--sref (style reference) lets MJ reference an image for its look, palette and brushwork. It does not reuse the person (that is --cref) — only the style.
Basic syntax
{your prompt} --sref [image URL] --sw 200 --v 6
--sw range 0–1000, default 100. Start in 100–300 for first attempts.
--sw weight table
| --sw | Style strength | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Very mild reference | Only borrow the palette |
| 100 (default) | Light reference | First-pass exploration |
| 250 | Clear reference | Common production value |
| 500 | Strong style lock | Series consistency |
| 1000 | Maximum copy | Easily overrides the prompt — use carefully |
Stacking multiple images
{prompt} --sref url1 url2 url3 --sw 300
Multiple --sref images blend into an averaged style. Three works from the same artist combine well; three wildly different styles produce a mishmash.
Combine with --cref
Midjourney's strongest series setup:
{character block} {scene} --cref [person image] --cw 60 --sref [style image] --sw 300
Gotchas
--sw 1000 overrides the prompt
Style dominates, even the subject can drift. Stay in 200–400.
Low-resolution style reference
Low-res references give MJ too little to learn from. Use 1024+ on the long side.