FP8 quantized variant of Black Forest Labs' FLUX.1 [schnell] model, offering ~2x faster inference with reduced precision while maintaining high-quality image generation in 4 steps
Settled by community votes across 3 shared challenges, with an AI judge weighing in on each.
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
17.8
arena score
#36 of 44 in Text-to-Image
Skill signature
Not enough comparable category data
The chart appears once both models have ratings across at least three shared arena categories.
Recraft V4
26.4
arena score
#8 of 44 in Text-to-Image
Vote tally
Where the votes landed
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
0.0%
win rate
Ties
0.0%
Recraft V4
100.0%
win rate
0.0%
0.0% ties
100.0%
Shared challenges
3
Challenge by challenge
The strongest take from each model on every shared challenge, with the AI judge's read.
Chalkboard Menu
Text-to-Image“Handwritten-style chalkboard menu in a cozy café, all text rendered in the exact same realistic chalk handwriting style with natural variations in letter size, slight slant, and chalk texture — no printed or digital fonts anywhere on the board. Title at the top in elegant cursive chalk handwriting: ‘TODAY’S SPECIALS – APRIL 30, 2026’. Below it, three menu items also in the same handwritten chalk style: ‘Truffle Mushroom Risotto – $24’, ‘Grilled Octopus with Lemon & Herbs – $28’, ‘Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – $9’. At the very bottom, smaller text in the identical handwritten chalk style (slightly smaller but still clearly legible with the same handwriting characteristics): ‘All items made fresh daily • Ask about our gluten-free options’. Warm ambient café lighting, visible chalk dust and smudges, realistic handwriting imperfections, no clean printed text anywhere.”
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
Recraft V4
0% wins
0% ties
100% wins
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
- + Text has a very convincing chalk-on-board texture
- + Accurately represents the requested date
- − Extreme spelling errors throughout all menu items
- − The layout is cluttered with repetitive lines and messy formatting
- − The handwriting is not 'elegant cursive' as requested
Recraft V4
- + Excellent spelling and perfect adherence to the menu list
- + Includes charming chalk illustrations that fit the cafe theme
- + Clean and well-balanced composition
- − The text looks slightly digital/font-like rather than purely hand-drawn
- − Did not use 'elegant cursive' for the title
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner as it successfully rendered every menu item with perfect spelling and attractive accompanying illustrations. While FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8 captured a more realistic hand-drawn chalk texture, it failed significantly on legibility and prompt adherence, producing garbled text and repeating keywords.
The Reversed Rodeo
Text-to-Image“Horse riding astronaut in space — horse on top, not vice versa. Surreal, highly detailed, cinematic.”
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
- + Successfully followed the specific instruction for the horse to be on top
- + Interesting surreal interpretation with the horse merged with equipment
- + Strong color contrast and cinematic lighting against the planet background
- − The anatomy of the horses is somewhat distorted and abstract
- − The 'astronaut' is represented as a piece of equipment rather than a clearly recognizable human in a suit
Recraft V4
- + High visual quality with realistic textures on the horse and asteroids
- + Great sense of movement and detailed environmental elements
- + Excellent cinematic composition
- − Failed the primary prompt instruction to have the horse on top of the astronaut
- − Results in a generic 'astronaut on horse' image seen in many AI models
Verdict: FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8 is the clear winner because it followed the specific and difficult spatial instruction to place the horse on top of the astronaut, whereas Recraft V4 ignored the 'not vice versa' instruction entirely. While Recraft V4 produced a more realistically detailed image, it failed at the core creative challenge of the prompt.
The Halloween Invitation
Text-to-Image“Vintage gothic Halloween party invitation. Dark parchment poster, spooky border with webs and thorns, central glowing jack-o-lantern, bats, twisted trees, moody night sky. Add elegant gothic title text saying "Halloween Party Invitation", a small scroll banner saying "You are invited to a night of frights", and event details at the bottom: Date: 30.10.2026 Time: 7pm Location: The Arches, NYC Spooky but polished, cinematic lighting, square format.”
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
Recraft V4
AI Judge Analysis
FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8
- + Successfully included scroll banners as requested.
- + Good use of cinematic lighting on the central jack-o-lantern.
- + Captures the parchment texture well.
- − Numerous spelling errors in the primary and secondary text.
- − Information layout is cluttered and messy.
- − Fails to include the specific 'Date: 30.10.2026' correctly.
Recraft V4
- + Flawless text rendering for all requested details including the specific date and location.
- + High-quality, detailed illustration style with intricate spider webs.
- + Excellent atmosphere with the addition of rain and detailed foliage.
- − The 'small scroll banner' is rendered as a flat white tag rather than a vintage scroll.
- − The date format on the bottom is slightly misaligned with the text below it.
Verdict: Recraft V4 is the clear winner due to its superior text rendering capabilities; it followed the complex text instructions perfectly, whereas FLUX.1 [schnell] FP8 struggled with significant spelling errors. Recraft V4 also provided a more detailed and visually rich illustration that better fit the 'cinematic' and 'polished' requirements.
Next steps
Explore each model
Recraft's latest text-to-image generation model with high-quality output, supporting various aspect ratios and custom color palettes