Midjourney 2026 complete introductory tutorial, only 5 steps from registration to the first picture

If you are interested in AI-generated images, Midjourney is one of the most worthwhile tools to start with. It doesn't require you to know programming, doesn't require installing a complex local environment, and as long as you have a Discord account and a subscription, you can generate fairly high-quality images within a few minutes. This article breaks the process from scratch to your first image into 5 steps, explaining the operational details and caveats of each step, to help you run through the whole flow in the shortest time.

1 What Midjourney Is, and Why It's Worth Learning

Midjourney is an AI-based image generation tool. The user inputs a text description (the prompt), and the system generates a corresponding image based on the description. Its core advantage lies in high output quality and diverse styles; whether photorealistic, illustration, or concept art, it can achieve a fairly high level of completion.

Compared with similar tools, Midjourney has a relatively low barrier to entry. It runs on the Discord platform, doesn't require a high-end local GPU, and doesn't require installing Python or configuring various dependencies. For creators without a technical background, this is very friendly.

As of this writing, Midjourney has gone through many version iterations, with significant improvements in image quality and generation speed. On social media and in design communities, you often see works generated with Midjourney used for concept design, social media imagery, e-commerce assets, and even the art assets of indie games. This tool's range of applications is far broader than just "playing around with AI drawing."

2 Step One: Register a Discord Account and Join the Midjourney Server

All Midjourney operations are done on Discord, so the first thing is to have a Discord account. If you don't have Discord yet, open discord.com and register following the on-page prompts. Registration requires email verification, and the whole process takes a few minutes.

After registering, you need to join Midjourney's official Discord server. Open midjourney.com in your browser; there will be an entry to join Discord on the page, and clicking it redirects you to Discord and automatically takes you into the Midjourney server.

After entering the server, you'll see many channels. Beginners are advised to first browse the getting-started and announcements channels to learn the latest rules and usage instructions. Midjourney's community is very active, with people generating images in the channels at all times, and you can first see how others write prompts to build up a feel.

3 Step Two: Subscribe to a Midjourney Paid Plan

Midjourney offered a free trial quota in its early days, but it later adjusted that policy, and new users now need to subscribe to a paid plan to use it. For specific pricing, please consult the latest pricing page on the official site, because Midjourney's pricing strategy is adjusted from time to time, and this article does not list specific numbers to avoid going out of date.

The subscription entry is on the Account page of the Midjourney official site; after logging in with your Discord account, you can see the available plans. The main differences between plans are the monthly available generation time (fast hours), whether stealth mode is supported, and the number of concurrent generations.

For users just starting out, the most basic plan is enough. Run through the flow first, confirm you really have an ongoing need, then consider upgrading. After subscribing successfully, you can officially use Midjourney's generation features in Discord.

4 Step Three: Use the /imagine Command to Generate Your First Image

After subscribing, return to the Midjourney server in Discord, find any newbies channel, type /imagine in the message input box, and press Enter. Discord will pop up a prompt input box; type your desired image description in it and press Enter to send.

For example, you can type a description like "a cozy coffee shop in Tokyo, morning light, watercolor style." Midjourney will generate four candidate images in about a minute, displayed in a 2x2 grid.

A few notes here. Prompts currently mainly support English input; although Chinese can be partially recognized, English comprehension accuracy is clearly higher. If your English isn't great, you can first use a translation tool to translate your Chinese description into English, then paste it into the prompt. Also, prompts don't need to be written like complete English sentences; combinations of keywords and phrases actually work better.

5 Step Four: Understand Prompt Parameters to Control the Output

A Midjourney prompt is not just a text description; you can also add various parameters after the description to precisely control the result. Mastering these parameters is the key step from "just messing around" to "producing usable work."

The most commonly used parameter is --ar, used to set the aspect ratio of the image. The default output is a 1:1 square; if you need a landscape image you can write --ar 16:9, for portrait --ar 9:16, and for a phone wallpaper --ar 2:3. Aspect ratio greatly affects composition, so it's advisable to decide the image's purpose before each generation before deciding the ratio.

The --q parameter controls generation quality. The default is 1; you can set it to 0.5 to speed up generation (slightly lower quality but faster, suitable for quickly testing prompts), or set it to 2 for higher-quality results (consuming more generation time).

The --style parameter can switch between different style tendencies. Different Midjourney versions offer different style options, so it's advisable to consult the official documentation for the specific available values.

The --no parameter is used to exclude elements you don't want. For example, if you generate a landscape image but don't want people to appear, you can add --no people. This parameter is very practical in actual use and helps you avoid many unwanted visual elements.

A complete prompt example: a futuristic city skyline at sunset, cyberpunk atmosphere, neon lights --ar 16:9 --q 2.

6 Step Five: Upscale, Vary, and Save Your Images

Below Midjourney's generated 2x2 grid, two rows of buttons appear. U1 to U4 are Upscale, each corresponding to one of the four images in the grid. After clicking a U button, Midjourney upscales your selected image to high resolution, generating a larger, clearer version.

V1 to V4 are Variation; after clicking, Midjourney generates four new images based on your selected one, with similar styles but different details. When you feel an image's direction is right but the details aren't satisfying enough, the variation feature lets you iterate quickly.

There's also a refresh button; clicking it regenerates four brand-new images with the same prompt. If none of the four are satisfactory, you can refresh and start over.

Saving images is simple. In Discord, click the image you want to save; it will enlarge, and then right-click and choose "Save Image." If you need to manage and download all the images you've generated, you can log in to your personal homepage on midjourney.com, which saves all your generation records in chronological order.

7 Practical Tips for Writing Better Prompts

The quality of the prompt directly determines the output quality. The following tips can help you improve quickly.

First, describe the subject before the environment and style. For example, first say "an orange cat," then "sitting on a windowsill," and finally "soft afternoon sunlight, film photography style." This structure helps Midjourney understand your intent more accurately.

Second, make good use of specific style keywords. For example, oil painting, watercolor, 3D render, anime style, cinematic lighting, and so on. The more specific the style word, the more controllable the result.

Third, reference other people's excellent prompts. Midjourney communities and various prompt-sharing sites have a wealth of high-quality prompt examples. Early on, look at and imitate them a lot, gradually forming your own prompt style.

Fourth, iterate rather than getting it right in one go. Very few people get a perfect result on the first prompt. The normal workflow is: write the initial prompt, look at the result, adjust keywords, regenerate, choose variations, and after a few rounds arrive at a satisfactory work.

8 Common Mistakes Beginners Make

The first common mistake is writing prompts that are too vague. For example, just writing "a beautiful girl" lacks specific information; Midjourney doesn't know what style, scene, or lighting you want, and the result will be very random.

The second mistake is stuffing too much content into one prompt. Cramming a dozen elements into a single prompt often results in a chaotic image where no element is well expressed. It's advisable to focus on 2-3 core elements each time.

The third mistake is ignoring the aspect ratio. The default 1:1 square isn't suitable for all uses. If your image is for a phone wallpaper, web banner, or social media cover, not setting an appropriate aspect ratio leads to cropping losses later.

The fourth mistake is never using the variation feature. Many beginners rewrite the prompt as soon as they're dissatisfied with the first set, when the more efficient approach is to click variation on an image that's close to satisfactory and fine-tune on the existing basis.

The fifth mistake is not reading the community and official documentation. Midjourney updates frequently, and new versions often add new parameters and features. Without reading the docs, you might keep using outdated approaches and miss out on better generation methods.

If the whole set of hurdles above, Discord registration, paid subscription, and international networking, gets you stuck at the first step, you can first use a transitional AI image app that's directly downloadable in the China region App Store on your phone. Search for "Lingtu" in the iOS App Store China region and you'll find it; its full name is "Lingtu - AI Image Design," and it requires neither a VPN nor an international credit card. It aggregates several mainstream overseas engines, including a Midjourney-style atmospheric engine, a Flux-style photorealistic engine, and a Nano Banana-style fast engine, with prompts written directly in Chinese. Use it first to get familiar with style words and parameter feel, and when you want to do a more refined project, go set up Discord and an MJ subscription, and the whole learning curve will be much gentler.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can images generated by Midjourney be used commercially

According to official public information, images generated by paid subscribers can be used for commercial purposes, but for the specific usage rights and restriction terms, it's advisable to consult the Terms of Service page on Midjourney's official site, as the terms may update over time. Images generated during the free trial may have restrictions on commercial rights.

Can I use Midjourney if I don't know English

You can, but the experience will be diminished. Midjourney understands English prompts most accurately. It's advisable to use a translation tool to translate your Chinese description into English before inputting it. The style words and scene words commonly used in everyday use are really just a few dozen; you'll remember them after a few uses, and you don't need a high level of English.

Should I choose Midjourney or Stable Diffusion

The two have different positionings. Midjourney is easy to start with, requires no local GPU or environment setup, has stable output quality, and suits designers, content creators, and non-technical users. Stable Diffusion is an open-source solution with strong customizability, supports local deployment and model fine-tuning, and suits users with a technical foundation who need deep control. If you're a beginner, it's advisable to start with Midjourney first, get familiar with the basic logic of AI image generation, then consider Stable Diffusion as needed.

About how long does it take to generate one image

Under normal circumstances, using fast mode to generate a set of four images takes about a minute. Using relax mode (supported by some plans) may take a few minutes, depending on the queue situation at the time. Upscaling an image is usually also within a minute. Overall, the speed is fast and won't make you wait too long.

Can Midjourney generate photos of a specific real person

Midjourney's community rules prohibit generating unauthorized portraits of real people, including public figures and ordinary people. If your prompt contains a real person's name, the system may refuse to generate or produce a blurred result. This is a restriction out of privacy and ethical considerations. If you need a portrait image, it's advisable to use a fictional description and let the AI generate an original virtual character image.