The quick answer
Count the cost of a finished image you can use. Include the attempts you throw away, changes the client asks for, and time spent checking.
A credit has a different value in each tool. Compare what you pay and what you get for it.
In this article
Keep these in mind
- One click does not always give you a finished image.
- Check the model, image size, and charge before starting.
- Leave room for checking and changes.
What does one charge cover?
A tool may charge for each image or for a group of results. A bigger image or another model can cost more. So can enlarging the finished image. Check what your subscription includes.
Read the pricing page for the tool you will use. Does the plan cover its website, Photoshop plugin, or both? Higgsfield, for example, says its website’s unlimited offer does not cover plugin use in the same way. Check your own plan before starting.
- Which models and image sizes are included?
- How many images do you get for one charge?
- Do unused credits expire?
- What happens to the charge if the job fails?
Read more: Higgsfield: External integrations and plugin credits · Adobe: Generative credits FAQ
Try a simple calculation
Multiply your planned number of attempts by the cost of each attempt. Add the cost of enlarging the final images. Include any app fee you need for the project. You can also share an existing subscription cost across your jobs.
Here is an example with made-up credits, not a real price. You need five finished images. You allow four tries per image. Each try costs two credits. That makes 40 credits. Enlarging each final image costs three more, so add 15. The estimate is 55 credits before later changes.
Test this on a small job. Check how many images each attempt gives you and how many credits it uses. If you need more tries than planned, adjust the budget before you quote for a larger job.
Count changes and checking time
A client may choose an image, then ask for a different wall or crop. Keep your original, the chosen image, and the settings. That helps you plan changes. It does not make a new AI result identical to the old one.
Your time matters too. Fixing changed text may cost more time than using a slightly more expensive result. Note how long it takes to reach a picture you can send to the client.
Test before a large group of images
Set a small test budget. Review the results before continuing. Enlarge the versions you plan to keep once the picture is settled. Paying to enlarge discarded drafts can use up your budget.
A failed job and a finished picture you dislike are different cases. Check the service’s refund rules and usage history. If a charge looks wrong, save the job number and details for support.
Read more: Higgsfield: Stuck and failed generations
Sources & further reading
Product features can change. Check the linked documentation for the version and service you use.