Recraft

What is Recraft?

Recraft is an AI-based visual creation platform designed for designers, brand teams, e-commerce professionals, and developers. It enables the creation of bitmaps, illustrations, icons, logo-style graphics, and editable SVG files. It also offers functions such as canvas editing, partial redrawing, background removal, vectorization, mockups, image scaling, and video generation. The platform places emphasis on design aesthetics, brand consistency, and practical usability, rather than simply generating an image based on a prompt.

As of this verification, the latest main line of Recraft’s proprietary models isRecraft V4.1V4.1 builds upon V4’s capabilities in terms of composition, color, lighting, material handling, and text integration to enhance the sense of realism and the illustration style; it is available in versions such as Standard, Pro, Vector, Pro Vector, and Utility.

Old tutorials that still refer to V3 as the latest model are no longer in line with the current state of the product.

How to choose the V4.1 model

• V4.1：Suitable for daily posters, advertisements, editorial visuals, illustrations, and photos with a balanced speed and cost;
• V4.1 Pro：It produces higher-resolution images with clearer textures, suitable for printing, large-format applications, and works that require further cutting.
• V4.1 Vector：It directly generates SVG files with structured layers and clean geometric paths, which can be further edited and scaled without loss of quality.
• V4.1 Pro Vector：It handles more complex vector compositions and details, making it suitable for brands with high standards, packaging, and large-scale outputs;
• V4.1 Utility：It reduces dramatization and random creativity, opting for positive compositions, even lighting, and predictable outcomes – making it suitable for product images and mockups.
• Old version V3:It remains suitable for workflows that require predefined styles, custom styles, negative prompt words, text layout, or certain editing APIs. The V4 series does not support all the style parameters from older versions at this time.

Core functions

• Text-to-image and reference image:It is possible to generate photography, illustrations, posters, and brand visuals from text; reference images can also be uploaded to control characters, objects, style, or composition. Short prompts can be used together with prompt enhancers to add additional visual details.
• AI vector graphics:It allows for the direct creation of SVG icons, logo concepts, stickers, patterns, and illustrations. The paths can be selected, recolored, and their shape and layers can be adjusted in the Vector Editor, after which they can be exported for use on websites or in print.
• Text and layout:V4.1 can treat text as part of the layout, making it suitable for posters, covers, and advertisements. Errors in spelling may still occur in the generated text, and official brand names, prices, and legal texts must be rearranged manually.
• Infinite canvas and projects:Place multiple images, reference materials, text, and design elements on the canvas; compare different options, make successive adjustments, and organize the project, thereby reducing the need to export files back and forth between various software programs.
• Local editing:Local areas can be removed, replaced, expanded, or redrawn using selection tools or natural language commands; features such as erasure, inpainting, outpainting, variation creation, and background replacement are available.
• Background removal and generation:It automatically isolates the main subject, creates a transparent background, or generates a new scene – making it suitable for e-commerce product images, social media content, and marketing materials.
• Vectorization and scaling:Convert bitmap files such as PNG and JPG to SVG; Crisp Upscale aims to enlarge the image while preserving its clarity, whereas Creative Upscale creates new details – it cannot be used for images that require pixel-perfect accuracy.
• Mockup：Drag logos, packaging designs, or patterns onto templates for clothing, packaging, outdoor advertisements, etc., adjust their position and size, and use AI to enhance the synthesis and achieve a more realistic appearance.
• Exploration mode:First, explore different visual directions in bulk using brief concepts, and then refine the selected results; this approach is suitable for the inspiration phase rather than for creating extremely long prompt texts from the start.
• External models and videos:Paid users can use image or video models such as GPT Image, Gemini, Flux, Ideogram, Krea, Seedream, Grok, Kling, Veo, and Sora in Recraft Studio. The specific list of these models, their prices, and the regions in which they are available may change; they should not be considered as models developed by Recraft itself.

Brand consistency and style

Recraft allows maintaining a consistent visual identity for a brand through color palettes, reference images, and custom styles; it is suitable for generating social media content, assets related to events, and e-commerce materials on a continuous basis. The Teams workspace also enables the sharing of styles and projects.

It should be noted that the custom Styles in the API are currently compatible primarily with V3 and V3 Vector; versions V4/V4.1 do not support the Style parameter in all scenarios.

A “logo” generated by AI is usually only a conceptual draft. A formal trademark still requires examination of similar symbols, font licensing, registrability, readability when reduced in size, and its appearance in black and white; a generated image cannot be considered a complete brand asset.

Copyright rules for the free version

Recraft’s free plan is suitable for trying it out, but its licensing rules differ from those of many AI drawing tools:The images generated under the free plan are owned by Recraft; they are displayed publicly in the community gallery, and commercial use is not permitted.Therefore, the free-generated content cannot be used for paid advertising, product packaging, customer deliveries, the sale of stock images, or any other commercial purposes.

The images created during the validity period of a paid subscription belong to the user; the user has commercial rights to use them and they remain private, not being included in the community’s image gallery. Even after canceling the subscription, these images created during the paid period stay the user’s property and remain private.

Uploading one’s own images does not imply an automatic transfer of copyright; however, the user must still ensure that they have the rights to upload and edit those materials.

Individual and team prices

Subscription points are reset each month, and any unused portion is not carried over. Users of Basic and Pro plans can purchase top-up points that do not expire, with the monthly points being used up first.

Teams offers at least 3 seats; each member receives monthly points ranging from 2000 to 16000, and it provides shared workspaces, management tools, SSO, as well as priority support.

Team points cannot be shared among team members; the specific levels are indicated on the settlement page.

Recraft API and prices

The Recraft API supports the creation of bitmaps and vectors, image-to-image generation, partial redrawing, removal or replacement of backgrounds, background generation, vectorization, scaling, batch processing, and asynchronous tasks. It uses Bearer Tokens for authentication, and can be utilized with Python clients that are compatible with OpenAI’s image interfaces.

API credits must be prepaid; 1 dollar buys 1,000 API Units. Once purchased, they are valid indefinitely but generally cannot be refunded.

• V4.1/V4 standard bitmaps: $0.04 per image; standard vectors: $0.08 per image;
• V4.1/V4 Pro bitmaps: $0.25 per image; Pro Vector: $0.30 per image;
• Background removal or vectorization: $0.01 per task;
• Crisp Upscale: $0.004 per use; Creative Upscale: $0.25 per use;
• Erasure area: $0.002 per operation; V3 image generation or bitmap editing typically costs $0.04 per operation.

API points and Studio subscription points are not interchangeable. For programmatic generation, it is necessary to set key permissions, concurrency limits, budgets, and rules for retrying failed attempts; the resulting links should be downloaded to one’s own storage promptly.

Supported platforms and MCP

Recraft offers web applications as well as apps for iPhone and iPad, with an option for Android as well. Mobile apps are suitable for quickly creating and viewing projects, while working with a full canvas and performing complex edits is generally more convenient on the desktop website.

The iOS client currently requires iOS or iPadOS 17.6 or later.

Recraft also supports MCP, which enables agents compatible with Claude, Cursor, and others to trigger image generation from conversations or development environments. MCP is merely a tool invocation protocol; it does not affect Recraft accounts, points, copyright rules, or content policies. It is still necessary to check the source of the server and its authorization scope before establishing a connection.

Is it open source?

The Recraft application, the V4.1 model, and the API are not open-source projects; moreover, the model weights that can be deployed locally are not made available publicly. The unofficial clients, prompt templates, or automation tools available on GitHub do not constitute official open-source versions.

The catalog should be labeled as “Not open source; cloud API and MCP access available”.

Recraft usage tutorial

Complete a basic task.

1. Register for Recraft and create an API Key intended solely for the testing environment;
2. Select a model based on input type, context, quality, speed, and price;
3. First, invoke the image generation tool together with the reference image to complete the minimal request and check the returned structure;
4. Use AI vector graphics to test streaming output, parameters, and abnormal response;
5. Record Tokens, number of calls, latency, error rate, and cost per call;
6. Move the key to the server-side key manager before integrating it into the actual application;

Create reusable professional workflows

1. Different keys and quotas are used for development, testing, and production environments;
2. A representative evaluation set is established based on image generation from text and reference images, AI vector graphics, as well as text and layout.
3. Set timeout, concurrency, retry, throttling, and budget limits;
4. Perform checks on the output regarding facts, security, format, and sensitive information;
5. Monitor changes in model version, price, latency, and failure rate;
6. Prepare plans for downgrading the model, implementing circuit breaking, and taking manual control;

Which users are it suitable for

• Designers who create brand posters, materials for social media, and marketing campaigns;
• Visual teams that need SVG icons, vector illustrations, and editable logo concepts;
• E-commerce users who create product images, packaging designs, clothing designs, and ad mockups;
• Brand organizations that require a unified color palette, styles, and team asset management;
• Developers who use APIs to generate content in bulk, perform image cropping, vectorize images, and scale them up.

Restrictions and Precautions

• AI-generated images may contain incorrect text, inaccurate representations of hand structures, flawed details of products, wrong brand identifiers, and unrealistic materials;
• Although vector output can be edited, it may contain too many nodes, overlapping paths, or structures that are not suitable for cutting and printing.
• Before formal delivery, it is necessary to check the color mode, bleed, fonts, nodes, and output dimensions in professional design software;
• The fact that free works cannot be used for commercial purposes is the most easily overlooked restriction.
• Paid commercial rights do not guarantee that the work will not be similar to those of third parties; users still need to address issues related to portraits, trademarks, copyrights, design patents, and advertising compliance.
• When dealing with real-person photos, customer materials, and unreleased products, a private paid workflow should be used in accordance with the organization’s policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Recraft free?

There is a free version, but the resulting works belong to Recraft, are available for public display, and cannot be used for commercial purposes. Commercial projects must be created under a valid paid plan.

What is Recraft’s latest model?

The current version is part of the V4.1 series, which includes Standard, Pro, Vector, Pro Vector, and Utility versions.

Can Recraft generate real SVG files?

Yes. V4.1 Vector generates SVG files that contain structured layers and geometric paths, which can be further edited in the Vector Editor.

How much is Recraft?

Basic costs $12 per month or $120 per year; Pro starts at $20 per month, with pricing ranging from 2,000 to 16,000 points.

The API is charged separately based on the number of operations.

Does Recraft have an API?

Yes, it supports the creation and editing of images and vectors, image cropping, vectorization, zooming, batch processing, and asynchronous tasks.

Is Recraft open source?

It is not open-source. The models, Studio, and API are all cloud-exclusive services that can be accessed via API and MCP.