# Image Studio Cost Guide

Image Studio uses a credit-based system for all operations. This guide explains the cost structure, estimation, and optimization strategies.

## Credit System Overview

### How Credits Work

- **Credits**: Virtual currency for Image Studio operations
- **Subscription Tiers**: Different credit allocations per plan
- **Operation Costs**: Each operation consumes credits
- **Pre-Flight Validation**: See costs before executing
- **Transparent Pricing**: Clear cost display for all operations

### Credit Allocation

Credits are allocated based on your subscription tier:
- **Free Tier**: Limited credits for testing
- **Basic Tier**: Standard credit allocation
- **Pro Tier**: Higher credit allocation
- **Enterprise Tier**: Unlimited or very high allocation

## Operation Costs

### Create Studio Costs

#### By Provider

**Stability AI**:
- **Ultra**: 8 credits (highest quality)
- **Core**: 3 credits (standard quality)
- **SD3.5**: Varies (artistic content)

**WaveSpeed**:
- **Ideogram V3**: 5-6 credits (photorealistic)
- **Qwen**: 1-2 credits (fast generation)

**HuggingFace**:
- **FLUX**: Free tier available, then varies

**Gemini**:
- **Imagen**: Free tier available, then varies

#### By Quality Level

- **Draft**: 1-2 credits (fast, low cost)
- **Standard**: 3-5 credits (balanced)
- **Premium**: 6-8 credits (highest quality)

#### Additional Costs

- **Variations**: Each variation adds to base cost
- **Batch Generation**: Cost = base cost × number of variations
- **Dimensions**: Larger images may cost slightly more

### Edit Studio Costs

#### By Operation

- **Remove Background**: 2-3 credits
- **Inpaint**: 3-4 credits
- **Outpaint**: 4-5 credits
- **Search & Replace**: 4-5 credits
- **Search & Recolor**: 4-5 credits
- **Replace Background & Relight**: 5-6 credits
- **General Edit**: 3-5 credits

#### Cost Factors

- **Operation Complexity**: More complex operations cost more
- **Image Size**: Larger images may cost slightly more
- **Provider**: Different providers have different costs

### Upscale Studio Costs

#### By Mode

- **Fast (4x)**: 2 credits (~1 second)
- **Conservative 4K**: 6 credits (preserve style)
- **Creative 4K**: 6 credits (enhance style)

#### Cost Factors

- **Mode Selection**: Different modes have different costs
- **Image Size**: Larger source images may cost slightly more
- **Quality Preset**: Presets don't affect cost

### Social Optimizer Costs

- **Included**: Part of standard Image Studio features
- **No Additional Cost**: Platform optimization is included
- **Efficient**: Batch processing is cost-effective

### Asset Library Costs

- **Free**: No cost for asset management
- **Storage**: Included in subscription
- **Operations**: Only generation/editing operations cost credits

## Cost Estimation

### Pre-Flight Validation

Before any operation, Image Studio shows:
- **Estimated Cost**: Credits required
- **Subscription Check**: Validates your tier
- **Credit Balance**: Shows available credits
- **Cost Breakdown**: Detailed cost information

### Estimation Accuracy

- **Create Studio**: Very accurate (known provider costs)
- **Edit Studio**: Accurate (operation-based costs)
- **Upscale Studio**: Accurate (mode-based costs)
- **Batch Operations**: Cost = base × quantity

### Viewing Estimates

1. **Before Generation**: Cost shown in Create Studio
2. **Before Editing**: Cost shown in Edit Studio
3. **Before Upscaling**: Cost shown in Upscale Studio
4. **Operation Button**: Shows cost estimate

## Cost Optimization Strategies

### For Create Studio

1. **Use Draft for Testing**: Test concepts with low-cost Draft quality
2. **Batch Efficiently**: Generate multiple variations in one request
3. **Choose Appropriate Quality**: Don't use Premium for quick previews
4. **Use Templates**: Templates optimize for cost-effectiveness
5. **Provider Selection**: Use cost-effective providers when appropriate

### For Edit Studio

1. **Edit Strategically**: Only edit when necessary
2. **Combine Operations**: Plan edits to minimize operations
3. **Use Masks Efficiently**: Precise masks reduce need for re-editing
4. **Test First**: Use low-cost operations for testing

### For Upscale Studio

1. **Upscale Selectively**: Only upscale best images
2. **Use Fast Mode**: Fast mode for quick previews
3. **Choose Mode Wisely**: Don't use Creative if Conservative is sufficient
4. **Batch Upscaling**: Process multiple images efficiently

### General Strategies

1. **Plan Ahead**: Estimate costs before starting
2. **Iterate Efficiently**: Test with low-cost options first
3. **Reuse Assets**: Don't regenerate similar content
4. **Monitor Usage**: Track costs in Asset Library
5. **Optimize Workflows**: Use efficient workflow patterns

## Cost Examples

### Example 1: Social Media Campaign

**Scenario**: Create 5 images for Instagram, edit 3, optimize for 3 platforms

**Costs**:
- Create 5 images (Standard): 5 × 4 = 20 credits
- Edit 3 images (Remove Background): 3 × 3 = 9 credits
- Social Optimizer: 0 credits (included)
- **Total**: 29 credits

### Example 2: Blog Featured Image

**Scenario**: Create featured image, upscale, optimize for social

**Costs**:
- Create 1 image (Premium): 6 credits
- Upscale (Conservative): 6 credits
- Social Optimizer: 0 credits (included)
- **Total**: 12 credits

### Example 3: Product Photography

**Scenario**: Create product image, remove background, create 3 color variations

**Costs**:
- Create 1 image (Premium): 6 credits
- Remove Background: 3 credits
- Search & Recolor (3 variations): 3 × 4 = 12 credits
- **Total**: 21 credits

### Example 4: Content Library

**Scenario**: Generate 20 images (Draft), edit 10 favorites, upscale 5 best

**Costs**:
- Create 20 images (Draft): 20 × 2 = 40 credits
- Edit 10 images (various): 10 × 4 = 40 credits
- Upscale 5 images (Fast): 5 × 2 = 10 credits
- **Total**: 90 credits

## Subscription Tiers

### Free Tier
- **Credits**: Limited allocation
- **Best For**: Testing, learning, low-volume
- **Limitations**: Rate limits, basic features

### Basic Tier
- **Credits**: Standard allocation
- **Best For**: Regular use, standard content
- **Features**: Full access to all modules

### Pro Tier
- **Credits**: Higher allocation
- **Best For**: Professional use, high-volume
- **Features**: Premium quality, priority processing

### Enterprise Tier
- **Credits**: Unlimited or very high
- **Best For**: Enterprise, agencies, high-volume
- **Features**: All features, priority support

## Cost Monitoring

### Asset Library Tracking

- **Cost Display**: See cost for each asset
- **Usage Tracking**: Monitor total costs
- **Performance Analysis**: Track cost per asset type
- **Optimization Insights**: Identify cost-saving opportunities

### Best Practices

1. **Regular Review**: Check costs regularly
2. **Identify Patterns**: Find cost-saving patterns
3. **Optimize Workflows**: Adjust workflows based on costs
4. **Plan Budget**: Allocate credits for campaigns

## Cost Optimization Tips

### Quick Wins

1. **Use Draft Quality**: For testing and iterations
2. **Batch Operations**: Process multiple items together
3. **Reuse Assets**: Don't regenerate similar content
4. **Choose Providers Wisely**: Use cost-effective providers
5. **Edit Strategically**: Only edit when necessary

### Advanced Strategies

1. **Workflow Optimization**: Use efficient workflow patterns
2. **Quality Matching**: Match quality to use case
3. **Provider Selection**: Choose providers based on cost/quality
4. **Template Usage**: Use templates for optimization
5. **Asset Reuse**: Build library for future use

## Troubleshooting Costs

### Common Issues

**High Costs**:
- Review quality levels used
- Check number of variations
- Consider using Draft for testing
- Optimize workflows

**Unexpected Costs**:
- Check operation costs before executing
- Review batch operation costs
- Verify subscription tier
- Check credit balance

**Cost Estimation Issues**:
- Verify operation selection
- Check provider costs
- Review quality level
- Confirm batch quantities

## Next Steps

- See [Create Studio Guide](create-studio.md) for generation costs
- Check [Workflow Guide](workflow-guide.md) for cost-efficient workflows
- Review [Providers Guide](providers.md) for provider costs

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*For technical details, see the [Implementation Overview](implementation-overview.md). For API usage, see the [API Reference](api-reference.md).*