How to Write High-Quality Image Prompts Using the FORMTICS Framework
FORMTICS is a structured approach to writing image-generation prompts that consistently produce realistic, high-quality results. It works across subjects such as characters, products, artifacts, environments, and editorial imagery by focusing on how images are physically constructed rather than how they are stylistically described.
The strength of FORMTICS lies in order, restraint, and realism. Instead of stacking adjectives or referencing styles randomly, the framework guides you to describe an image the way a photographer, designer, or art director would think about it.
This guide explains each step, how to write it, and why it matters.
What FORMTICS Is (and What It Isn’t)
FORMTICS is:
A prompt-writing structure
A way to control realism, clarity, and consistency
Medium-agnostic (works for photos, characters, products, environments)
FORMTICS is not:
A style preset
A list of keywords
Something that should appear in your final prompt output
The framework is used internally to build prompts. The final prompt should always read as a clean, natural paragraph.
The FORMTICS Structure (Overview)
Each letter represents a decision layer in the prompt:
F — Format
O — Object
R — Role
M — Material
T — Tells
I — Illumination
C — Capture
S — Seal
You move through these layers in order. Each layer adds clarity without introducing noise.
F — Format
Define what kind of image this is
This step locks the rendering mode and realism level before any details are added.
Examples:
A hyper-realistic studio photograph
A macro product photograph
A cinematic but naturalistic film still
A photorealistic 3D render
Why this matters:
If you don’t define the format early, the model will guess. That guessing often leads to inconsistent results, mixed styles, or painterly artifacts when realism is intended.
Format should always be the first thing in your prompt.
O — Object
Describe what physically exists in the frame
This step defines the subject’s form, scale, and presence.
For objects:
Shape
Size
Orientation
For characters:
Age range
Body position
Framing (head-and-shoulders, waist-up, full body)
Examples:
A small rectangular relief tablet, slightly angled
An adult male subject seated in a three-quarter view
A luxury wristwatch resting flat
Why this matters:
Models respond better to physical descriptions than conceptual ones. Defining form prevents visual ambiguity and anchors the image in reality.
R — Role
Establish the visual priority
This step answers one question:
What should the viewer notice first?
Examples:
The raised symbol at the center of the object
The subject’s face and eyes
The product’s silhouette and surface finish
Why this matters:
Without a clear focal hierarchy, images feel cluttered or unfocused. This step ensures clarity and intentional composition.
M — Material
Describe surface texture and physical makeup
This is one of the most important steps for realism.
Focus on:
Texture (matte, rough, soft, porous)
Material type (skin, stone, fabric, metal)
Micro-detail (grain, pores, weave)
Examples:
Matte, chalky surface with fine grain
Natural skin texture with visible pores and subtle tonal variation
Fabric weave visible with slight creasing
Why this matters:
Poor prompts fail at materials. Strong prompts make the image feel touchable. This step is the biggest quality multiplier.
T — Tells
Add imperfections that prove authenticity
“Tells” are subtle flaws that signal realism.
Examples:
Worn edges and small dents
Slight facial asymmetry
Wrinkled fabric or loose stitching
Minor surface scratches
Why this matters:
Perfect objects look fake. Imperfections make images believable and grounded.
This step should be subtle, not dramatic.
I — Illumination
Control light and color
Lighting defines form more than detail.
Include:
Light softness (soft, diffused, hard)
Direction (side-lit, top-lit)
Color discipline (monochrome, muted, natural tones)
Examples:
Soft directional lighting from the upper left
Diffused daylight with low contrast
Restrained monochrome palette with subtle tonal variation
Why this matters:
Uncontrolled lighting leads to flat or chaotic images. Clear lighting instructions produce depth and realism.
C — Capture
Define composition and camera behavior
This step mimics how a real image is captured.
Include:
Angle or framing
Focus behavior
Background treatment
Examples:
Slight three-quarter angle
Sharp focus across the subject with no exaggerated depth-of-field
Isolated against a clean black background
Why this matters:
This prevents common AI artifacts such as fake bokeh, warped perspective, or random framing choices.
S — Seal
Lock the final aesthetic
This is the final constraint that prevents drift.
Examples:
Ultra-high resolution, photorealistic, editorial aesthetic
Clean, restrained, museum-grade realism
Why this matters:
The seal acts as a global override, ensuring the image stays consistent with the intended quality and tone.
Writing the Final Prompt
When using FORMTICS correctly:
You do not label sections
You do not list steps
You write a single clean prompt that flows naturally
The framework guides the order of information, not the formatting.
Build vs Refine
FORMTICS works in two ways:
Building from scratch
Use the framework to expand a simple idea into a complete, production-ready prompt. Make sensible assumptions rather than asking excessive questions.
Refining an existing prompt
Reorganize and tighten the user’s content using FORMTICS logic. Preserve intent while improving realism, clarity, and structure.
Why FORMTICS Works
FORMTICS succeeds because it:
Reduces model guesswork
Prioritizes physical realism
Mirrors how professionals think about images
Scales across subjects and styles
Produces consistent, repeatable results
The framework is not about creativity restriction. It’s about creative control.
Final Principle
A good FORMTICS prompt doesn’t sound technical.
It sounds intentional.
