Local image generators such as Stable Diffusion (AUTOMATIC1111, Forge), ComfyUI, NovelAI and InvokeAI store the prompt and settings as text chunks in the PNG file. The reader shows them. JPEG exports, screenshots and online services such as ChatGPT or Midjourney usually contain no such data.
Which tools store prompt data
| Tool | Field in the PNG file | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Stable Diffusion WebUI (AUTOMATIC1111), Forge | parameters | Prompt, negative prompt, steps, sampler, CFG, seed, model |
| ComfyUI | prompt, workflow | the whole node graph as JSON |
| NovelAI | Description, Comment | Prompt and settings as JSON |
| InvokeAI | invokeai_metadata | Prompt, model, seed |
Prompt data and AI labelling
A prompt found in a file shows that the image was created with AI. Whoever uses it in a store is the deployer. The labelling check tells you whether a label is needed.
Prompt data can reveal more than you want to publish, such as internal model names, so check your files before publishing. Rather than deleting metadata, export cleanly and set only the AI note (IPTC). Our metadata tool writes it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read the prompt from a Midjourney or ChatGPT image?
Usually not; online services do not store the prompt in the file. Some write other traces such as Content Credentials or the IPTC note, which the checker also shows.
Why does the reader find nothing in my PNG?
Text chunks are lost when the image is re-saved, compressed or exported as JPEG. Many platforms also remove them on upload.
Do I need to label an AI image with prompt data in my store?
Yes, if it works as a deep fake, meaning it shows something that looks real but does not exist like that (Article 3(60), Article 50(4) AI Act). Clearly fantastical or cartoon images are generally not covered under the guidelines.
Sources
Para. refers to the paragraph number in the European Commission's guidelines on Article 50, C(2026) 5054.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act)EUR-Lex · Law · 12 Jul 2024
- Commission Guidelines on the transparency obligations under Article 50 AI Act, C(2026) 5054 finalEuropäische Kommission · Commission · 20 Jul 2026
- IPTC NewsCodes: Digital Source TypeIPTC · Standard · 23 Oct 2024
