Recraft V4: how to write prompts the model actually understands

What Recraft V4 does well

The flagship feature is true editable SVG with structured layers, not a rasterized fake. It's the only AI model on the market that delivers this, which makes it indispensable for logos, icons, packaging, and any branding work that needs a vector source.

Two tiers: V4 Standard (1024×1024, ~10s/image, 60 credits) and V4 Pro (2048×2048, ~28–30s/image, 175 credits). SVG generation runs 15s on Standard and 45s on Pro with noticeably higher quality. Recraft is #1 on Hugging Face Text-to-Image Arena, with a Figma plugin and MCP integration. Output formats: SVG, PNG, JPG, PDF, TIFF, WebP, Lottie.

• True editable SVG with layers (unique feature)
• Accurate text with proper kerning
• 100+ preset styles via the `style`/`style_id` parameter
• Inpainting, outpainting, vectorization, background removal, upscaling
• Exploration mode — 8 variations from one prompt

Two prompting modes

Recraft V4 supports two fundamentally different approaches. Interpretive (3–6 words) — the model makes its own decisions about composition, color, and tone: «Retro space station», «Minimalist coffee logo». Good for idea exploration and exploration mode.

Architectural (long, structured) — full control. Structure from global to local: A [image style] of [main content]. [Detailed description]. [Background]. [Style description]. Order: Core concept → Background → Subject framing → Physical attributes → Secondary subjects → Lighting → Camera/depth → Mood.

Elements mentioned earlier in the prompt get higher priority. That matters: the main subject always goes in the first line.

Text rendering

Recraft V4 is one of the top models for text accuracy. One rule: exact text always in quotes inside the prompt. «A storefront sign reading "OPEN 24/7" in neon letters» yields exactly that text with proper kerning.

For branding, packaging, signage, and posters this is critical — every word should be in quotes. For bilingual text or non-standard fonts, specify the font explicitly («serif headline», «display font», «handwritten script»). Size and placement also via text: «small caption bottom-right», «bold headline centered top».

Style controls and base classes

Recraft uses a `style` or `style_id` parameter instead of describing style in the text. Four base classes: `realistic_image`, `digital_illustration`, `vector_illustration`, `icon`. Plus 100+ preset styles inside each class, plus custom styles via uploading a reference image.

Writing «in flat vector style» in the text works noticeably worse than picking `vector_illustration` via the parameter. Style is a separate entity from content; keep them separate. For branding you typically want `vector_illustration` or `icon`; for marketing banners — `realistic_image` or `digital_illustration`.

Colors are set via an array of preferred RGB colors + optional background color. For brand projects this gives exact hex control unavailable in most other models.

Common mistakes

1. 1. Styles in the prompt text instead of the parameter

   «In flat vector style» or «as a digital illustration» in the prompt text works noticeably worse than picking the matching `style`/`style_id` parameter (`vector_illustration`, `digital_illustration`, `realistic_image`, `icon`). Style is a separate entity from content. Use the parameter for style, text for scene description.

2. 2. Double negatives in negative prompts

   In negative prompts write what to EXCLUDE without «no». «blurry, text, watermark» works; «no apples» in a negative prompt is a double negative — the model misreads it. If you want to remove apples, just write «apples» in the negative field without a negation particle.

3. 3. Plural ambiguity

   «Cats sitting on a windowsill» is ambiguous — the model can produce one, two, or five. Specify the number explicitly: «three cats sitting on a windowsill». This matters especially for design tasks where composition must be predictable. For icons and logos a concrete element count is critical.

4. 4. Texture language for vectors

   For vector_illustration or icon, describing «brushstrokes», «paper texture», «soft fabric» is useless — vector graphics are built from geometric primitives, not textures. Use geometric and structural language: «clean lines», «structured layers», «balanced composition», «negative space», «modular grid». For textures, switch to digital_illustration or realistic_image.

5. 5. Dramatic evaluative adjectives

   «Stunning masterpiece», «breathtaking», «award-winning» — for Recraft this is noise. The model values precision over hyperbole. Swap evaluative words for concrete descriptive elements: instead of «stunning logo» — «logo with central monogram, serif type, deep navy palette». Precision always beats pathos.

Before / after examples

a beautiful minimalist coffee shop logo

A minimalist logo for a specialty coffee shop. Central icon: a single coffee bean integrated with a wavy steam line above. Below the icon, brand name (EXACT): "BREW & CO" in geometric sans-serif. Tagline below in smaller letters (EXACT): "Slow roasted since 2018". Earth tone palette: warm brown #6B4423, cream #F5E8D3, deep black for text. style: vector_illustration. Clean geometry, structured layers, balanced negative space.

meditation app icon

Meditation app icon, flat vector style. Central element: a stylized lotus flower with 5 petals, symmetric, soft purple to deep blue gradient on petals (#A78BFA → #4338CA). White background with subtle radial glow. style: icon. App store ready, rounded square format, balanced negative space, no text.

three cats on a windowsill in watercolor style

A digital illustration of three cats sitting on a wooden windowsill. From left to right: a black cat with green eyes, a ginger tabby looking sideways, a white cat with blue eyes. Window behind them shows soft afternoon light, blurred garden in background. style: digital_illustration. Watercolor texture, soft pastel palette, painterly brush strokes. Detailed but not photorealistic.