If you’re running a CPG brand, you know content is everything—whether you’re building your website, posting to social, or testing ads. But high-quality visual content takes time and money.

Until now.

ChatGPT’s new image generation feature gives CPG founders the ability to create lifestyle photos, UGC-style content, and product visuals on demand. Think: AI-generated photos that look real—with your product front and center.

Below are 5 powerful use cases for how you can use this tool to save time, cut costs, and elevate your brand presence.

Before You Start: A Quick Heads-Up on Product Images

ChatGPT’s image tool works by recreating your product image, not pasting it in directly. That means the overall look and shape will be accurate—but the text on your packaging might be distorted or incorrect.

The Fix?

• Use Photoshop to overlay your actual product image afterward
• Or hire someone on Fiverr or Upwork to do it for you—usually under $25 per image

This little workaround ensures you keep the image quality and your packaging integrity.

1. Lifestyle Photography

How to Use:
Generate product-in-use scenes—like family dinners, picnics, or kitchen prep—that showcase your brand in action.

Prompt Template:

“Create a lifestyle image of [scene description—e.g., friends at a picnic, family at dinner] featuring [your product description]. Use this image: [upload product image]. Place the product naturally in the scene, surrounded by [foods, decor, people, etc.].”

Example Prompt:

“Create a lifestyle image of a diverse group of friends at a sunny picnic, sharing tortilla chips, guacamole, and drinks. Use this image: [upload image of Siete Lime Tortilla Chips]. Place the bag naturally on the table, partially opened, surrounded by colorful food and happy people.”

Benefits:

• Skip expensive photoshoots
• Get product photos in multiple environments
• Great for website banners, sell sheets, and retailer pitches

Watch Outs:

• Packaging text may appear distorted—edit in your real product afterward
• Use natural, relatable scenes your customers connect with

Image Example:

2. UGC-Style Social Content

How to Use:
Simulate influencer-style content that looks like it came from a phone camera—perfect for Instagram or TikTok.

Prompt Template:

“Create a natural-looking selfie or phone photo of [person type—e.g., young woman, dad with toddler] holding or using [your product]. Use this image: [upload product image]. Make it look like it was taken on an iPhone, with [background—e.g., kitchen, bedroom, car] and casual lighting.”

Example Prompt:

“Create a low-resolution, natural-looking selfie of a young woman holding this product: [upload image of Siete Lime Tortilla Chips], in her kitchen with soft natural light. Make it look like an iPhone photo for Instagram. She’s smiling at the camera and dipping a chip into guacamole.”

Benefits:

• Quick content for social without needing to source creators
• Boosts authenticity and relatability
• Easy to test multiple content styles

Watch Outs:

• Product label might be inaccurate—clean it up in post-production
• Vary settings and models to keep content fresh

Image Example:

3. Ad Creative Testing

How to Use:
Generate multiple creative variations for your Meta or Google ads—fast. Test different settings, product placements, and usage moments.

Prompt Template:

Create a direct-response style digital advertisement for a consumer product. Use a clean and modern layout with the following elements:

1. 1. Headline at the top in large bold sans-serif font (white or black depending on background)
   2. Product placed centrally or slightly off-center on a solid or gradient background. Ensure the product is crisp and clearly visible.
   3. Supporting text or benefits below the headline in a smaller font
   4. Call-to-action button at the bottom  in a contrasting color.
   5. Optional: Include a 5-star rating with text like “Trusted by 5000+ customers”.

Style guide:

• • Minimalist and brand-focused
  • Bold typography
  • Warm or neutral background tones (beige, dark green, navy, etc.)
  • Product packaging should match real-world design

Example product to feature: [Upload your product]

Example Prompt:

“Create a bright, eye-catching image for a digital ad. Show this product: [upload image of Siete Lime Tortilla Chips] next to a small bowl of salsa on a colorful table, with bold natural lighting and room for headline text on the left.”

Benefits:

• A/B test ad visuals without a photo shoot
• Customize images to match your messaging
• Find what resonates with your audience faster

Watch Outs:

• Make sure the product label looks crisp—consider swapping it in afterward
• Don’t rely on AI alone—combine with performance data

Image Example:

4. Product Launch Mockups

How to Use:
Need visuals for your new product before packaging is printed? Mock it up in a real-world setting.

Prompt Template:

“Create a mock photo showing [your new product] in a [scene—e.g., store shelf, grocery haul, kitchen counter]. Use this image: [upload image of your draft or placeholder packaging]. Include [relevant products—e.g., fruits, beverages, bags, family] to set the scene.”

Example Prompt:

“Create a photo of a new product launch scene in a kitchen with a family unpacking groceries. Show this placeholder image of our new packaging: [upload image of new Siete chip flavor]. Include fruits and other natural foods nearby.”

Benefits:

• Great for sell sheets, retail meetings, and pre-orders
• Helps customers and buyers visualize your product
• Saves time waiting on final packaging

Watch Outs:

• AI-generated labels are often blurry or wrong—overlay your real label
• Use for preview and planning, not final packaging visuals

Image Example:

5. Email Campaign Graphics

How to Use:
Freshen up your emails with personalized, campaign-themed visuals featuring your product.

Prompt Template:

“Create a banner-style image for an email campaign featuring [your product]. Use this image: [upload product image]. Place it on a [surface—e.g., rustic table, marble counter] with [seasonal or thematic props—e.g., fall leaves, candles, flowers] to match a [theme—e.g., holiday, launch, sale].”

Example Prompt:

“Create an email banner image showing Siete Bunuelos (image attached) on a rustic wooden table with holiday decorations and some sitting out in a bowl.”

Benefits:

• Elevates your emails with on-brand visuals
• Tailor images to seasons, promotions, or product bundles
• Keep emails visually consistent without stock photos

Watch Outs:

• Double-check label legibility—overlay your real image if needed
• Keep props minimal to avoid visual clutter

Image Example:

Final Thoughts

ChatGPT’s image generation tool is a serious unlock for CPG founders. You no longer need to rely on stock photos or spend thousands per photoshoot. Whether you’re a team of 1 or 20, this tech lets you scale your creative output—quickly, affordably, and on-brand.

And if the AI-generated label gets wonky? Just swap in your real packaging using Photoshop—or hire someone on Fiverr for under $25/image.

Want help building out a content system using these tools? Let’s connect—I’ve been testing a bunch and would love to share what’s working.