For the first two years of the AI art revolution, there was one major problem: Identity Amnesia.
You could generate a stunning portrait of a “Cyberpunk detective with a neon scar.” But if you tried to generate that same detective sitting in a coffee shop in the next image, they looked like a completely different person. The scar moved, the face shape changed, and the vibe was lost.
This made AI useless for comic books, children’s books, and consistent branding.
That changed with the release of the Character Reference (--cref) parameter. This feature allows you to “pin” a face to the AI’s memory and reuse it across infinite scenarios.
In this ultimate Midjourney character consistency guide, we will stop guessing with random seeds and start using precision engineering. We will break down how to use the --cref tag, how to control outfit changes with character weight (--cw), and how to combine these tools to tell a visual story.
Table of Contents
The Old Way vs. The New Way
Before we dive into the technical steps of this Midjourney character consistency guide, we need to understand why the old methods failed.
The Myth of the “Seed”
For a long time, YouTubers told you to use the --seed number to keep characters the same. This was a lie.
- The Reality: Seeds only control the starting static noise of the image. They help with composition, but they do not lock facial features.
The Revolution: Character Reference (–cref)
The new method uses a reference image url. You tell Midjourney: “Look at this URL. Copy the facial structure, eye color, and hair from this specific image, but put them in a new context.”
This is the foundation of our Midjourney character consistency guide.
Step 1: Generating Your “Source” Character
To start your journey with this Midjourney character consistency guide, you need a “Source Image.” This is the master file that defines your character.
Prompting for Clarity
Do not create your source image in a dark room or with a mask on. You need a clear, well-lit portrait.
Prompt:
A portrait of a gritty space marine, short buzz cut, scar on left cheek, neutral expression, studio lighting, white background --ar 2:3 --v 6.0
Once you have the perfect image, upscale it (U1, U2, etc.).
Getting the URL
This is the part where beginners get stuck.
- Right-click the upscaled image in Discord.
- Select “Copy Link” (Do not use “Copy Message Link,” use the image link).
- Save this URL. This is your DNA.
Step 2: Using the –cref Tag
Now comes the magic. We will put our Space Marine into a new scene using the core technique of this Midjourney character consistency guide.
The Formula
The prompt structure looks like this:[New Scene Description] --cref [URL OF FACE] --v 6.0
Example
Prompt:
A space marine running through a burning alien jungle, holding a laser rifle, action shot --cref https://s.mj.run/example_url --v 6.0
The Result
Midjourney will generate the burning jungle and the action pose, but the face will match your original source image perfectly. The scar will be on the correct cheek. The eye color will match. You have achieved consistency.
Step 3: Mastering Character Weight (–cw)
This is the “Pro Mode” of our Midjourney character consistency guide.
Sometimes, you want the character’s face to stay the same, but you want them to change their clothes. Other times, you want them to wear the exact same uniform.
Midjourney controls this with the Character Weight (--cw) parameter. The value ranges from 0 to 100.
–cw 100 (The Default)
- What it does: It copies the Face, the Hair, AND the Outfit.
- Use Case: If your character is wearing a superhero costume and you want that costume in every single panel of your comic book.
- Prompt:
... --cref [URL] --cw 100
–cw 0 (The Face Only)
- What it does: It copies ONLY the Face. It ignores the clothes and hair style from the reference.
- Use Case: If you want your Space Marine to be wearing a tuxedo at a gala, or pajamas in bed.
- Prompt:
A space marine wearing a tuxedo, drinking champagne --cref [URL] --cw 0
Understanding the difference between 100 and 0 is the most critical part of any Midjourney character consistency guide. It gives you flexibility.
Step 4: Style Reference (–sref)
Consistency isn’t just about the face; it’s about the art style. If panel 1 looks like a photograph and panel 2 looks like a watercolor painting, your project fails.
To make this the ultimate Midjourney character consistency guide, we must introduce Style Reference (--sref).
How to Combine Them
You can use --cref (for the person) and --sref (for the vibe) in the same prompt.
- Find an image that has the art style you want (e.g., a 1980s anime screenshot). Get that URL.
- Prompt:
A space marine eating a burger --cref [Character_URL] --sref [Style_URL]
This ensures that your character looks the same, AND the drawing style remains consistent across your entire project.
Step 5: Advanced Workflow for Comic Books
If you are reading this Midjourney character consistency guide to create a graphic novel, here is the professional workflow.
- Create a “Character Sheet”: Generate your character from the front, side, and back in one image. Use this as your master
--cref. - Define your Style: Create a generic landscape image that defines your coloring and line work. Use this as your master
--sref. - Prompting: Every single prompt you write should end with:
--cref [Master_Char_URL] --sref [Master_Style_URL] --cw 10
(We use cw 10 to keep the hair consistent but allow for slight outfit changes).
By rigidly following this Midjourney character consistency guide, you can produce a 20-page comic where the reader never questions if it’s the same character.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with this Midjourney character consistency guide, things can go wrong. Here is how to fix them.
Problem 1: The “Photocopy” Effect
Sometimes --cref is too strong. It just pastes the original image into the new prompt without changing the pose.
- Fix: Lower the stylize value (
--s 50) or use--cw 0to force the AI to re-imagine the body.
Problem 2: The Blended Face
If you use a URL that contains two people, Midjourney will panic and blend them into a monster.
- Fix: Always ensure your reference URL is a crop of a single face.
Problem 3: Cartoon vs. Photo
If your source image is a photo, but you want a cartoon output, --cref might fight you.
- Fix: Strong prompting. Start your prompt with “2D Flat Vector Art of…” and use
--cw 0so it only takes the facial features but not the realistic shading.
Midjourney Website vs. Discord
Midjourney is currently rolling out an Alpha website. Does this Midjourney character consistency guide apply there? Create a theme song for your consistent character using Suno vs Udio
Yes, but it is easier.
On the website (Alpha), you can drag and drop an image into the “Imagine” bar. Three icons will appear:
- Person Icon: This applies
--cref. - Paperclip Icon: This applies Image Prompt.
- Swirl Icon: This applies
--sref.
The web interface automates the URL copying process described in this Midjourney character consistency guide, making it much faster. Midjourney Documentation
Commercial Viability: Can You Sell This?
Why master this? Because consistent characters are money.
- Virtual Influencers: You can create an AI model for Instagram. By using this Midjourney character consistency guide, you can have “her” travel to Paris, Tokyo, and New York without ever leaving your house. Brands pay big money for this.
- Children’s Books: Amazon KDP is flooded with AI books, but most are bad because the main character changes in every page. Consistency puts you in the top 1% of sellers.
- Game Assets: Indie developers need consistent sprites for Visual Novels.
Conclusion: The Era of Randomness is Over
For a long time, AI art was a slot machine. You pulled the lever and hoped for the best. With the tools outlined in this Midjourney character consistency guide, AI art has become a paintbrush.
You now have control. You can dictate the face, the clothes, and the style. Whether you are building a personal brand, a graphic novel, or a marketing campaign, mastering --cref is the most valuable skill you can learn in 2026. Take your consistent character and animate them using Luma Dream Machine
Stop rolling the dice. Start building characters.
