1In one sentence
To make a series of pictures that share one look, use a style reference (--sref); to keep the same person, object or mascot across pictures, attach their picture to the prompt with the edit model.
2New words
- Style reference (--sref) — a picture whose look (colors, medium, lighting, texture) Midjourney copies, without copying what is in it. On the website you drag an image into the Style Reference section; on Discord you type --sref and a link.
- --sw (style weight) — how strongly the style is copied, 0 to 1000, default 100.
- Style code — a number like --sref 1234567890 that stands for a style in Midjourney's library. Browse them in the Styles sidebar on the website (turn on Live previews there to see your latest prompt in each style); --sref random picks one for you and shows you the code afterward so you can reuse it.
- Character reference (--cref) — the old way (version 6) to keep the same person. Midjourney lists it as replaced; do not expect it to work on current versions.
- Omni reference (--oref) — the version 7 way to keep a person or object. Still works if you add --v 7; on V8 Midjourney says the edit model replaces it, so you attach the picture to the prompt instead (Chapter 1.7).
3Why you would want it
A business needs a look, not one lucky picture. Ten social posts in ten styles look like ten businesses. With one style reference, all your posts share the same warmth, colors and medium. And if Sam's Bakery has a mascot, a cartoon baker cat, you want the same cat in every picture, not a new cat each time.
4Try it now
- From Chapter 1.4, pick the picture whose look you liked most. Open it, click More Options, then Copy Image URL, or simply drag it from your gallery into the Style Reference section of the images panel.
- Type a completely different subject: a bowl of fresh strawberries on a counter --ar 4:5. Press Enter. The subject is new; the look is yours.
- Click the lock icon on the style reference so it stays for the next prompts. Run two more subjects.
- For a character: generate your mascot once (a friendly cartoon cat baker in a white apron, simple flat illustration, white background), pick the best, then attach that picture to the prompt and type the same cat holding a tray of croissants.
5What you will see
Three pictures of different things that look like they came from the same photographer or illustrator, and a second cat picture that is clearly the same cat.
6Watch out
- A style reference copies look, not subject. If your reference is a photo of bread and you ask for strawberries, you get strawberries in that look, which is what you want. If you get bread, lower --sw or use a less busy reference.
- The same character is "mostly the same", not identical. Face shape, outfit and colors hold; small details drift. For a mascot, keep the design simple.
- Style references and moodboards (Chapter 1.11) can fight each other in one prompt. Midjourney itself says they may need extra prompt direction on the edit model; when in doubt, use one at a time.
7Go further
Save your best style picture in a folder called "Brand look" so you can find it every time. Then read Chapter 1.9 to fix the pictures that are almost right.