Seedream 4.0: features, use cases, and best prompts

Seedream 4.0 is one of the latest ByteDance’s AI image models, delivering 4K-resolution outputs with impressive clarity and detail. It combines photorealism and multi-reference editing with faster performance and improved consistency across outputs.

This model is now fully available inside Freepik, so you can explore its capabilities directly in the AI Suite. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about Seedream 4: its key features, how to use it step by step in Freepik, prompting tips, and the best use cases.

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What is Seedream 4.0?

Seedream 4.0 is a text-to-image and image editing AI model developed by ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok and Douyin. It is part of the company’s SEED AI research program and follows the release of Seedream 3.0, which set a benchmark in high-resolution image generation and accurate typography.

Unlike its predecessor, Seedream 4 is better suited for both text-to-image tasks and image editing with references. It has been developed as a direct competitor to Google Nano Banana, offering similar strengths such as multi-reference editing, one-shot accuracy, and improved consistency.

Key features of Seedream 4.0

Seedream 4.0 is ByteDance’s most advanced multimodal text-to-image and image-editing model. It builds on the strengths of Seedream 3.0 but introduces several improvements that make it more powerful, flexible, and production-ready:

1. Multi-image editing with up to 6 references: Seedream 3.0 allowed 4 reference images, while Seedream 4.0 extends this to 6, enabling richer compositions that combine multiple products, characters, or backgrounds in one generation.
2. Native 4K resolution support: While Seedream 3.0 was limited to 2K, Seedream 4.0 generates outputs natively at 2K and 4K, making it suitable for print, large-scale campaigns, and high-end commercial work.
3. Improved one-shot accuracy: Complex edits that previously required retries in Seedream 3.0 can now be achieved in a single attempt, streamlining workflows and saving credits.
4. Better consistency across outputs: Character identity, product appearance, and lighting are maintained more reliably across variations and batch generations than in Seedream 3.0.
5. Advanced typography rendering: Seedream 3.0 introduced sharp English and Chinese text. Seedream 4.0 expands this with multilingual typography handling and improved placement for layouts like posters or ads.
6. Faster generation speed: Thanks to optimized inference, Seedream 4.0 is noticeably faster, generating 4K visuals in near real time.
7. Full integration with Freepik: As with Seedream 3.0, this new version is available directly inside the Freepik AI Image Generator and Image Editor, but with additional improvements for multi-reference workflows and editing precision.

Seedream 4.0 vs. Seedream 3.0

Seedream 4.0 delivers major upgrades over version 3.0, especially in creative flexibility and output quality. Here’s how they differ:

• Inputs: 4.0 supports multimodal input—text, image, video, and subject—while 3.0 was limited to basic prompt and image input.
• Frame Consistency: 4.0 produces more coherent frame sequences, reducing flicker and visual drift seen in 3.0.
• Motion Control: Camera movement and scene direction are available in 4.0, offering cinematic control. 3.0 lacked these features.
• Reference Blending: 4.0 can mix multiple visual references smoothly; 3.0 struggled with combining styles or elements.
• Realism and Texture: Visuals in 4.0 are more detailed, with improved lighting and texture fidelity compared to the flatter renders from 3.0.
• Prompt Depth: 4.0 handles layered or nuanced prompts better, delivering more accurate interpretations.

In essence, Seedream 4.0 is built for complex creative tasks, while 3.0 remains useful for simple, fast generation. If your workflow involves storytelling, product demos, or visual ideation, 4.0 gives you more control, realism, and consistency.

Limitations and weaknesses of Seedream 4.0

Even with these upgrades, Seedream 4.0 still has constraints to be aware of:

• No native video generation: Like Seedream 3.0, it focuses on image creation and editing. Video tasks still rely on models like Seedance or Kling.
• Stylized or abstract prompts may need refinement: While accuracy has improved, highly experimental or surreal prompts may still require iteration.
• Resource-heavy at 4K: Although faster than before, generating at 4K consumes more credits and system resources.
• Preview release: As a new model, some features are still being tested and may evolve over time

How to use Seedream 4.0 in Freepik: Step-by-step guide

Using Seedream 4.0 in Freepik is simple. The model is integrated into the AI Image Generator and the Image Editor, so you can generate new visuals or edit existing ones by following a few quick steps.

• Open the AI Image Generator.
• From the model dropdown, select Seedream 4.0.
• Enter your text prompt or upload up to 6 reference images.
• Configure advanced settings: Aspect ratio (choose from multiple presets). Seed (for repeatable results). You can use features like Style, Effects, Character, Objects, and color.
• For edits, open the Image Editor, upload your base image, and select Seedream 4.0.
• Use visual prompts (annotations or overlays) to add, replace, or remove elements.

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Best prompts for Seedream 4.0

Getting the most out of Seedream 4.0 depends on how you structure your prompts. Clear descriptions, multiple references, and style cues will help the model deliver accurate, consistent, and high-quality results:

• Be specific: Define subject, environment, and style in detail.
• Use multiple references: Upload characters, backgrounds, and products together to achieve coherent results.
• Guide mood and style: Add cues like *”cinematic lighting,” “flat lay,”* or *”ink illustration”*.
• Combine text with edits: Use prompts for text-to-image and visual prompts for image editing.
• Leverage high resolution: Use 4K mode for campaigns or print-ready visuals.

Best Seedream 4.0 use cases

Seedream 4.0 excels in scenarios where speed, precision, and consistency are essential. Its capabilities position it as a standout tool in a range of creative workflows:

• Commercial design and advertising: Generate sharp, high-resolution 2K/4K visuals for posters, brand elements, packaging, and promotional materials with minimal edits.
• Product mockups and e-commerce imagery: Quickly produce lifelike product visuals, background replacements, or styling variations, with consistent quality and lighting across assets.
• Storyboarding and concept art: Harness its support for multiple image references and batch generation to craft consistent, cinematic frames perfect for narrative planning or visual storytelling.
• Portraits and character graphics: Leverage intelligent expression adjustments and exceptional detail control to produce natural, emotionally nuanced portraits and character imagery.
• Marketing campaigns and batch visuals: Its fast generation and visual coherence make it ideal for creating cohesive image sets (like social posts or ad series) in real time, streamlining ideation and iteration.

Prompt: A red “Glaze Cherry” cosmetic bottle placed on top of two shiny fresh cherries, pink and white gradient background with bold red text “New”, beauty product photography, glossy surfaces, commercial advertising style, ultra-realistic lighting and detail.

Prompt: A close-up portrait of a teenage boy with curly dark hair and freckles, wearing a navy tracksuit jacket, standing in front of a yellow wall, looking intensely into the camera with a serious expression, candid street photography style, natural emotion captured.

Prompt: A black person leans on a city overpass railing, gazing seriously at the camera. They wear a sharp white shirt with tie and a skirt. The urban setting below features a road with passing cars, contrasted by the subject’s poised and editorial stance.

Seedream 4.0 vs. Google Nano Banana

Seedream 4.0 and Google Nano Banana (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image) are two of the most advanced AI image models available today. Both focus on high-quality generation, multi-image editing, and one-shot accuracy, but they differ in resolution, reference capacity, and specific strengths. The table below highlights their key similarities and differences to help you choose the model that best fits your workflow.

Final thoughts about Seedream 4.0

Seedream 4.0 is one of ByteDance’s most advanced image models. It offers multi-image editing, one-shot accuracy, and 4K output. It improves on Seedream 3.0 and stands as a strong competitor to Google Nano Banana.

This model is ideal for designers, marketers, e-commerce teams, and creatives who need consistent, high-quality results at scale. Its integration into Freepik makes it easy to use across workflows, from quick ideation to campaign-ready visuals.

Are you ready to use it?

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