With MailerPress Pro, you can create images for your emails from the Image block: describe what you want, generate an image, then refine it with variations. MailerPress works with OpenAI (GPT Image 2.0) and Google Gemini image models, also known as Nano Banana. The image you choose is saved to your WordPress Media Library and inserted in your email.
This feature requires MailerPress Pro. OpenAI image generation requires MailerPress Pro 2.1.0 or later.
Choose your image provider
- Go to MailerPress > Settings > AI Settings and select Image AI.
- Click OpenAI or Gemini Image.
- Choose the Model: GPT Image 2.0 for OpenAI, Gemini 3 Pro Image or Gemini 2.5 Flash Image for Gemini Image.
- Paste your API key (the secret code from your provider account) in API Key for OpenAI or API Key for Gemini Image, then click Save settings.
The image key is separate from any key saved in the Text AI view, even for the same provider. For a Google key, see Create a Nano Banana API key to generate AI images. For all AI settings, see Configure AI providers in MailerPress Pro.
Open the image generator
In the email editor, open the Generate image with AI window in one of two ways:
- In an empty Image block, click AI generation (next to Media library and Insert from URL). The window opens on New image.
- In an Image block that already has an image, click Generate with AI under Open media library in the block settings. The window opens on Variation, with your current image as the original.
Generate a new image
- Make sure New image is selected.
- In What would you like to create?, describe the subject, style and mood. You can start from a suggestion such as Editorial photography, Minimal 3D or Abstract background.
- Under Format, choose the proportions (see the table below).
- Click Generate image. It can take a few moments.
| Provider | Available formats |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | 1:1 (1024×1024), 2:3 (1024×1536), 3:2 (1536×1024) |
| Gemini Image | 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9 |
For a banner at the top of an email, use a landscape format such as 3:2 or 16:9. For a square product visual, choose 1:1.
Refine an image with variations
After each generation, the window switches to Variation with the new image selected.
- In What would you like to change?, describe only what should change, for example “use warmer colors” or “keep the composition, editorial illustration style”. The rest stays as close as possible to the selected image.
- Click Create variation.
- Use the Versions thumbnails to compare the original and each generated image. Click a thumbnail to use it as the base for the next variation.
With OpenAI, the base image for a variation must be a PNG, JPEG or WEBP file.
Add the image to your email
- Select the generated version you prefer. Use this image is only available for a generated version, not the original.
- Click Use this image. MailerPress uploads it to your Media Library and inserts it in the Image block.
- Add an alternative text in the block settings: it describes the image to screen readers and to email apps that block images.
Troubleshooting
- AI is not configured: no key is saved for the selected image provider. Add it in AI Settings, Image AI view.
- API quota exceeded: your provider account has reached its rate or usage limit. Check your plan and billing with the provider, or try again later.
- Blocked by a monthly limit: if AI usage limits are on, each generation counts as one AI action and each image counts toward the monthly image limit. Raise the limit in AI Settings, AI Usage view, or wait for the next month.
- Permission error: your role needs the Use AI permission. See Manage access to MailerPress features by WordPress role.