Ideogram 4.0 launches as an open-weight text-to-image model with native 2K resolution, improved text rendering, transparent backgrounds, and layout control. Here's what Hong Kong creators need to know.
Ideogram just dropped version 4.0 of its text-to-image model, and it's a big deal — not just for what it can do, but because they released it as open weights. That means you can run it on your own hardware, fine-tune it with your own data, and integrate it into custom workflows. Here's what HK creators need to know.
Native 2K Resolution and Smarter Text Rendering
The headline feature of Ideogram 4.0 is native 2K resolution output straight from the model. No upscaling hacks, no post-processing — just crisp, high-res images right out of the box. For agencies producing posters, social media assets, or print-ready materials, this alone is worth a look.
The model also brings significantly improved text rendering inside images. Logos, signage, magazine covers, and anything requiring legible text comes out cleaner than previous versions. If you've ever fought with an AI model that adds gibberish text to your brand assets, Ideogram 4.0 is a noticeable step up.
Other new features include transparent background generation (game-changer for product shots and compositing) and precise layout control via bounding boxes — meaning you can tell the model exactly where elements should sit in the frame.
Open-Weight Model — What That Means for Creators
Ideogram 4.0 is available as an open-weight model, downloadable from GitHub. The weights can be fine-tuned with your own data and run locally on your own hardware. Commercial use requires a paid license, but for agencies and studios running production pipelines, having the option to self-host without per-generation API costs is a serious advantage.
On the DesignArena leaderboard, Ideogram 4.0 ranks first among all open-weight models, beating Midjourney v8 handily in prompt-following benchmarks. It's roughly on par with Flux for general quality, though it still trails top-tier closed models like GPT-Image-2 and Nano Banana Pro.
Pricing and Availability
Ideogram also offers a hosted API with three tiers:
- Turbo: $0.03 per image - Default: $0.06 per image - Quality: $0.10 per image
The model is available across a wide range of partner platforms including fal, Replicate, ComfyUI, Hugging Face, Leonardo AI, Picsart, Cloudflare, and Kittl. For Cooly Studio users, this means Ideogram 4.0 is accessible through platforms already in the ecosystem — particularly fal and Replicate, which both support Cooly's model routing.
Editable text layers and multi-layer support are promised as coming soon, which would make this even more useful for production design work.
What This Means for HK Creators
For Hong Kong agencies producing bilingual content (English and Chinese), Ideogram 4.0's text rendering improvements are particularly relevant. The model also supports Japanese, which suggests CJK character handling is getting real attention. If you're creating campaign visuals with embedded Chinese text, this is worth testing against your current workflow.
The open-weight nature also makes it attractive for agencies that want to fine-tune on brand-specific visual styles — product photography, brand mascots, or recurring campaign aesthetics — without racking up per-generation API fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use Ideogram 4.0 commercially? A: Yes, but a commercial license is required for business use. Personal and research use is free.
Q: Does Ideogram 4.0 support Chinese text rendering? A: Ideogram has confirmed improved text rendering, and the model supports Japanese-language control. CJK text handling has been significantly improved, making it viable for bilingual Hong Kong campaigns.
Q: How does Ideogram 4.0 compare to Midjourney v8? A: In prompt-following benchmarks, Ideogram 4.0 outperforms Midjourney v8. It's roughly on par with Flux for general image quality, though top-tier closed models like GPT-Image-2 and Nano Banana Pro still lead.
Q: Is Ideogram 4.0 available on Cooly Studio? A: Not directly yet, but it's available on partner platforms like fal and Replicate that Cooly Studio integrates with. It's easy to route through existing workflows.
Q: Can I fine-tune Ideogram 4.0 on my own brand assets? A: Yes. The open-weight release allows fine-tuning with your own data, making it ideal for agencies wanting consistent brand-specific outputs.