Recraft V4
Recraft V4 is Recraft's third-generation image model, built with input from working designers. It delivers improved photorealism with realistic skin, natural textures, clean lighting, varied composition, and original character generation.
import { experimental_generateImage as generateImage } from 'ai';
const result = await generateImage({ model: 'recraft/recraft-v4', prompt: 'A red balloon on a wooden table.'});What To Consider When Choosing a Provider
Zero Data Retention
AI Gateway does not currently support Zero Data Retention for this model. See the documentation for models that support ZDR.Authentication
AI Gateway authenticates requests using an API key or OIDC token. You do not need to manage provider credentials directly.
Recraft V4 is optimized for speed and cost-efficiency. Confirm per-image rates. It fits iterative design workflows where rapid generation cycles matter. For maximum resolution and print-ready output, evaluate Recraft V4 Pro.
When to Use Recraft V4
Best For
Photorealistic design work:
Marketing imagery, product visualization, and editorial content that require natural output
Iterative creative processes:
Rapid generation cycles at reasonable cost
Original character illustration:
Work that benefits from fresh aesthetics and unpredictable color palettes
Varied composition:
Layouts that need dynamic framing beyond centered defaults
Consider Alternatives When
Print-ready resolution:
Recraft V4 Pro delivers higher resolution output
Style preset dependence:
Recraft V3's 20+ style presets may outweigh V4's general improvements
Budget-first workflows:
Recraft V2 or V3 may meet your needs at lower per-image rates
Native vector output:
Recraft V3 introduced direct vector generation
Conclusion
Recraft V4 delivers photorealism and composition improvements for professional design and marketing use. It fits iterative workflows that prioritize speed and cost over maximum resolution. Move to Recraft V4 Pro when you need print-ready or large-format resolution.
FAQ
V4 focuses on photorealism and composition: more realistic skin, natural textures, cleaner lighting, and more varied layouts. V3's strengths are style presets and vector output. Choose V4 when those photorealism and composition goals outweigh preset-driven workflows.
Yes. Recraft developed V4 with direct input from working designers. That process focused on the gaps that matter most in professional creative work: photorealism, composition variety, and character originality.
V4 is optimized for speed and cost-efficiency in iterative design work. V4 Pro generates higher-resolution output for print-ready assets and large-scale applications. Use V4 for everyday creative production and V4 Pro for final fidelity.
Yes. Recraft V4 builds on the text rendering from earlier Recraft generations. Text in generated images is legible and accurately rendered.
No. Recraft V4 is a dedicated image generation model. It doesn't process conversation history or maintain a context window. Use generateImage from the AI SDK.
Pass recraft/recraft-v4 to generateImage from the AI SDK. AI Gateway handles routing, retries, and provider failover automatically.
See the pricing section on this page for today's rates. AI Gateway exposes each provider's pricing for Recraft V4.
Marketing imagery, product visualization, editorial photography, and character illustration. The photorealism improvements (skin, textures, lighting) and composition variety address the gaps that make generated images look synthetic.
