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What is an image generation API?

An image generation API is a web service that accepts template IDs and data (text, images, colors) via HTTP requests and returns rendered images programmatically, without manual design tools.

An image generation API is a REST or GraphQL endpoint that renders images on a server and returns the result to your application. You send a request with a template reference and the data you want to inject (text, image URLs, colors), and the API returns a rendered image file (PNG, JPEG, PDF, or WebP).

How it differs from AI image generation:

Image generation APIs are template-based, not AI-based. You're not generating art from a text prompt, you're rendering a known design with specific data substituted in. The output is pixel-perfect and brand-consistent every time.

Typical API workflow (Layerre):

POST https://api.layerre.com/v1/template/3fa85f64-5717-4562-b3fc-2c963f66afa6/variant
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "overrides": [
    {
      "layer_id": "11111111-2222-4333-8444-555555555555",
      "properties": { "text": "Summer Sale - 40% Off" }
    },
    {
      "layer_id": "22222222-3333-4444-9555-666666666666",
      "properties": { "img_url": "https://example.com/shoe.png" }
    },
    {
      "layer_id": "33333333-4444-5555-a666-777777777777",
      "properties": { "text": "$59.99" }
    }
  ],
  "export_type": "png"
}

Response: HTTP 201 with JSON containing a signed image URL (url), width, height, and applied overrides. Set output format with export_type: png, jpeg, webp, or pdf.

What you can build with an image generation API:

  • Dynamic OG images: Unique social preview images for every page on your site
  • Automated ad creatives: Generate variants for Facebook, Google, TikTok ads
  • Personalized emails: Images with the recipient's name, plan, or activity
  • Certificates and awards: Rendered on demand when a user completes a course
  • Product mockups: Insert product photos into lifestyle templates
  • Social media automation: Scheduled posts with fresh data every day

Key things to evaluate when choosing an image generation API:

  • How do you create templates? (Canva import vs. custom editor vs. JSON)
  • Is generation synchronous or asynchronous?
  • What output formats are supported?
  • Are there no-code integrations (Zapier, Make, n8n)?
  • What's the pricing model? (per-render credits, monthly plans, free tier)

Layerre is an image generation API that lets you import existing Canva designs as templates, so your design team keeps working in Canva while developers generate images via a simple REST API.

Ready to generate images from your Canva designs?

Import your Canva templates and start generating via API in minutes. Free tier included; no credit card required.

Explore the API Docs

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