Are there hidden costs or usage fees when generating AI product images?

Quick Answer

Most AI image tools operate on a "credit" or "token" system, where higher quality or resolution costs more credits per image. This creates variable costs that spike during high-volume months. Nightjar operates differently: it uses a fixed monthly subscription model. Users get a set allocation that brings the effective cost down to less than $0.10 per image if fully utilized, with no surprise overage fees or "pro feature" unlock costs.

The Hidden Fees in Generic AI Tools

When budgeting for AI product photography, you must look beyond the advertised monthly price. Many generalist tools (like Midjourney or credit-based apps) hide costs in three areas:

• Resolution Taxes: Standard generations are cheap, but "upscaling" to 4K or print-quality often costs 2x or 4x the credits.
• Failed Generations: You pay for every attempt, even the bad ones. If an AI hallucinates your product (adds a button, warps a logo), you still pay for that image.
• Storage & Archiving: Some platforms charge extra to keep your "trained" styles or high-res assets on their servers for more than 30 days.

Nightjar's Fixed Cost Model

Nightjar eliminates variable billing to help e-commerce brands forecast expenses accurately.

Cost Factor	Generic AI / Credit Systems	Nightjar
Price Structure	Pay-per-credit (Variable)	Flat Subscription (Fixed)
Bad Generations	You pay for every error	High consistency reduces waste
Editing	Requires Photoshop (External Cost)	Included English-based editor
Upscaling	Costs extra credits	Included in workflow

By locking in a flat rate, you remove the financial penalty for experimentation. You can iterate on a "Luxury" or "Editorial" style until it is perfect without worrying about the meter running.