DALL-E 3 Complete Guide: Prompts, Tips & Best Practices

DALL-E 3, OpenAI's latest image generation model, offers exceptional prompt understanding and text rendering. Here's your complete guide to mastering it.

What Makes DALL-E 3 Different?

Superior Prompt Understanding

DALL-E 3 understands nuanced, complex prompts better than most alternatives. It can interpret:

• Abstract concepts
• Spatial relationships
• Detailed scene compositions
• Emotional context

Best-in-Class Text Rendering

Unlike most AI models, DALL-E 3 can accurately render text within images—perfect for:

• Posters and signage
• Book covers
• Social media graphics
• Memes and quotes

ChatGPT Integration

When used through ChatGPT, you can:

• Have conversational prompt refinement
• Get suggestions for improvement
• Easily iterate on results
• Describe ideas naturally

How to Access DALL-E 3

Option 1: ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)

• Type image requests naturally in chat
• ChatGPT helps refine your prompts
• Easy iteration and conversation

Option 2: Bing Image Creator (Free)

• Microsoft's free implementation
• Limited generations per day
• No chat refinement

Option 3: OpenAI API

• Direct programmatic access
• Pay per image
• More control over parameters

Writing Effective DALL-E 3 Prompts

The Natural Language Advantage

Unlike other tools, you can write prompts conversationally:

❌ "woman, red dress, forest, cinematic, 8k, detailed"

✅ "A woman wearing a flowing red dress walks through a misty forest. The early morning light filters through the trees, creating a magical atmosphere. The image should feel cinematic and evocative."

Prompt Structure Template

1. Main subject and action
2. Environment and setting
3. Lighting and atmosphere
4. Artistic style or medium
5. Any specific details

Example Structured Prompt:

"Create an image of [subject] doing [action] in [setting]. The scene should have [lighting/atmosphere]. Render this in [style/medium]. Include [specific details]."

ChatGPT Prompt Refinement

Let ChatGPT Help

You can ask ChatGPT to:

• "Make this prompt more detailed"
• "Add more visual descriptions"
• "Suggest variations of this concept"
• "Help me describe [concept] visually"

Iterative Refinement

After generating:

• "Make the lighting more dramatic"
• "Change the style to watercolor"
• "Add more people in the background"
• "Make it more colorful"

Best Practices for DALL-E 3

1. Be Descriptive

DALL-E 3 thrives on detail:

• Colors: "deep crimson" vs "red"
• Textures: "weathered oak" vs "wooden"
• Atmosphere: "cozy autumn evening" vs "fall"

2. Specify Styles Clearly

• Art styles: "oil painting", "digital illustration", "pencil sketch"
• Photography: "35mm film", "professional portrait", "candid street photo"
• Design: "minimalist", "vintage poster", "modern graphic design"

3. Describe Composition

• "Close-up portrait showing only face and shoulders"
• "Wide establishing shot showing the entire landscape"
• "Bird's eye view looking down at the scene"

4. Include Emotional Context

DALL-E 3 understands mood:

• "A joyful celebration"
• "An ominous, foreboding atmosphere"
• "A peaceful, meditative moment"

Text in Images

Tips for Accurate Text

1. Keep it short: Single words or short phrases work best
2. Specify placement: "Text at the top reading..."
3. Describe the style: "Bold sans-serif font", "elegant script"
4. Use quotes: Put exact text in quotation marks

Example Text Prompts:

Create a motivational poster with the text "NEVER GIVE UP" in bold white letters against a dramatic mountain sunrise background

Design a vintage coffee shop sign that says "MORNING BREW" in a retro 1950s style with warm colors

Style Examples

Photorealistic

"Professional photograph of a cup of coffee on a wooden table, morning light streaming through a window, shallow depth of field, shot on Sony A7III"

Illustration

"Whimsical children's book illustration of a fox and rabbit having tea in a forest clearing, soft watercolor style with gentle colors"

Graphic Design

"Modern minimalist logo design for a tech startup, geometric shapes, clean lines, professional and sophisticated"

Fine Art

"Oil painting in the style of the Dutch Golden Age, still life with flowers, fruits, and a pewter vase, dramatic lighting"

Digital Art

"Concept art of a futuristic city at night, cyberpunk aesthetic, neon lights reflecting on wet streets, cinematic composition"

Limitations to Know

Content Policies

DALL-E 3 has strict content guidelines:

• No realistic images of public figures
• No violent or adult content
• No misleading/deceptive imagery
• Limited brand/logo reproduction

Technical Limitations

• Fixed aspect ratios (square, landscape, portrait)
• No direct parameter control
• Can't perfectly replicate specific styles
• May simplify complex scenes

Comparison: DALL-E 3 vs Midjourney

Pro Tips

1. Use ChatGPT's suggestions: Accept prompt improvements
2. Generate multiple versions: Ask for 2-4 variations
3. Reference real artists/styles: "in the style of Pixar" works well
4. Describe what you DON'T want: "without any text" or "no people"
5. Build complexity gradually: Start simple, add details

Conclusion

DALL-E 3's strength lies in understanding natural language and rendering text. Use conversational prompts, leverage ChatGPT integration, and don't be afraid to iterate.

Pro tip: Use our Image to Prompt tool to analyze images and understand how to describe them effectively for DALL-E 3!