GPT Image 2.5

OpenAI's latest image model. Available in two modes and different quality tiers. Direct alternative to Nano Banana.

Overview

OpenAI's latest image model, and the one to reach for when edits have to be exact.

GPT Image 2.5 keeps everything GPT Image 2 did well (text, layout, brand accuracy) and improves where it felt short with faster generations.

Available in two variants and different quality options. Same model, different speed-to-precision tradeoff.

Variant	Flare	Sunburst
Best for	Default for most work: PDP visuals, social creative, high-volume drafts	Premium campaign creative, polished product imagery, multi-step edit chains
Speed	Fast. Up to 50% faster than GPT Image 2	Slower, trades time for precision
Editing control	Strong	Tightest available
Quality reference	Above GPT Image 2 High	Above Flare on fine detail retention across edits

Start with Flare. Move to Sunburst when a Flare edit drifts or when the asset is a final.

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How to use effectively

GPT Image 2.5 rewards the same structured prompts as GPT Image 2, plus one new habit: when editing, say what to keep.

Key principles

• State the invariant. In edit prompts, name what must not move: "Keep the product, its position, the lighting and the background unchanged." The model respects it.

• One change per edit. Chain small edits instead of stacking three changes in one prompt. 2.5 holds quality across turns, so use that.

• Pick the variant per step. Flare for drafts, iterations and the bulk of the chain. Sunburst for the final pass or for the one edit that keeps drifting.

• Be explicit with copy. Exact text in quotes, with placement (header, label, CTA).

• Specify layout when structure matters. Grids, columns, hierarchy, spacing.

• Ask for transparency explicitly. "Transparent background, no shadow, no ground plane" when you need a clean cut-out.

• Use references for products and people. Fidelity to the reference is where 2.5 pulls ahead; feed it a clean one.

Effective prompting patterns

For single-element edits:

Change only [element] to [new value]. Keep the [subject], its position, scale, lighting, shadows and the background exactly as in the reference. Do not alter any text.

For copy swaps and localization:

Replace the headline "[old copy]" with "[new copy]" and the CTA "[old CTA]" with "[new CTA]". Preserve font, weight, color, alignment and position. Everything else in the image stays identical.

For product placement across scenes:

Place the exact product from the reference image into [scene]. Preserve its packaging, label typography, colors, proportions and the "[wordmark]" as shown. Lighting: [description]. Camera: [lens, angle]. Aesthetic: [reference].

For variant sets:

Create [N] variations of the reference image. Vary only [scene / colorway / backdrop]. Keep the product, its position, the composition and all text elements identical across every output.

For transparent-background assets:

[Subject or object], isolated on a fully transparent background. No shadow, no ground plane, no reflections. Clean edges suitable for compositing.

For static ads with text:

A [format] ad for [brand]. Headline: "[exact headline copy]". CTA button: "[exact CTA]". Optional fine print: "[exact text]". Visual: [scene/subject]. Brand colors: [hex or name]. Typography should feel [adjective]. Layout: [hierarchy description].

For editorial photos:

A photorealistic [shot type] of [subject], [action or expression], set in [environment]. Lighting: [description]. Camera: [lens, angle, framing]. Atmosphere: [reference style, color treatment, era]. Mood: [adjectives]. Composition emphasizes [key textures, details].

Example prompts

• Background swap: "Change only the background to a sunlit Mediterranean terrace with terracotta tiles. Keep the sneaker, its angle, scale, shadow and the 'Run light' headline exactly as in the reference."

• Localization: "Replace the headline 'Soft hands, every day.' with 'Des mains douces, chaque jour.' and the CTA 'Shop now' with 'Acheter'. Same font, weight, pink color, position. Nothing else changes."

• Colorway variants: "Create 4 variations of the reference tote bag shot. Vary only the leather color: cognac, forest green, black, cream. Keep the bag's position, the concrete background, the lighting and the 'Crafted in Paris' embossing identical."

• Transparent cut-out: "The hand cream tube from the reference, isolated on a fully transparent background. No shadow, no surface, clean edges. Preserve the 'Hold my hand!' callout and pink cap exactly."

• Product in scene: "Place the exact serum bottle from the reference on a marble bathroom shelf beside eucalyptus. Preserve label typography, amber glass color and the dropper cap. Soft morning window light, 50mm, shallow depth of field."

• Edit chain, final pass (Sunburst): "Add a small 'New' badge in the top-right corner, white text on a black circle. Keep every other pixel of the image unchanged."