2.4Style references: --sref & --sw
The essentials in 30 seconds
- --sref shows the style: palette, texture, light conveyed to other subjects — ten visuals, the same hand.
- --sw doses the strength: low = subtle, high = marked — adjust for the wanted resemblance.
- Log to reproduce: reference or code + frozen parameters — no trace, no series.
Running mini-case — Sonia signs the whole café menu
The Algiers café wants ten matching visuals (poster, menu, social): describing the style in words drifts every time. Sonia chooses ONE reference image whose aesthetics please the client, applies the same --sref to different subjects with constant --sw, and logs the reference and parameters. Two different subjects, one shared aesthetics — the basis of her future style guide (section 5.1). In 2.5 she will also freeze the model version to lock the series.
Sequel to thread 2.3: Sonia's base becomes a reusable signature — and continues in 2.5.
1. The style reference (--sref)
The style reference (--sref followed by an image URL) conveys the aesthetic signature of an image — palette, texture, light, medium — to other generations, whatever their subject. It is the heart of 'showing' rather than 'describing': ten different subjects can look from the same hand. You can provide several references (mix of signatures) and, on some versions, reuse a style code to recover exactly the same signature.
2. Dosing (--sw) and scaling up
The --sw (style weight) parameter sets the strength of the reference: low = subtle influence, high = very marked style — Sonia adjusts it for the wanted resemblance. It is the key tool of the consistent series and the brand visual identity (section 5.1): a shared reference + frozen parameters guarantee unity. It differs from --cref (character reference, section 3.5): same style versus same face. Functions and ranges change with versions — check the up-to-date documentation.
3. Series discipline
A real series combines: ONE shared --sref (or a reusable code), constant --sw, frozen parameters (same version, same --stylize, same --ar), a shared prompt formula (medium, light) where only the subject varies — then selection among several tries. Sonia documents everything (reference, version, parameters): without this traceability, impossible to reproduce the series later. And she avoids imitating the identifiable signature of a living artist (rights and ethics, section 0.4).
🔎 Concrete example — 🔎 Worked example — One signature on varied subjects
Ten café visuals, the same hand, with Sonia's reference:
café poster, steaming cup --sref [reference URL] --sw 100 --ar 4:5
café menu, pastries --sref [same URL] --sw 100 --ar 4:5
→ two different subjects, one shared aesthetics.
(lower --sw for a lighter influence)Reading: a consistent visual signature across varied subjects.
Lesson: log the reference (or style code) to reproduce the series.
Section vocabulary
- --sref
- Image (via URL) provided to convey its aesthetic signature — palette, texture, light, medium — to other generations.
Simple example: Sonia applies the same --sref to the café poster and menu.
What it is not: an input image that imposes content and composition (--iw).
Reflex: same look = same --sref.
- --sw
- Strength of the style reference: low = subtle influence, high = very marked style.
Simple example: Sonia lowers --sw when the reference crushes the subject.
What it is not: a format or randomness setting.
Reflex: wanted resemblance = adjusted --sw.
- Style code
- Reusable identifier (on some versions) to recover exactly the same style signature.
Simple example: Sonia logs the code of the signature approved by the café.
What it is not: a literary description of style in the prompt.
Reflex: lasting series = noted code.
- --sref vs --cref
- --sref conveys a STYLE (aesthetics); --cref keeps a CHARACTER (same face), see section 3.5.
Simple example: Sonia chooses --sref for the menu, --cref for the café mascot.
What it is not: two names for the same function.
Reflex: style = --sref; face = --cref.
In practice — Hands on — Conveying a style with --sref
- Choose an image whose aesthetics you like (whose rights you hold) and get its URL.
- Generate two DIFFERENT subjects with the same --sref and note the shared signature (palette, texture, light).
- Vary --sw (low then high) to dose the strength of the applied style.
- Log the reference (or style code if available) and parameters, to reproduce the series later.
Ready-to-use script — selling the consistent series to the client (30s)
'For your ten visuals, I no longer describe the style every time — I show it: one --sref reference, same --sw strength, same settings everywhere, only the subject changes. Poster, menu, social: they look from the same hand. And everything is logged — reference, version, parameters — so we reproduce the series whenever you want.'
Say while showing two different subjects with a shared signature, then the traceability sheet.
Copy-paste template — series with a shared signature
[subject A], [context A], [shared light] --sref [reference URL] --sw 100 --ar 4:5
[subject B], [context B], [same light] --sref [same URL] --sw 100 --ar 4:5
[lighter variant] same base low --sw → subtle influence
[traceability] log: reference (or code) + version + --stylize + --ar + --seedFull café menu
Poster, menu, posts: Sonia applies the same --sref at constant --sw for unity.
Soft variation
One visual must breathe: Sonia lowers --sw for a light influence of the signature.
Reference mix
Two references provided: Sonia tests the signature mix before freezing the choice.
Café mascot
The same waiter from one image to another: Sonia switches to --cref (section 3.5), not --sref.
✓ Best practices
- Use --sref to show a style rather than describing it at length.
- Set --sw for the wanted degree of resemblance.
- Document the reference (or style code) + parameters to reproduce the series.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Confusing --sref (style) with --cref (character, 3.5).
- Imitating the identifiable signature of a living artist (rights/ethics, 0.4).
- Forgetting to log the reference: impossible to reproduce the series afterwards.
Key takeaways
- --sref conveys an aesthetic signature (palette, texture, light) to varied subjects: the 'showing'.
- --sw sets the style STRENGTH (low = subtle, high = marked); you can combine several references.
- A style code (on some versions) recovers exactly the same signature — useful for a series.
- Key tool of the consistent series and brand identity (5.1); --cref is for character (3.5). Changes with versions.
48h challenge — apply tomorrow
Choose an aesthetics reference (rights OK): generate 2 different subjects with the same --sref, try low then high --sw, and log reference + parameters to reproduce.
- I can apply the same --sref to varied subjects.
- I can dose --sw for the wanted resemblance.
- I document reference and parameters to reproduce.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a truly consistent series with --sref, and how far is it reliable?
Fix ONE shared --sref (or a code), constant --sw, frozen parameters (version, --stylize, --ar), a shared prompt formula where only the subject varies — then select among several tries. Strong likeness without pixel identity: for the same face, use --cref (3.5).
What is the difference between --sref and --cref, and when to use which?
--sref = same STYLE (identity, illustration series, 5.1); --cref = same CHARACTER (mascot, illustrated story, 3.5). You can combine them: the same character in a shared style.
What does the --sref parameter convey?