road with an expansive sky and open space on the left for copy Designer working at a desk in a bright creative studio with uncluttered space around the subject Group of friends gathered around a table at an outdoor celebration with room in the foreground for messaging
Backgrounds for product shots	Minimal studio pedestal surrounded by curved architectural forms with open space in the center for a product Bathroom vanity with stone surfaces, folded towels, and subtle botanical accents with clear counter space for a product Kitchen countertop beside a tiled backsplash with soft window light and an uncluttered area in the foreground Abstract geometric platform with layered arches and a clean central surface for product placement Wooden tabletop against a softly textured wall with subtle shadows and ample negative space for a product

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