Understanding Credits Usage
Every image generation and editing action in Qolaba consumes credits. The total cost varies based on the model selected, quality setting, number of generations, and which editing tools are used. Understanding how credits are calculated helps you generate efficiently and get the most value from your credit balance.
Page description: How credits are calculated in Qolaba's Image Generation workspace — what affects cost, how to estimate before generating, and how to optimize credit usage across your workflow.
What Affects Credit Cost
Model
Each model has a fixed credit cost per image. This is the single biggest variable in your generation cost — premium models like Nano Banana Pro cost significantly more per image than cost-efficient models like ImageGen Fast.
Nano Banana Pro
49
Nano Banana 2
25
GPT Image 2
18
Flux 1.1 Pro
16
Seedream 4.5
21
Recraft V3
22
Ideogram V3
22
SD 3.5
23
DALL-E 3
12
SDXL
18
Flux Dev
9
SD 3.5 Turbo
8
SD 3.5 Medium
9
ImageGen 4
4
ImageGen Fast
3
Quality
Higher quality settings increase the credit cost per image. Generating at 4K costs more than generating the same image at 720p.
720p
Lowest
1K
Low–Moderate
2K
Moderate–High
4K
Highest
Number of Generations
Generation count multiplies the per-image cost linearly. Generating 4 images costs exactly 4 times the cost of generating 1.
Dimensions
Dimensions do not affect credit cost. You can change aspect ratio and pixel dimensions freely without impacting your generation budget.
Editing Tools
Each image editing tool consumes credits separately from generation. Credit cost per edit is displayed before you apply the tool.
Inpainting
Credits consumed per edit based on model and area
Upscaling
Credits consumed based on upscale multiplier (2x, 3x, 4x)
Background Removal
Fixed credit cost per image processed
Image Variation
Credits consumed per variation generated
How Total Credits Are Calculated
All per-image factors combine into a single per-image cost, which is then multiplied by your generation count:
Total credits = credits per image × number of generations
The credits per image figure reflects your combined choice of model and quality setting. The total cost for your current configuration is displayed on the Generate button before you confirm — review it before every run.
Example:
Model
Nano Banana Pro
Quality
2K
Number of generations
3
Credits per image
49
Total credits
147
Swap Nano Banana Pro for ImageGen Fast at the same settings:
Model
ImageGen Fast
Quality
2K
Number of generations
3
Credits per image
3
Total credits
9
Model selection has by far the greatest impact on total cost per run.
Reviewing Cost Before You Generate
The total credit cost for your current configuration is always displayed on the Generate button before you confirm. It updates immediately as you change any setting — model, quality, or generation count.
Make it a habit to review this figure before every run — particularly when:
Switching to a higher-cost model
Increasing generation count for a batch run
Upgrading quality to 2K or 4K for the first time with a new prompt
Optimizing Credit Usage
Use Cost-Efficient Models for Testing
Reserve premium models like Nano Banana Pro for final production output. Use ImageGen Fast, Flux Dev, or SD 3.5 Turbo for prompt testing, composition validation, and style exploration — then switch to your preferred premium model once the direction is confirmed.
Example workflow:
Test prompt and composition → ImageGen Fast at 720p, 1 generation
Refine keywords and style → Flux Dev at 1K, 1 generation
Validate final direction → Nano Banana 2 at 1K, 1 generation
Final production batch → Nano Banana Pro at 2K or 4K, 2–4 generations
Draft vs. Final Quality Strategy
Never generate at 4K during testing. All meaningful output qualities — composition, subject accuracy, color, style — are fully visible at 720p or 1K.
Stage 1 — Draft: Generate at 720p or 1K with a cost-efficient model. Iterate until the prompt, keywords, and overall direction are confirmed.
Stage 2 — Final: Switch to your target model and quality setting for the confirmed output. Generate the final batch only when the direction is locked.
Use Upscaling Instead of Regenerating at Higher Quality
If a 1K generation looks correct compositionally but needs higher resolution for delivery, use Image Upscaling → to increase resolution without regenerating. Upscaling a confirmed 1K image to 4x is significantly more credit-efficient than regenerating at 4K from scratch.
Additional Credit-Saving Practices
Use negative keywords to reduce failed generations — fewer unwanted outputs means less regeneration
Validate with A/B generation (2 outputs) before committing to a larger batch
Use presets to apply consistent styling without extensive prompt iteration — fewer failed generations from style inconsistency
Select from history instead of re-uploading reference images — keeps workflows clean and avoids accidental duplicate uploads
Credit Usage by Configuration
Relative cost comparison across common configurations:
ImageGen Fast + 720p + 1 generation
Lowest
Flux Dev + 1K + 1 generation
Very Low
Nano Banana 2 + 1K + 1 generation
Low–Moderate
Nano Banana 2 + 2K + 2 generations
Moderate
Nano Banana Pro + 2K + 2 generations
High
Nano Banana Pro + 4K + 4 generations
Highest
Note: Exact credit costs vary by model as listed above. This table reflects relative cost relationships — not absolute values.
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