Intermediate
How to master stylize parameters on Midjourney
Quick Answer
The stylize parameter (--s) controls how much Midjourney's artistic interpretation influences your generated images. Lower values (0-100) create more literal interpretations, while higher values (100-1000) add more artistic flair and creative interpretation.
Prerequisites
- Basic Discord knowledge
- Active Midjourney subscription
- Understanding of prompt structure
- Familiarity with Midjourney commands
1
Understand stylize value ranges
Learn the three main stylize ranges: Low stylization (--s 0-100) produces literal, photorealistic results closely matching your prompt. Medium stylization (--s 100-400) balances prompt accuracy with artistic interpretation. High stylization (--s 400-1000) creates highly artistic, abstract interpretations with maximum creative freedom.
Tip
Start with --s 100 as your baseline and adjust from there based on your desired artistic level.
2
Add stylize parameters to your prompt
Type your prompt in a Midjourney channel, then add the stylize parameter at the end:
/imagine prompt: your description here --s 250. You can place the --s parameter anywhere after your main prompt text. For example: /imagine prompt: portrait of a cat --s 500 --ar 16:9.Tip
Always use two dashes (--) before the 's' parameter, not one dash or the word 'stylize'.
3
Test different stylize levels with the same prompt
Create variations using the same prompt with different stylize values to see the range of results. Try:
/imagine prompt: mountain landscape at sunset --s 50, then --s 250, then --s 750. Compare how the same scene changes from realistic to highly stylized across different values.Tip
Save your favorite stylize values for different types of content - portraits might work best at --s 150 while abstract art shines at --s 600.
4
Combine stylize with style references
Use
--sref (style reference) with --s for more control. Upload a reference image, then use: /imagine prompt: your subject --sref [image_url] --s 300. The stylize parameter controls how strongly the style reference is applied - higher values make the reference more prominent.Tip
Lower stylize values (--s 100-200) with style references create subtle style influences, while higher values (--s 400-600) create dramatic style transformations.
5
Adjust stylize for different content types
Use --s 0-150 for photorealistic portraits, product photos, and technical illustrations. Use --s 200-400 for concept art, fantasy scenes, and creative photography. Use --s 500-1000 for abstract art, surreal compositions, and highly stylized illustrations.
Tip
Document your successful stylize values for different project types to build your personal stylize reference guide.
6
Use chaos parameter with stylize
Combine
--s with --chaos for varied results: /imagine prompt: futuristic city --s 400 --chaos 50. Low chaos (0-25) with high stylize creates consistent artistic style. High chaos (50-100) with medium stylize produces diverse interpretations while maintaining some artistic flair.Tip
Try --s 300 --chaos 25 for a sweet spot that balances creativity with consistency across your image grid.
7
Create stylize comparison grids
Generate systematic comparisons by creating a grid showing the same prompt at different stylize levels. Use the Vary (Region) tool to remix specific areas with different stylize values, or create separate generations with
--s 100, --s 300, --s 600, and --s 900 to study the progression.Tip
Create a personal reference sheet with your most-used prompts at different stylize levels for quick decision-making on future projects.
Troubleshooting
Images look too artificial or over-stylized
Lower your stylize value to
--s 50-150 for more natural, photorealistic results. Combine with --style raw for maximum realism.Results are too literal and lack creativity
Increase stylize to
--s 400-700 and consider adding artistic style keywords like 'painterly', 'impressionist', or 'cinematic' to your prompt.Stylize parameter seems to have no effect
Check your syntax - use
--s not -s or --stylize. Ensure the value is between 0-1000. Some prompts with very specific technical terms may override stylization.Inconsistent results with same stylize value
Add
--chaos 0 for more consistent results, or use a seed parameter --seed 12345 to reproduce exact variations. Remember that different model versions may interpret stylize values differently.Ready to get started with Midjourney?
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