GPT Image 2.5 Flare

Get the idea out. Keep the work moving.

Flare is OpenAI’s fast GPT Image 2.5 model for everyday image generation. Try a social post, a product concept, or a fresh direction for your next project, free on Playground.

Up to 3 free images every 30 days, shared across image tools. No sign-up. 1024 × 1024 PNG at medium quality.

How GPT Image 2.5 Flare works

1. Start with a T-shirt idea

Describe the shirt, the artwork, and the words you want on it. Here, a cream tee gets a coral sun and green “WEEKEND CLUB” lettering. Ask for a clean product photo to see the idea as a piece of merch, or upload your own design as a reference.
Start with a T-shirt idea

2. Explore your first design with Flare

Use Flare to explore the look of a new merch idea. Check whether the lettering reads clearly and the graphic sits where you wanted it. Adjust the colors or composition until you have a direction you want to develop.
Explore your first design with Flare

3. Try another colorway

Save the PNG or continue in Playground’s editor. Ask: “Make the shirt butter yellow. Keep the print the same.” Compare the versions for your collection or shop concept, and check that the lettering and graphic stayed intact. Editor access and usage follow your account’s plan.
Try another colorway

Try your first T-shirt design

Have an idea for a small merch drop? Start with the shirt, the graphic, and the words you want on it. This prompt brings them together in a product image you can use to explore the direction. Check the lettering and print placement, then try a different colorway.

Design a cream T-shirt with a coral sun and green “WEEKEND CLUB” lettering. Show it as a clean product photo on a peach background.
Try this prompt free

The images above illustrate the workflow. Run the prompt to compare your own results.

When to choose Flare

Early in a project, you need something to react to. A different color palette. A new setting. A composition you had not considered. Flare is a practical starting point for that stage: OpenAI positions it as its fastest model for high-quality everyday image generation. Use the free trial to see whether it gets you to a useful first draft, then try Sunburst if a particular edit needs closer attention.

Read OpenAI’s model notes for Sunburst and Flare.

Social content with a clear point of view

Describe the subject, brand colors, and the space needed for a headline. Use the first image to decide whether the direction works before spending time on the final layout.

Product concepts before a shoot

Explore a tabletop scene, a seasonal backdrop, or a different lighting direction. A useful concept can help you decide what the real campaign should look like.

Everyday photo revisions

Upload a photo and ask for a focused change, such as a new background or a different color. Compare the result with your original to make sure the important details stayed intact.

Sunburst vs Flare: where to start

Choose based on the job in front of you. Flare suits a quick first draft; Sunburst is worth trying when you need a more precise edit. Both can generate new images and work from an uploaded reference.

GPT Image 2.5 Sunburst and Flare compared
Your prioritySunburstFlare
Model focusCapability and editing precisionSpeed and everyday generation
A useful first testA product edit with several details to preserveA social image or a new campaign concept
Free Playground output1024 × 1024 PNG, medium quality1024 × 1024 PNG, medium quality
Try itTry Sunburst freeTry Flare free

Model positioning: OpenAI Sunburst documentation and OpenAI Flare documentation. The suggested tests are our practical starting points. Generation time and results vary with the brief.

Independent model rankings

GPT Image 2.5 on Arena

Sunburst and Flare hold the top two positions in these Arena snapshots. Here are the scores, along with the original leaderboards so you can check the evidence yourself.

Text-to-image generation

#1 · Sunburst
1,421 ± 13
#2 · Flare
1,399 ± 13
See Arena’s text-to-image generation leaderboard →

Single-image editing

#1 · Sunburst
1,520 ± 9
#2 · Flare
1,491 ± 9
See Arena’s single-image editing leaderboard →

Arena snapshot dated , checked . Both models are marked preliminary. The ± values are Arena’s reported uncertainty. Scores reflect human preferences, not accuracy percentages; rankings may change as votes accumulate. These scores evaluate the models, not Playground’s free trial settings.

Find the model that fits your next project

Use the same brief across a few models. Compare the details that matter for your project, from lettering to product photos.

OpenAI

GPT Image 2

An earlier GPT Image model for typography, text rendering, and instruction following.

Speed
~15-25s
Output
Up to 1024 × 1536
Pricing
Free — 3 / month

Best for

Posters, ads, packaging, infographics, and any image with legible text.

  • Reads dense prompts and complex layouts
  • Renders crisp typography and on-image text
  • Edits with strict prompt fidelity

Google Gemini 2.5 Flash Image

Nano Banana

The everyday workhorse. Lightning-fast iteration with strong reference fusion and character consistency.

Speed
~3-6s
Output
10 native ARs up to 1K
Pricing
Free — 3 / month

Best for

Rapid retouches, social posts, exploration, and blending multiple references.

  • Lightning-fast iteration loop
  • Strong reference image fusion
  • Great for character / style consistency

Google Gemini 3 Pro Image

Nano Banana Pro

The highest-fidelity Gemini model. 4K native output, sharper detail, and improved photorealism.

Speed
~25-40s
Output
Up to 4K, 10 ARs
Pricing
1 free / 30 days, no sign-up

Best for

Photoreal hero shots, large-format prints, and detailed scene composition.

  • 4K native resolution output
  • Best-in-class photorealism
  • Improved text + spatial reasoning

Try Muse Image — our free-user Auto default, at 1 credit each

See the LMArena text-to-image leaderboard

Frequently Asked Questions

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