Materials & Textures Prompts: Surface Design

Sometimes you don't need a whole object; you just need the surface. Nano Banana can generate high-resolution, tileable textures for use in 3D rendering, background design, or material exploration.

Understanding Surface Detail

To get a realistic texture, you need to describe three things: Color, Tactility (how it feels), and Lighting. Lighting is crucial because without shadows, a texture looks flat and fake.

AGED LEATHER

Let's start with the foundation example from the Product Visualization overview. Here is the complete, fully detailed prompt to generate the "AGED LEATHER" texture.

[Optional Base Image] Create a high-resolution material texture.

Material:
- **Type**: Distressed full-grain leather
- **Color**: Deep cognac brown with dark patina
- **Age**: Well-worn, vintage (20+ years old)

Tactility:
- **Texture**: Visible pores, natural creases, small scratches
- **Finish**: Semi-gloss (oiled finish)
- **Imperfections**: Scuffs and color variation

Lighting:
- **Setup**: Raking light (side lighting)
- **Effect**: Highlights the depth of the cracks and grain
- **Framing**: Top-down macro shot (flat lay)

Why This Works

The "Raking Light": "Raking light" comes from a low angle, skimming the surface. This creates tiny shadows behind every bump and crack, revealing the 3D depth of the texture. Front lighting would wash this out.

The "Patina" and "Age": New leather looks like plastic. "Aged" or "distressed" leather has character. Words like "patina" tell the AI to vary the color density, making it look organic.

The "Macro" Framing: Asking for a "macro shot" ensures the AI focuses on the microscopic details (pores, fibers) rather than trying to show a whole object (like a chair).

Common Mistakes

Variations on "AGED LEATHER"

Change the material type for different design needs.

The Terrazzo Stone

Architectural and polished.

Create a seamless terrazzo stone texture.

- **Base**: White polished concrete
- **Chips**: Pink, teal, and navy blue marble fragments
- **Finish**: High gloss polish
- **Lighting**: Flat, even lighting (to show pattern clearly)
- **Scale**: Medium scale chips

What Changed: We switched to "flat lighting" because for a polished stone, we care more about the pattern than the surface bumps.

The Knitted Wool

Soft and cozy.

Create a macro knit fabric texture.

- **Material**: Chunky cable knit wool
- **Color**: Melange grey (mix of light and dark fibers)
- **Detail**: Visible fuzz and individual fibers
- **Lighting**: Soft, diffused light
- **Vibe**: Warm, cozy, winter

What Changed: We focused on "fuzz" and "fibers" to sell the softness of the material.

Expanding Your Material Library

Generate technical and industrial surfaces.

The Brushed Metal (Industrial)

Sleek and modern.

Create a brushed metal texture.

- **Material**: Anodized aluminum
- **Color**: Space Grey or Silver
- **Finish**: Horizontal brushed grain
- **Reflection**: Anisotropic reflections (streaks of light)
- **Lighting**: Studio lighting to catch the sheen

The Carbon Fiber (Automotive)

High-tech and woven.

Create a carbon fiber weave texture.

- **Pattern**: 2x2 twill weave
- **Finish**: High gloss clear coat
- **Depth**: Visible layers beneath the resin
- **Lighting**: Sharp highlights to show the gloss
- **Vibe**: Racing, aerospace, tech

Troubleshooting

Next Steps

• Product Mockups: Apply your new texture to a product.
• Interior Design: Use these materials in a room.