Which AI Model Should I Choose? NeuralPrint’s Practical Model Guide (Edit Mode + PNG Mode)
A clear, creative, customer-friendly guide to every image model in NeuralPrint: when to use GPT-Image-1, Google Gemini 2.5 Flash (aka Nano Banana) for editing, FLUX 1.1 (Pro/Ultra), FLUX Kontext (Pro/Max), Imagen 4 (Fast/Ultra), and DALL·E 3 — plus Edit Mode, PNG Mode, and prompt templates.
Which AI Model Should I Choose?
Picking the right model is like picking the right brush. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to NeuralPrint’s model selector — what each model is great at, when to use Edit Mode vs PNG Mode, and how to speed things up with prompt templates.
TL;DR – Fast Picks
- Need transparent backgrounds for print (logos, stickers, clean cutouts)? Use GPT‑Image‑1 with PNG Mode.
- Editing an existing photo/design with precise instructions or multiple reference images? Enable Edit Mode → we use Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Google’s specialized editing model ("Nano Banana").
- Quick, high‑quality ideation (text → image) at low cost? FLUX 1.1 Pro.
- Ultra high‑res for print (up to ~4MP)? FLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra.
- Text‑guided edits, typography changes, label replacements? FLUX Kontext Pro / Kontext Max (Max = better typography; Pro = faster, cheaper).
- Balanced Google photorealism + safety filters? Imagen 4 (Generate / Fast / Ultra).
- Creative, stylistic compositions? DALL·E 3.
How the Model Selector Works (in the Design Lab)
Our selector smart-filters models as you toggle modes or add reference images:
- PNG Mode: Shows models that perform best with transparent outputs. We’ll also add clarity to your prompt to encourage clean, transparent backgrounds suitable for printing.
- Reference images: With 1 image, we show models that support editing or style transfer. With 2–4 images, we offer models designed to blend/fuse multiple references.
- Edit Mode: Prioritizes Google’s editor model path (see below) and surfaces helpful prompt templates.
Edit Mode (Google’s Nano Banana under the hood)
When you toggle Edit Mode and add reference images, we use Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Google’s specialized editing model (also called "Nano Banana").
What it’s great at:
- Character consistency across edits (people, pets, products)
- Prompt‑based edits: “Remove the background,” “Replace the sky with golden hour clouds,” “Change the text to ‘Summer Drop’”
- Multi‑image fusion: Place element A into scene B; style‑transfer between images
Tips:
- Upload high‑quality sources (keep long edge ≤ ~2048 px for best results)
- Be explicit about what to change vs what to preserve
- Iterate in small, focused steps for complex transformations
Edit Mode uses Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image(Nano Banana) for advanced edits
References:
- Google Gemini image editing announcement and docs (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image)
- Replicate model cards:
google/gemini-2.5-flash-image,google/nano-banana
PNG Mode (Transparent Backgrounds for Merch)
When PNG Mode is enabled, we bias for models and prompts that yield transparent backgrounds and crisp edges — perfect for t‑shirts, mugs, stickers, and cutout prints. It’s especially effective with GPT‑Image‑1.
Good for:
- Logos, badges, icons, typography designs
- Designs that must overlay any garment color
PNG Mode guides generation toward transparent backgrounds and print‑ready edges
Models, Strengths, and When to Use Them
Below are the exact models available in the selector today, with a plain‑English take on what each is best at. We’ve linked official docs where available and included visual slots for examples.
1) GPT‑Image‑1 (OpenAI)
ID: gpt-image-1
Best for: Transparent backgrounds (PNG), prompt fidelity, style transfer with references
Why pick it: Great control, flexible sizing, supports native PNG transparency
Considerations: Higher cost, slightly slower
References: OpenAI Images API docs
2) Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (via Replicate)
ID: google/gemini-2.5-flash-image
Best for: Balanced speed + quality, edits when you add photos
Why pick it: Reliable multi‑image fusion and edits; routes to Nano Banana for advanced edits
Considerations: Uses Replicate; transparent backgrounds vary by prompt
References: Replicate model card; Google Gemini image editing overview
3) Google Imagen 4 (Generate / Fast / Ultra)
IDs:
imagen-4.0-generate-preview-06-06 (balanced quality)
imagen-4.0-fast-generate-preview-06-06 (lower latency)
imagen-4.0-ultra-generate-preview-06-06 (highest fidelity)
Best for: Photorealism with strong safety filters
Why pick it: Google’s watermarking and safety; Ultra for top fidelity
Considerations: Transparent PNGs via post‑processing; Ultra is slower
References: Google Vertex AI Imagen 4 docs (Generate / Fast / Ultra)
4) FLUX 1.1 Pro (Black Forest Labs, via Replicate)
ID: black-forest-labs/flux-1.1-pro
Best for: Fast, high‑quality text‑to‑image at low cost
Why pick it: Great prompt adherence, diverse outputs, very good for ideation
Considerations: No native transparent PNG; use PNG Mode guidance and clean‑up if needed
References: Replicate model card
5) FLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra (Black Forest Labs, via Replicate)
ID: black-forest-labs/flux-1.1-pro-ultra
Best for: Ultra‑high‑res (≈ up to 4MP) print‑grade generation
Why pick it: Maximum detail for posters, apparel prints, and product artwork
Considerations: Higher cost, slightly slower than Pro
References: Replicate model card
6) FLUX Kontext Pro / Kontext Max (Black Forest Labs, via Replicate)
IDs:
black-forest-labs/flux-kontext-pro (faster, cheaper)
black-forest-labs/flux-kontext-max (premium quality)
Best for: Text‑guided edits, typography changes, label swaps, style transfers
Why pick it: Context‑aware, strong control over what changes vs what stays
Considerations: Edits match your input image’s resolution; Max has better typography but costs more
References: Replicate model cards (Kontext Pro / Kontext Max)
7) DALL·E 3 (OpenAI)
ID: dall-e-3
Best for: Creative, illustrative compositions with cinematic mood
Why pick it: Expressive styles and compositions
Considerations: Generation‑only (no edit/variation endpoint); sizes limited
References: OpenAI Images API docs
Prompt Templates (Turbo‑start Your Edits)
These templates appear automatically when you enable Edit Mode. They’re great jumping‑off points — just replace the bracketed parts with your specifics.
Using the provided image of [subject], please [add/remove/modify] [element] to/from the scene. Ensure the change is [how the change should integrate].
Using the provided image, change only the [specific element] to [new element/description]. Keep everything else exactly the same (style, lighting, composition).
Transform the photograph of [subject] into the artistic style of [artist/art style]. Preserve composition but render it with [stylistic elements].
Create a new image by combining elements from the provided images. Take the [element from image 1] and place it with/on the [element from image 2]. The final image should be [describe the final scene].
Using the provided images, place [element from image 2] onto [element from image 1]. Ensure features of [image 1 element] remain unchanged. The added element should [how it should integrate].
Quick Recommendations by Job‑To‑Be‑Done
- Logo or wordmark for any garment color → GPT‑Image‑1 + PNG Mode
- Product photo edits (consistent brand shots) → Edit Mode
- Fast brainstorming / mood boards → FLUX 1.1 Pro
- Poster‑grade print art → FLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra
- Label/text replacements on packaging → FLUX Kontext Max (or Pro for speed)
- Google‑guardrails + photorealism → Imagen 4 (Generate / Ultra)
- Stylized illustrations → DALL·E 3
Where to Start
- Open the Design Lab.
- Toggle PNG Mode if you need transparent backgrounds, or Edit Mode if you’ll upload photos.
- Pick a model using the guidance above.
- Use a prompt template (or Enhance Prompt) and generate.
Happy creating — and if you’re torn between two models, generate with both and compare! It’s the easiest way to get a feel for their style.