If you’ve tried online text to image tools before, you’ve probably seen this problem: one prompt can give you either a clean, usable visual… or something that almost fits, but not quite.
That’s why the choice of model matters. DALL·E 2 and DALL·E 3 can both turn text into images, but they behave differently in image generation. The fastest way to feel the difference is to test the same prompt in both and keep the settings and style the same. If you want a simple place to do that, try an AI Image generator early in your workflow and compare results side by side.
Below is a practical guide to choosing the right model for the job — plus a few prompt tricks and a workflow that includes background remover AI when you need clean marketing-ready images.
DALL·E 3 is better for “exact”, DALL·E 2 is fine for “fast”
Pick DALL·E 3 when you need:
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Better prompt understanding (more “it actually follows what I wrote”)
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More detailed scenes (multiple objects, relationships, clear composition)
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Cleaner results with fewer rerolls
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Better text handling inside images (still not perfect, but usually stronger)
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More control through longer, more specific prompts in natural language.
Pick DALL·E 2 when you need:
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Quick visual exploration and rough ideas
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Simpler scenes (one subject, one background)
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Many variations fast (moodboard style) using DALL-E.
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More “happy accidents” for creative directions
If you’re doing DALL·E text to image work for business assets (ads, landing pages, product hero images), you’ll usually waste less time with DALL·E 3. If you’re ideating, brainstorming styles or generating lots of options quickly, DALL·E 2 can still be useful.
What actually changes between DALL·E 2 and DALL·E 3?
1) Prompt adherence: who “listens” better?
DALL·E 3 tends to follow complex prompts more reliably:
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“A red mug on the left, a blue notebook on the right, warm morning light, minimal desk”
It’s more likely to place things correctly and keep the vibe consistent.
DALL·E 2 can drift:
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It might swap colors, add random objects or ignore part of the prompt.
Rule of thumb: If you’re tired of “almost correct,” DALL·E 3 is the fix.
2) Detail and realism
DALL·E 3 generally produces more realistic texture and clearer details (fabric, skin, lighting, materials). It’s also stronger when you describe the image in natural language:
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camera angle
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lens style
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lighting setup
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depth of field
DALL·E 2 can look more “illustrative” or slightly softer, which is not always bad. For some brands, a less realistic look is safer and more consistent.
3) Consistency across a set (brand look)
If you need 10 images that look like one collection (same style, same lighting, same visual language), use DALL·E to generate images. DALL·E 3 usually gets you closer with fewer iterations.
But consistency still requires good prompting:
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Define a style once for your image generation model.
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repeat the key style line across prompts
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avoid mixing too many styles in one prompt
4) Text inside images (headlines, labels, UI)
Neither model is perfect, but DALL·E 3 is typically more capable when you need readable text inside the image.
Still, if the image must contain Exact copy of the generated image. (like a logo lockup, a promo headline, a CTA button), the safest approach is:
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generate the image without text
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add text later in design software
Use-case guide: which model for which job?
Marketing creatives (ads, banners, landing pages)
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Best default: textual description for image generation. DALL·E 3
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Why: stronger composition + clearer details + fewer broken results
Blog images and SEO content visuals
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Best default: DALL·E 3
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Why: it can match a specific topic and context more accurately
Also: unique visuals help you avoid stock-photo sameness.
Social media idea dumps (lots of variations)
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Best default: DALL·E 2
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Why: fast iteration and exploration
Illustrations, icons, simple graphics
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Either works, but DALL·E 2 can be surprisingly good for simple stylized sets.
Product-style mockups and clean studio shots
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Best default: DALL·E 3
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Add a workflow tip: generate clean backgrounds and then place real product photos on top (more on that below).
A workflow that saves time: Background Remover AI + text-to-image
A lot of people think “text-to-image” is only for generating brand new visuals. But one of the most practical workflows is:
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Take a real photo (product, portrait, item)
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Use background remover AI to cut it cleanly
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Generate a new background with text-to-image
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Combine them for a marketing-ready image
This is perfect when:
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your source photo is good, but the background is messy
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you need the same product in 5 different scenes
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you want quick lifestyle-style images without a photoshoot
Example prompt (background only): generate an image based on this text prompt.
“Soft daylight kitchen background, marble countertop, shallow depth of field, minimal, neutral tones, no objects in the center, photo-realistic”
Then place your cut-out product on top.
Prompting tips that work better in DALL·E 3
DALL·E 3 rewards clear structure. Try this simple prompt format:
[Subject] + [Scene] + [Style] + [Lighting] + [Camera] + [Constraints]
Example: image generation
“Single running shoe on a clean pedestal, modern studio scene, ultra realistic product photo, softbox lighting, 50mm lens, white background, no text, no logo”
Add constraints to reduce weird results
Good constraints for generating an image:
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“no text”
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“no watermark”
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“no logo”
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“single subject”
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“Centered composition” is a good text prompt for image generation.
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“plain background”
Use “negative intent” sparingly
You can add “avoid” lines, but don’t overload the text prompt. Too many “don’ts” can confuse outputs.
Prompting tips that work better in DALL·E 2
DALL·E 2 often does better with shorter prompts. If you write a huge paragraph, it may ignore parts.
Keep it simple:
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subject
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style
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mood
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background
Example:
“Minimal flat illustration of a laptop and notebook on a desk, pastel colors, clean vector style”
Then generate variations and pick the best direction.
Decision checklist: choose in 10 seconds
Use DALL·E 3 if you answer “yes” to any of these:
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Do I need the image to match a specific brief?
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Do I care about object placement and details?
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Do I need a realistic look?
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Do I want fewer rerolls?
Use DALL·E 2 if you answer “yes” to these:
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Do I want lots of quick variations?
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Am I exploring style, not precision?
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Is the prompt simple and flexible?
Common mistakes that make any model look “bad”
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Vague prompts
“Make a cool image for my blog” → you’ll get generic results from the image generation model.
Instead: describe the topic, scene, and style. -
Too many styles at once
“Minimal, cyberpunk, watercolor, 3D, photorealistic” → pick one direction. -
Forgetting the purpose of image generation
A hero image needs negative space for text overlays.
Ask for it: “empty space on the left,” “minimal background,” etc. -
Trying to generate logos or exact brand marks
If you need brand accuracy, create the background with AI and add brand assets manually.
Can you use AI-generated images commercially?
In many cases yes, but it depends on the tool’s license and your use case. Practical safe habits:
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avoid using famous characters, logos, or trademarked designs
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don’t claim “official” brand affiliation
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keep your own records of prompts and outputs for campaigns
Final takeaway
If your goal is reliable results from online text to image, DALL·E 3 is the best default for most real-world content work. DALL·E 2 still has a place when speed and variation matter more than precision.
And if you want a workflow that actually saves time on marketing assets, pair text-to-image with background remover AI: clean cut-out + generated scene = fast, polished visuals that look intentional.
