Studio Look, Startup Speed

AI can crank out beautiful visuals fast. It can also quietly invent details that get you returns, angry customers, or rejected ads.

This guide is the “do it the right way” playbook: a simple workflow, reusable prompt blocks, and a common-sense policy so your images look like a real studio produced them—without the studio price tag.

What you need before you start (don’t skip this)

1) A “truth set” for each product

• 3–8 real photos (front, back, side, close-up, packaging, label)
• Exact product name + SKUs
• Dimensions (height/width/depth), material, finish
• Colors (preferably HEX codes) and variants
• What must never change (logo placement, label text, ingredients, warnings)

2) A brand kit

• Logo files (SVG/PNG)
• Brand colors (HEX)
• Fonts (names + links for internal use)
• 5–10 examples of visuals you like (your own or inspiration)

3) A claim list

• What you’re allowed to say (and prove)
• What you’re not allowed to say (or can’t prove)

If you don’t have these, AI will fill in the blanks. And it won’t ask permission.

The 7-step workflow (fast, repeatable, safe)

Step 1: Pick the job

Choose one:

• Clean studio product photo (catalog, Amazon-style, website PDP)
• Lifestyle scene (context, emotion, “in use”)
• Social creative (ad/post with headline + CTA)
• Seasonal promo (holiday, sale, limited run)

Step 2: Lock the product (accuracy first)

Use a real reference photo as your anchor whenever your tool allows it. If it doesn’t, you must over-specify: label text, colors, shape, materials, and “do not change” rules.

Step 3: Use a consistent prompt structure (don’t freestyle)

Use the formula below (copy/paste). You’ll tweak only the bracketed parts.

Step 4: Generate 12–24 options (not 200)

More isn’t better if your standards aren’t tight. Generate in small batches, pick winners, refine.

Step 5: QC with a checklist (every time)

You’re checking for “AI lies” like wrong label text, wrong cap shape, extra buttons, incorrect reflections, etc.

Step 6: Create social variants from the winner

Take your best product shot and create:

• 1:1, 4:5, 9:16
• “Feature” version, “Offer” version, “Testimonial” version
• Light and dark background variants

Step 7: Document what you ran

Save the prompt + settings + final output name. You want repeatability, not one-hit wonders.

The core prompt blocks (your “presets”)

A) Brand Lock Preset (paste this into every prompt)

BRAND LOCK:

• Brand style: [modern / minimalist / rugged / premium / playful]
• Color palette: [#HEX #HEX #HEX] (dominant + accents)
• Background preference: [white / soft gray / brand color gradient / textured]
• Lighting: [softbox studio / bright high-key / moody low-key]
• Composition: [centered hero / 3/4 angle / flat lay]
• Camera feel: [commercial product photography, sharp, realistic, clean]
• Do not change: logo, label text, product shape, number of components, cap type, color accuracy.

B) Product Truth Preset (the anti-hallucination block)

PRODUCT TRUTH:

• Product: [exact name]
• Size: [e.g., 12oz / 30ml / 16”]
• Materials/finish: [matte plastic, brushed aluminum, glass]
• Exact colors: [black #111111, gold #C9A227]
• Label text must remain exactly: “[paste the real label headline]”
• Must include: [warning icon / UPC / volume mark]
• Must not include: any extra text, extra features, extra accessories, extra buttons.

C) “Negative” Preset (prevents common AI mistakes)

AVOID:

• misspelled words, altered logos, fake certifications, “too perfect” plastic look
• warped geometry, extra parts, duplicate products, incorrect reflections
• hands with odd fingers, weird shadows, unnatural liquids
• any medical/financial/legal claims unless explicitly provided and verifiable.

Prompt Pack: Studio Product Photos

1) Clean white-background hero shot (catalog standard)

PROMPT:
Create a photorealistic studio product image of [PRODUCT]. Use a clean white background with soft natural shadow under the product. Softbox lighting, crisp edges, accurate materials and true-to-life reflections. Centered composition, 4k detail, commercial e-commerce product photography.
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

2) Premium “brand site” hero (subtle gradient + depth)

PROMPT:
Photorealistic premium studio hero shot of [PRODUCT] on a smooth gradient background using brand colors [#HEX → #HEX]. Soft rim light, gentle highlight on edges, realistic shadow and bounce light, high-end commercial photography look. Space on the right for text (but do not add text).
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

3) Flat lay (great for bundles and kits)

PROMPT:
Top-down flat lay of [PRODUCT] arranged neatly with [ALLOWED PROPS]. Clean surface [marble / wood / neutral paper], balanced spacing, realistic texture, professional product styling. No extra items beyond what’s listed.
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

Prompt Pack: Lifestyle Shots (without getting fake)

Lifestyle images sell. Just don’t fabricate things that change the truth (like showing your supplement “curing” something, or your tool being used in unsafe ways).

1) “In use” but believable

PROMPT:
Photorealistic lifestyle scene featuring [PRODUCT] used in [REALISTIC CONTEXT]. Keep product label perfectly accurate and readable, correct proportions, natural lighting, candid but polished commercial style. Background supports the story but does not distract. No brand logos other than the product’s own.
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

2) Seasonal without cheesy stock vibes

PROMPT:
Create a seasonal lifestyle scene for [HOLIDAY/SEASON] featuring [PRODUCT] with subtle seasonal elements [LIST 2–3]. Keep it realistic, modern, not cartoonish. Product remains the hero; label and colors must be exact.
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

Prompt Pack: Social Creatives (ad-ready templates)

Social Template Rules (keeps platforms happy)

• Leave safe margins for UI (especially 9:16)
• Avoid misleading “before/after” unless you can substantiate and platform allows it
• Avoid fake badges like “FDA Approved,” “#1 Doctor Recommended,” etc.

1) Feature-first creative (no text baked in)

PROMPT:
Create a photorealistic product ad background featuring [PRODUCT] with clean negative space at the top for a headline and space at the bottom for a CTA button. High contrast but premium. Brand colors subtly present. No text added.
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

2) Offer creative (sale vibe without looking cheap)

PROMPT:
Create a commercial promo background featuring [PRODUCT] with energetic but tasteful lighting. Include subtle shapes or gradients in brand colors to support an offer. Leave negative space for “Limited Time” messaging. No text added.
Include BRAND LOCK and PRODUCT TRUTH.
Add AVOID.

The “Ad-Approved” policy (simple rules that prevent headaches)

Use this as your internal checklist before anything goes live.

Accuracy & honesty

• No invented features, materials, attachments, or “included items”
• No altered label text, logos, certification marks, or warnings
• Don’t show a variant you can’t actually ship (color/size mismatch)

Claims & compliance

• Only use claims you can prove (test results, certifications, documented outcomes)
• Avoid health/medical promises unless you’re in a regulated space and properly substantiated
• Avoid “guaranteed,” “cure,” “risk-free,” or anything that reads like magic

Intellectual property

• Don’t use other brands’ logos in backgrounds (shirts, devices, signage)
• Don’t “style match” a competitor so closely it looks like a knockoff

People & consent

• If you use realistic people, use models you have rights to—or generate fully synthetic models and avoid resembling real individuals
• No minors in ads unless your business is specifically appropriate and compliant

Recordkeeping (boring, but it saves you)

• Save: prompt, settings, date, final image filename, where it was used
• Keep a “claims proof” folder tied to each ad campaign

Quality Control Checklist (print this)

Before publishing, confirm:

• ✅ Product shape matches reality (no extra parts)
• ✅ Label text is correct and readable
• ✅ Colors match your brand and your actual product
• ✅ No fake certifications/badges
• ✅ Shadows/reflections look natural
• ✅ Background props are allowed and realistic
• ✅ The image won’t confuse customers about what’s included

If any box is “maybe,” it’s a “no.”

A practical team setup (so it doesn’t turn into chaos)

• Owner/Marketing Lead: approves claims + final selection
• Designer (or Ops): runs prompts, exports sizes, maintains the prompt log
• Compliance “buddy check”: quick review against the policy (even if it’s just a second set of eyes)

This is old-school for a reason: two sets of eyes catch expensive mistakes.

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