Unlocking Creativity with Seedream 4.0: API Guide, Features & Pricing

In the fast-evolving world of AI image generation, Seedream 4.0 from BytePlus (ModelArk) stands out for its versatility, quality, and cost transparency. Whether you want to generate images from scratch, blend multiple reference images, or edit existing visuals—all in one API—Seedream 4.0 delivers. This guide walks you through its capabilities, how to call the API, and the cost structure so you can plan your projects with confidence.

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What Is Seedream 4.0 and Why It Matters

• Seedream 4.0 is built to unify both image generation and image editing in a single architecture, handling multimodal inputs (text + reference images) with high consistency. ByteDance Seed+1
• It supports batch operations: you can supply up to 10 reference images together with a prompt and generate a coherent image series, with a total of up to 15 images (references + outputs) in one request. BytePlus+1
• The model supports high-definition outputs, including 4K resolution, enabling crisp, production-grade visuals. ByteDance Seed+1
• For users new to Seedream 4.0, BytePlus offers a free trial quota of 200 image generations to test the capabilities. BytePlus+1

Because of these advantages, Seedream 4.0 is optimal for workflows in e-commerce, content production, UI/UX prototyping, marketing collateral, and creative design pipelines.

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API Usage: How to Call Seedream 4.0

Here’s a step-by-step on how to integrate Seedream 4.0 with the BytePlus ModelArk API:

1. Endpoint & Authentication

• Endpoint: POST https://ark.ap-southeast.bytepluses.com/api/v3/images/generations
• You must include a header: Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_ARK_API_KEY> Content-Type: application/json

2. Request Payload Parameters

Here are the key parameters you can (or must) include in your JSON request:

Parameter	Required	Description	Notes
model	Yes	The model or inference endpoint ID (e.g. seedream-4-0-250828)	Unique per version or deployment
prompt	Yes	Text description (in English) guiding image creation	Keep under ~600 words to preserve detail BytePlus+1
image	Optional	URL or Base64 of reference image(s)	Only applicable for “image editing” or blending modes; Up to 10 images for Seedream 4.0 BytePlus+2ByteDance Seed+2
size	Optional	Desired resolution (e.g. "2K" or custom width×height)	Supports descriptive sizes or explicit dimensions; constraints apply BytePlus+1
sequential_image_generation	Optional	"auto" or "disabled"	Controls whether the system may generate multiple related images in a batch BytePlus+2apidog+2
sequential_image_generation_options	Optional	Object with options like max_images	Determines maximum number of images when batch mode is active (≤15 total) BytePlus
stream	Optional	true / false	If true, results stream back as images are ready; else await full batch BytePlus
response_format	Optional	"url" or "b64_json"	url returns image download links; b64_json returns Base64-encoded images BytePlus+2BytePlus+2
watermark	Optional	true / false	If true, watermark “AI generated” is added; else no watermark BytePlus+1

A minimal example request (text-to-image, single output) in curl:

curl -X POST https://ark.ap-southeast.bytepluses.com/api/v3/images/generations \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $ARK_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "model": "seedream-4-0-250828",
    "prompt": "A serene mountain lake at sunrise with mist and reflections",
    "sequential_image_generation": "disabled",
    "response_format": "url",
    "size": "2K",
    "stream": false,
    "watermark": true
  }'

3. Response Structure

The API returns JSON with fields such as:

• model: the model ID used
• created: timestamp of the request
• data: an array of objects, each representing a generated image, with properties like:
  • url (if response_format = "url")
  • b64_json (if response_format = "b64_json")
  • size: the image dimensions
  • error: if there was a failure for that particular image
• usage: contains stats like generated_images, output_tokens, total_tokens
• error: error code/message for the entire request if it fails

When streaming mode is enabled, you may receive partial results (images) as they are generated.

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Pricing: How Much Does Seedream 4.0 Cost?

Understanding cost is essential for planning usage. Here’s what is publicly known as of late 2025:

• BytePlus charges $0.03 per image generated via Seedream 4.0. You also get a free trial of 200 image generations when you first start. BytePlus+1
• In other sources, “per-image” pricing is reinforced: “Only $0.03 per image.” BytePlus
• BytePlus ModelArk’s general model billing is often described as “cost = number of tokens × price per token.” BytePlus+2BytePlus+2
• On BytePlus’s product page for Seedream, they advertise: “$0.03 per image” and “Free trial of 200 images.” BytePlus

Because the API supports multiple image outputs in one request, the cost is applied per generated image in that batch. For example, generating 5 images in one batch would cost 5 × $0.03 = $0.15.

Important caveats & tips:

• The free quota is a trial offer, and once exhausted, billing will begin.
• Larger images (4K) or more complex blending may consume more compute internally, but publicly BytePlus seems to keep a flat per-image rate for Seedream.
• Monitor usage via the usage object in responses to track your consumption.
• If your application demands high throughput, consider batching or streaming to reduce latency overhead and make cost per-transaction more efficient.

Or you can try Seed Dream Model in our website AIKOLHUB.COM

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