en Maintain consistent character appearance across multiple images using --cref
Character consistency is one of the most requested and powerful features in Midjourney V6. Using the --cref (character reference) parameter, you can maintain a consistent character's appearance — face, body type, hair, and distinctive features — across multiple images in different poses, environments, and situations. This is essential for storytelling, brand mascots, game character sheets, and sequential art.
Generate a clear, well-lit character image that captures the key features you want to maintain — face, hair, distinctive clothing, or physical characteristics. Upscale this image for the best reference quality.
Upload your character reference image to Midjourney (or use any image URL). Copy the direct image URL — this will be your --cref value.
Add --cref [image URL] to any new prompt. Describe the new scene, pose, or situation you want the character in. Midjourney will attempt to maintain the character's appearance in the new context.
Use --cw 0-100 to control how strictly the character reference is followed. Higher values (80-100) maintain closer resemblance. Lower values (20-50) allow more creative interpretation while keeping the general character feel.
Company needs their mascot in multiple marketing scenarios
A friendly robot mascot waving hello, office environment, bright and cheerful --cref [mascot URL] --cw 85 --ar 1:1 --v 6.1
Creator making a sequential story with consistent characters
The same character from the reference image, now running through a rainy city street, dynamic action pose, graphic novel style --cref [character URL] --cw 75 --ar 16:9 --v 6.1
Game studio needs character in multiple poses
Character reference in a combat stance, full body view, game concept art style, neutral background for easy extraction --cref [character URL] --cw 90 --ar 1:1 --v 6.1
The quality of your character reference directly affects consistency. Use a clear, front-facing or 3/4 view image with good lighting and no distracting background elements for the best results.
For brand mascots and game characters where exact consistency is critical, use --cw 80-100. For storytelling where some variation is acceptable, --cw 50-70 gives more natural-looking results across different scenes.
Use --cref for character consistency and --sref for style consistency simultaneously. This ensures both the character and the visual style remain consistent across an entire series of images.
Generate your character in multiple base poses (front, side, 3/4 view, close-up) and save these as reference images. Different reference images work better for different types of new scenes.
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