PROMPT GUIDE

How to Put Text in AI Images (Prompts That Avoid Garbled Text, and Adding It Later)

Posters, social media images, shop signs: there are plenty of times you want text in an AI illustration, yet it often comes out unreadable or scrambled. More image generators now claim to be good at text, but their strengths vary by service and version. This guide covers how to ask for text, how to fix garbled letters, and how to add text afterwards.

Last updated: 2026-10-22 approx. 3 min read

日本語版

The short answer

To put text in an AI image, wrap the words in double quotes like "OPEN", keep them short, and say where and how big they should be. Long sentences and non-Latin scripts still break easily, so when accuracy matters, make the image without text and add the words afterwards in an image editor.

How do you put text in an AI image?

Wrap the words in double quotes and also say where the text goes and how big it is. The shorter the text, the more accurate it comes out.

Image generators remember letters as shapes, not as readable symbols, so long sentences and small text break easily. Scripts with many complex characters, such as Japanese, are generally harder than English. If you need the text to be exact, either choose a service known for text or make the picture and the text separately.

Anime girl standing in front of a blank signboard, ready for text to be added later — 文字を後から入れる看板

Poster-style anime illustration with empty sky at the top for a title — 文字を後から入れる看板

Illustration usage rules

Method	Strengths	Watch out for
Ask for the text in the prompt	Done in one go, blends with the picture	Long text, complex scripts and small text break easily
Leave space for the text	Clean picture, reliable text	You need to add the text later
Add the text in an image editor	Free choice of font, color and size	Needs some care to blend with the picture
Redraw only the text area	Fixes only the broken part	Only in services with a redraw feature

How do you ask for text so it does not get garbled?

Short, large, a fixed place and only one spot. Adding the text color and lettering style also makes it work as a design.

Steps to ask for text

Narrow the text to a short phrase of 1–3 words.
Wrap it in double quotes, like "CAFE".
Decide where the text is (a sign, a T-shirt, the top of a poster) and write it.
Describe the size and lettering style (large bold letters, hand-lettered, etc.).
Generate several and pick the one with the most correct text.
If one letter is wrong, redraw just that part or fix it in an editor.

A cozy cafe storefront with a wooden sign above the door that says "CAFE" in large white hand-lettered letters, a girl with long black hair standing in front, anime illustration

A simple poster design with the big bold title "SUMMER" at the top, blue sky and white clouds, plenty of empty space at the bottom, flat illustration

An anime illustration of a girl standing in front of a blank shop sign. Keep the sign completely plain with no writing, so text can be added later.

Rinka's tips

One text spot per image. Asking for text on both a sign and a T-shirt makes both more likely to break
Short uppercase English words come out best. Other scripts can break even in short words
Bigger text is more accurate. Small text tends to be drawn as a pattern

What if you need text in another language, such as Japanese?

Adding it afterwards is the most reliable. If you ask in the prompt, keep it to a very short word and generate many to choose from.

Some services say they support Japanese and other scripts, but accuracy changes between versions. For text where mistakes matter, such as a shop or event name, make the picture without text and add it in an image or design app. You can pick the font, which also makes it easier to read.

How do you add text afterwards?

First make a picture with space left for text, then place the text there in an image editor.

Name the space you want empty: empty space at the top for text, plain sky on the right side
Keep the area behind the text simple: plain signs, sky or walls make text easy to read
Pick the text color from colors in the picture: a color extraction tool shows the main colors that will blend in
Add an outline or shadow: on busy backgrounds, a white or black outline makes text readable
For social media, place text where it will not be cropped away

What if the text still does not come out right?

The fix depends on the symptom. Find yours in the table.

Common problem	Cause	Fix
Text turns into unreadable symbols	The text is long or small	Cut it to 1–3 words and add large letters
One letter wrong or extra	The AI is imitating shapes	Generate several and choose; redraw that part with a fix feature
Text appears where you did not ask	Words like sign, book and poster come with text	Write blank sign for a sign without text, and plain for plain surfaces
Non-Latin text falls apart	Complex character shapes	Make the picture without text and add the text later
Text looks pasted on	Color or lettering does not match the picture	Use colors from the picture and blend with shadows or outlines

How to ask ChatGPT for images and request fixes: How to Prompt ChatGPT for Images (Asking and Editing) →

How to fix images in conversation with Gemini: How to Prompt Gemini for Images (Conversational Edits) →

FLUX prompts written in natural English: How to Write FLUX Prompts (in Natural English) →

AI image generator comparison, including services good at text: AI Image Generators Compared (How to Choose by Type) →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does text get garbled in AI images?

Image generators remember letters as shapes rather than meaningful symbols, so long sentences and small text break more easily.

Which AI image generator is best at text?

Several services are said to focus on text rendering, but how good they are changes with each version. Check each service's official information for the current state.

Can AI put Japanese or other non-Latin text in an image?

Short words sometimes come out, but they still break easily. For text where mistakes matter, make the picture without text and add it in an image editor.

How do I get the AI to leave space for text?

Write the space you want, such as empty space at the top for text. Scenes with a simple area behind the text, like sky, a plain wall or a blank sign, are easiest to use.