gemini-image-generator

Gemini Image Generator

Overview

Generate images using Google's Gemini API with support for text-to-image generation, image editing, and multi-image reference inputs. Supports the fast Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model and the high-quality Gemini 3.1 Flash Image model with up to 4K resolution.

Model naming note (2026): Google's image generation models follow a "Nano Banana" branding. gemini-2.5-flash-image-preview is "Nano Banana", gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview is "Nano Banana 2". These are distinct from the conversational Gemini models. See models reference.

When to Use

• Generating app icons, logos, and UI assets
• Creating marketing visuals and promotional graphics
• Prototyping UI designs with AI-generated placeholders
• Generating game sprites and 2D assets
• Creating concept art and mood boards
• Editing or modifying existing images with text prompts
• Style transfer using reference images

Prerequisites

• Python 3.9+
• google-genai package
• GEMINI_API_KEY environment variable

Installation

pip install google-genai

Getting an API Key

1. Go to Google AI Studio
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Click "Create API Key"
4. Copy the key and set it as an environment variable:

export GEMINI_API_KEY="your-api-key"

Add to your shell profile (~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc) for persistence:

echo 'export GEMINI_API_KEY="your-api-key"' >> ~/.zshrc

Quick Start

Generate a simple image:

python scripts/generate_image.py -p "A fluffy orange cat sitting on a windowsill, warm sunlight, cozy atmosphere"

Generate with specific aspect ratio:

python scripts/generate_image.py -p "Modern tech startup banner" -a 16:9 -o banner.png

Edit an existing image:

python scripts/generate_image.py -p "Make the sky more dramatic with sunset colors" -i photo.jpg -o edited.png

Command Reference

python scripts/generate_image.py [options]

Required:
  -p, --prompt TEXT         Text prompt describing the image

Optional:
  -o, --output PATH         Output file path (default: auto-generated)
  -m, --model MODEL         Model to use (default: gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview)
  -a, --aspect-ratio RATIO  Aspect ratio (default: 1:1)
  -s, --size SIZE           Image size: 1K, 2K, 4K (default: 1K, Pro only)
  -i, --input-image PATH    Input image for editing mode
  -r, --reference-images    Reference image(s), can be repeated (max 14)
  -v, --verbose             Show detailed progress

Models

Model	Resolution	Best For	Nickname
gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview	Up to 4K	Latest model, fast + high quality	Nano Banana 2
gemini-2.5-flash-image-preview	Up to 1K	Quick iterations, prototyping, batch generation	Nano Banana
gemini-3-pro-image-preview	Up to 4K	Previous-gen high quality fallback	Nano Banana Pro

The gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview model is recommended as the default. Use gemini-2.5-flash-image-preview for faster/cheaper generation:

python scripts/generate_image.py -p "Quick concept sketch" -m gemini-2.5-flash-image-preview

API usage: All models use the same google-genai SDK with response_modalities=['Image'] in the config. The models require GEMINI_API_KEY and use the generate_content endpoint (not a separate images endpoint).

Aspect Ratios

Ratio	Use Case
1:1	App icons, profile pictures, thumbnails
2:3	Portrait photos, book covers
3:2	Landscape photos, postcards
3:4	Portrait photos, social media posts
4:3	Traditional photos, presentations
4:5	Instagram posts, portrait social media
5:4	Large format prints
9:16	Stories, vertical videos, mobile wallpapers
16:9	Widescreen banners, video thumbnails, headers
21:9	Ultrawide banners, cinematic headers

Image Sizes

Available for Gemini 3 Pro model only:

Size	Resolution	Use Case
1K	1024px	Web graphics, thumbnails
2K	2048px	Print materials, detailed graphics
4K	4096px	High-resolution prints, large displays

python scripts/generate_image.py -p "Detailed landscape" -s 4K -o landscape_4k.png

Prompt Engineering Guide

Prompt Structure

Use this formula for effective prompts:

[Subject] + [Style] + [Details] + [Quality modifiers]

Techniques

1. Be Specific About the Subject

Bad:  "a cat"
Good: "a fluffy orange tabby cat sitting on a windowsill"

2. Specify Art Style

• Photorealistic, cartoon, anime, oil painting, watercolor
• Digital art, 3D render, pixel art, vector illustration
• Specific styles: "in the style of Studio Ghibli", "cyberpunk aesthetic"

3. Include Environment and Lighting

• "golden hour lighting", "dramatic shadows", "soft ambient light"
• "neon-lit cityscape", "cozy interior", "misty forest"

4. Add Quality Modifiers

• "high quality", "detailed", "professional"
• "sharp focus", "studio lighting", "cinematic"

5. Specify Composition

• "centered composition", "rule of thirds"
• "close-up", "wide shot", "bird's eye view", "isometric"

Example Prompts by Use Case

App Icon

Minimalist app icon for a weather app, blue gradient background,
white cloud with golden sun rays, flat design, rounded corners,
iOS style, clean and modern

Marketing Banner

Professional tech startup banner, abstract geometric shapes
flowing from left to right, purple and blue gradient,
modern and clean aesthetic, corporate style

Game Sprite

Pixel art character sprite, fantasy warrior with glowing sword,
32x32 style, transparent background, retro 16-bit game aesthetic,
vibrant colors

Product Photo

Professional product photo of wireless earbuds on white background,
soft shadows, studio lighting, minimalist composition,
commercial photography style

Concept Art

Futuristic city skyline at sunset, flying vehicles between
towering skyscrapers, neon lights reflecting on wet streets,
cyberpunk atmosphere, cinematic composition, detailed

UI Mockup Asset

Abstract gradient background for mobile app, soft purple to pink
transition, subtle geometric patterns, modern and minimal,
suitable for dark text overlay

Generation Modes

Text-to-Image

Generate images from text descriptions:

python scripts/generate_image.py -p "Your description here" -o output.png

Image Editing

Modify an existing image with a text prompt:

python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Change the background to a tropical beach at sunset" \
  -i original.jpg \
  -o edited.png

Multi-Image Reference

Use up to 14 reference images to guide style or content:

python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Create a new character in this art style" \
  -r style_ref1.png \
  -r style_ref2.png \
  -o new_character.png

Examples

Generate App Icons

# iOS-style weather icon
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Minimalist weather app icon, blue sky gradient, white fluffy cloud, sun peeking out, flat design, rounded square, iOS 17 style" \
  -a 1:1 \
  -o weather_icon.png

# Fitness app icon
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Fitness app icon, running figure silhouette, orange to red gradient background, energetic and dynamic, modern flat design" \
  -a 1:1 \
  -o fitness_icon.png

Create Marketing Assets

# Website hero banner
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Abstract tech hero banner, flowing data visualization, dark blue background with glowing cyan accents, futuristic and professional" \
  -a 21:9 \
  -s 2K \
  -o hero_banner.png

# Social media post
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Motivational quote background, soft sunrise gradient, minimalist mountain silhouette, peaceful and inspiring" \
  -a 4:5 \
  -o social_post_bg.png

Generate Game Assets

# Character sprite
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Pixel art hero character, knight with blue cape and silver armor, idle pose, transparent background, 16-bit retro style" \
  -a 1:1 \
  -o knight_sprite.png

# Environment tile
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Grass tile for top-down RPG, seamless pattern, vibrant green with small flowers, pixel art style, 32x32 aesthetic" \
  -a 1:1 \
  -o grass_tile.png

Edit Photos

# Change background
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Replace background with a cozy coffee shop interior" \
  -i portrait.jpg \
  -o portrait_coffee_shop.png

# Style enhancement
python scripts/generate_image.py \
  -p "Enhance with dramatic cinematic color grading, increase contrast, add film grain" \
  -i landscape.jpg \
  -o landscape_cinematic.png

Troubleshooting

"GEMINI_API_KEY environment variable not set"

Set your API key:

export GEMINI_API_KEY="your-api-key"

"Rate limit exceeded"

Wait a few minutes and try again. For batch operations, add delays between requests.

"Content policy violation"

Modify your prompt to avoid content that violates Google's usage policies. Try:

• Using more generic descriptions
• Avoiding specific brand names or copyrighted characters
• Removing potentially sensitive content

"No image in response"

The model sometimes returns text instead of an image. Try:

• Making your prompt more specific
• Adding "generate an image of" to your prompt
• Using a different aspect ratio

"Unsupported image format"

Supported formats for input images: PNG, JPEG, WebP

Size option not working

The size option (2K, 4K) is available for gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview and gemini-3-pro-image-preview. The gemini-2.5-flash-image-preview model generates up to 1024px images.

Direct API Usage (Python SDK)

If you prefer to call the API directly without the CLI:

import os
from google import genai
from google.genai import types
from PIL import Image
from io import BytesIO

client = genai.Client(api_key=os.environ["GEMINI_API_KEY"])

response = client.models.generate_content(
    model="gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview",
    contents="A minimalist app icon for a weather app, blue gradient, white cloud",
    config=types.GenerateContentConfig(
        response_modalities=["Image", "Text"],
        # aspect_ratio and image_size options depend on model support
    )
)

for part in response.candidates[0].content.parts:
    if part.inline_data is not None:
        image = Image.open(BytesIO(part.inline_data.data))
        image.save("output.png")
        print("Saved to output.png")
    elif part.text:
        print(part.text)

Important: The generate_content endpoint is used for image generation (not a separate images endpoint). Set response_modalities to include "Image" to enable image output.

Best Practices

• Start simple: Begin with clear, concise prompts and iterate
• Use the right model: gemini-2.5-flash-image-preview for speed, gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview for quality + 4K
• Match aspect ratio to use case: 16:9 for banners, 1:1 for icons
• Save high-quality versions: Use 4K when you need detailed assets
• Iterate on prompts: Small changes can significantly affect results
• Use reference images: For consistent style across multiple generations
• Add quality modifiers: "high quality", "detailed", "professional"
• Specify what you don't want: "no text", "simple background", "no people"