Image-to-Image Prompt Patterns that Preserve Identity & Structure

Structure-first prompts win. Modern editors can lock identity and geometry while applying localized changes—if you give clear boundaries. Use these patterns to restyle scenes without warping faces, hands, or product lines.

Identity Guardrails

• Declare the subject, key attributes, and any do-not-change traits (e.g., brand logo, silhouette).
• Use masks/regions for localized edits; avoid vague global changes.
• When iterating, change one variable at a time to reduce drift.

Localized Edits in Plain English

Useful verbs: replace, repaint, relight, desaturate, remove, extend canvas, add reflection.

• Material change: “Keep geometry; replace sofa fabric with moss green velvet; soft studio lighting.”
• Portrait retouch: “Preserve identity; subtle skin cleanup; reduce shine; keep natural texture.”
• Relight: “Daylight from left; cooler temperature; soft shadows; keep eye catchlights.”

Multi-Image Blends

1. Provide images and specify subject order/scale.
2. Set lighting direction, temperature, and grain profile to unify the frame.
3. Use negatives to block artifacts (text, watermark, halos).

Prompt Scaffold

[SUBJECT + DO-NOT-CHANGE TRAITS] | [TARGET CHANGE: material/prop/area]
[LIGHTING: direction, temperature, softness] | [BACKGROUND: palette, horizon, depth]
[STYLE REFERENCE or BRAND MOOD] | NEGATIVES: [artifacts, extra fingers, text, watermark]

Iteration Strategy

1. Lock subject mask and horizon lines.
2. Change one variable at a time: material → background → lighting.
3. Save winning prompts as templates for team reuse.