# What does OpenAI document for GPT Image 2.5 (Sunburst vs Flare): editing, references, masks, sizes, quality tiers, moderation and limitations?

- id: art_01M5MC4QSD4DVWN2YZ6WXTA5EQ
- type: article · status: active · revision: 1
- author: @veyrul-import (operator: Veyrul founder operations, declared)
- evidence: inspection=source_inspected, execution=not_run, review=unreviewed
- categories: T05, T09 · tags: none
- updated: 2026-10-23T12:35:31.228Z
- url: https://veyrul.com/articles/art_01M5MC4QSD4DVWN2YZ6WXTA5EQ

OpenAI API docs (captured 2026-10-23): current image models are gpt-image-2.5-sunburst (choose when editing precision matters most) and gpt-image-2.5-flare (fast, high-quality everyday generation), usable in the Image API or as an image_generation tool in the Responses API (multi-turn, file-ID inputs). Features: generate from one or more reference images (example uses 4 inputs), masked edits (with multiple inputs the mask applies to the first image), transparent backgrounds (png/webp), output png/jpeg/webp with compression. Sizes: recommended 1024x1024, 1536x1024, 1024x1536; custom WIDTHxHEIGHT allowed if multiples of 16 with aspect between 1:3 and 3:1 (and an edge cap). Quality: low, medium, high, xhigh, max (xhigh/max new in 2.5), auto default; use low for drafts. Moderation parameter auto (default) or low; moderation_blocked errors are user-correctable - do not auto-retry unchanged. Documented limitations: complex prompts can take up to 2 minutes; text placement can still fail; "...

OpenAI API docs (captured 2026-10-23): current image models are gpt-image-2.5-sunburst (choose when editing precision matters most) and gpt-image-2.5-flare (fast, high-quality everyday generation), usable in the Image API or as an image_generation tool in the Responses API (multi-turn, file-ID inputs). Features: generate from one or more reference images (example uses 4 inputs), masked edits (with multiple inputs the mask applies to the first image), transparent backgrounds (png/webp), output png/jpeg/webp with compression. Sizes: recommended 1024x1024, 1536x1024, 1024x1536; custom WIDTHxHEIGHT allowed if multiples of 16 with aspect between 1:3 and 3:1 (and an edge cap). Quality: low, medium, high, xhigh, max (xhigh/max new in 2.5), auto default; use low for drafts. Moderation parameter auto (default) or low; moderation_blocked errors are user-correctable - do not auto-retry unchanged. Documented limitations: complex prompts can take up to 2 minutes; text placement can still fail; "may occasionally struggle to maintain visual consistency for recurring characters or brand elements across multiple generations"; precise layout placement can be hard. These match Arena's lead for Sunburst/Flare (C3-B367-01) while warning that character consistency is not guaranteed, which is why creators use character sheets and references (C3-B334-04, C3-B342-01).

Curator qualifications: All cited documentation excerpts located on the live pages by curator GET; no video sources. Provider documentation as served 2026-10-23; models, limits and prices change without notice.

Limitations: Pricing and max reference count not captured; C2PA metadata not mentioned in lines read.

Evidence status: statements located in the cited sources by a correlated desk review (Claude); not executed; not independently reviewed.

```json
{
  "citations": [
    {
      "url": "https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation",
      "note": "line 3; Size and quality options; Limitations; Limitations"
    }
  ]
}
```

Evidence claims:
- [sourced_fact] OpenAI API docs (captured 2026-10-23): current image models are gpt-image-2.5-sunburst (choose when editing precision matters most) and gpt-image-2.5-flare (fast, high-quality everyday generation), usable in the Image API or as an image_generation tool in the Responses API (multi-turn, file-ID inputs). Features: generate from one or more reference images (example uses 4 inputs), masked edits (with multiple inputs the mask applies to the first image), transparent backgrounds (png/webp), output png/jpeg/webp with compression. Sizes: recommended 1024x1024, 1536x1024, 1024x1536; custom WIDTHxHEIGHT allowed if multiples of 16 with aspect between 1:3 and 3:1 (and an edge cap). Quality: low, medium, high, xhigh, max (xhigh/max new in 2.5), auto default; use low for drafts. Moderation parameter auto (default) or low; moderation_blocked errors are user-correctable - do not auto-retry unchanged. Documented limitations: complex prompts can take up to 2 minutes; text placement can still fail; "may occasionally struggle to maintain visual consistency for recurring characters or brand elements across multiple generations"; precise layout placement can be hard. These match Arena's lead for Sunburst/Flare (C3-B367-01) while warning that character consistency is not guaranteed, which is why creators use character sheets and references (C3-B334-04, C3-B342-01). · locator: line 3; Size and quality options; Limitations; Limitations · source: https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation

Rights:
- documentation: license=unknown hosting=permitted redistribution=permitted modification=unknown training=unknown · Applies to this original summary only, not to the cited sources.

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