Where Nano Banana (NB1) sits
Nano Banana is built on Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image — the first-generation model in the family, known for speed and Chinese prompt understanding. It remains a great tool for getting started and prototyping quickly.
On Nano Banana, the production model is the newer Nano Banana 2 Lite — new accounts get 20 sign-up credits plus 2 more each daily check-in, enough to prototype at 1K (1 credit per image) for free. The prompt patterns in this guide carry over directly.
What it's best for
- White-background product shots (meeting Taobao, JD, Amazon listing standards)
- Lifestyle shots (product placed in a real-world usage context)
- Reference-based editing (upload an existing product image and adjust background, lighting, or angle)
- Rapid prototyping (test a visual direction without burning through expensive credits)
White-background product shot prompt structure
The keywords "pure white background" and "no shadows" are essential — without them the model may produce a background with subtle gray tones or cast shadows.
- [Product name and description] on a pure white background, professional studio photography,
- soft even lighting from both sides, perfectly centered,
- no shadows, commercial grade, hyperdetailed.
Lifestyle shot prompt structure
Be specific about the scene. Don't just write "at home" — write "on a wooden dining table, afternoon sunlight coming through the window at an angle."
- Place this [product] in a [specific scene description],
- [person or user description (optional)],
- [lighting: warm afternoon sunlight / natural diffused light],
- lifestyle photography, [style: editorial / commercial / candid].
Using reference images
When uploading a reference image, your prompt should clearly specify two things:
If you upload an image without specifying this in your prompt, how much the model uses the reference is unpredictable.
- What to preserve: "Based on the reference image, maintain the exact product color, shape, and logo position"
- What to change: "Change the background to white studio setting, adjust lighting to dramatic side light"
Known limitations
- Text rendering: can't reliably render text on products. For important text, add it in post using Canva or Photoshop.
- Leather and metallic reflections: detailed materials may require multiple iterations. Pro is better for these.
- Real celebrity faces: restricted by Google content policy. Use role descriptions instead: "a woman in her 20s, professional look."