Why This Guide Matters
Advanced ComfyUI workflows go far beyond basic text-to-image generation. They involve multi-model pipelines, complex node chains, ControlNet integration, and optimization strategies that professional AI artists use daily to achieve consistent, production-quality results. This comprehensive guide teaches you the exact techniques used by top creators generating $10K-$50K/month from AI art.
💡 Expert Insight
After training 4,000+ students and generating over $2.3M+ in student revenue, we've identified the exact ComfyUI workflows that separate hobbyists from professionals. This guide distills years of experience into actionable techniques you can implement today.
What Makes ComfyUI Workflows "Advanced"?
While beginners use simple text-to-image setups, advanced users build multi-stage pipelines that combine multiple models, apply precise control mechanisms, and optimize for both quality and speed. Here's what you'll master:
Multi-Model Workflows
Combine base models, refiner models, and upscalers in sequential pipelines for maximum quality
LoRA Stacking
Layer multiple LoRAs at different strengths for precise style and character control
ControlNet Mastery
Achieve pixel-perfect composition control using pose, depth, canny edge, and other preprocessors
Production Optimization
Custom samplers, schedulers, and batch processing for efficient high-volume generation
Advanced SDXL Workflow: Base + Refiner Pipeline
SDXL (Stable Diffusion XL) uses a revolutionary two-stage approach that dramatically improves quality over SD 1.5. The base model handles composition and structure, while the refiner model adds fine details. Here's the professional setup:
Complete SDXL Node Structure
Load Checkpoint (SDXL Base 1.0)
↓
CLIP Text Encode (Positive)
→ "masterpiece, best quality, 8k uhd, detailed face,
professional photography, soft lighting"
↓
CLIP Text Encode (Negative)
→ "ugly, blurry, low quality, distorted, deformed,
watermark, text, bad anatomy"
↓
Empty Latent Image (1024x1024)
↓
KSampler (Base Generation)
• Steps: 20
• CFG Scale: 8.0
• Sampler: DPM++ 2M SDE Karras
• Scheduler: Karras
• Denoise: 1.0
↓
Load Checkpoint (SDXL Refiner 1.0)
↓
KSampler (Refinement)
• Steps: 10
• CFG Scale: 8.0
• Sampler: DPM++ 2M SDE Karras
• Scheduler: Karras
• Denoise: 0.25 ← CRITICAL: Low denoise!
↓
VAE Decode
↓
Save Image🔑 Critical Settings Explained
Handles 90% of image composition and structure. More steps = diminishing returns.
ONLY refines details, doesn't regenerate. Higher = destroys base work!
SDXL is trained at 1024px. Other resolutions degrade quality significantly.
Higher than SD 1.5 (7.0) because SDXL handles stronger guidance better.
💡 Pro Technique: Split Conditioning
Advanced users use different prompts for base and refiner for even better results:
Base Prompt Strategy:
Focus on composition, subject, scene, lighting
"portrait of woman, outdoor garden, golden hour, soft lighting"
Refiner Prompt Strategy:
Focus on quality, details, sharpness
"8k uhd, sharp focus, professional photography, high detail"
✅ Real-World Results
This workflow produces professional-grade images suitable for client work, stock photography, and AI influencer content. Our students regularly sell SDXL images for $50-$200 each on platforms like Adobe Stock and Getty Images.
LoRA Stacking: Precision Style Control
Want to learn AI Influencers Academy and more?
Get all courses, templates, and automation systems for just $99/month
Start Learning for $99/monthLoRAs (Low-Rank Adaptations) are small model modifiers (typically 10-200MB) that add specific styles, characters, or concepts without retraining the base model. Advanced users stack multiple LoRAs at different strengths to achieve surgical precision in their creative vision.
Professional Multi-LoRA Workflow
Load Checkpoint (Base Model)
↓
Load LoRA #1 (Primary Style)
• Name: "Anime_Style_v2.safetensors"
• Strength: 0.8
• Purpose: Define overall art style
↓
Load LoRA #2 (Secondary Enhancement)
• Name: "Cinematic_Lighting_XL.safetensors"
• Strength: 0.6
• Purpose: Enhance lighting and atmosphere
↓
Load LoRA #3 (Detail Refinement)
• Name: "Detail_Tweaker_XL.safetensors"
• Strength: 0.4
• Purpose: Add fine details and sharpness
↓
CLIP Text Encode → Continue workflow...📊 Order Matters!
Load LoRAs in order of importance: Primary style → Secondary enhancements → Detail tweaks. Each LoRA modifies the output of the previous one.
LoRA Strength Guide (Professional Standards)
Full Strength - Maximum Effect
Can overpower base model if not careful
Use for: Primary style LoRAs that define the entire aesthetic (rare in stacking)
Strong - Significant Influence
Sweet spot for primary LoRAs in stacks
Use for: Character LoRAs, main style LoRAs, distinct aesthetic modifiers
Moderate - Balanced Enhancement
Most versatile strength range
Use for: Lighting LoRAs, detail enhancers, secondary style modifiers
Subtle - Gentle Tweaks
Barely noticeable but effective
Use for: Color grading, micro-adjustments, experimental combinations
Proven LoRA Combinations (Production-Tested)
Realistic Portraits
Base: Realistic Vision XL
LoRA 1: Detail Tweaker (0.5)
LoRA 2: Eye Detail (0.3)
Result: Ultra-realistic portraits with crisp details
Anime/Stylized
Base: AnythingXL v5
LoRA 1: Anime Style (0.8)
LoRA 2: Line Art (0.4)
LoRA 3: Color Grade (0.3)
Result: Professional anime art with bold lines
Fantasy Scenes
Base: DreamShaper XL
LoRA 1: Fantasy Style (0.7)
LoRA 2: Dramatic Lighting (0.5)
LoRA 3: Detail Enhancer (0.3)
Result: Epic fantasy with cinematic atmosphere
ControlNet: Precision Composition Control
ControlNet is the most powerful tool in advanced ComfyUI workflows. It allows you to control image composition using reference images, enabling consistent character poses, precise architectural layouts, and exact compositions. This is what separates amateur AI art from professional production work.
ControlNet Types & Use Cases
📐 Canny Edge
Detects edges and preserves composition structure
Use for: Maintaining structure from reference photos
🧍 OpenPose
Detects and replicates human skeleton/poses
Use for: Consistent character poses, AI influencers
🏗️ Depth
Preserves 3D depth information from reference
Use for: Architectural renders, 3D-consistent scenes
✏️ Scribble
Follows rough sketches and scribbles
Use for: Quick concept art from simple drawings
🎨 Lineart
Follows detailed line drawings precisely
Use for: Coloring manga/comic line art
🖼️ Normal Map
Preserves surface normals and lighting
Use for: Relighting scenes, texture generation
ControlNet OpenPose Workflow (Most Popular)
Load Image (Reference Photo with Person)
↓
ControlNet Preprocessor (OpenPose)
• Extracts skeleton/pose from photo
• Detects: body, hands, face keypoints
↓
Load Checkpoint (Your chosen model)
↓
Apply ControlNet
• Control Image: OpenPose skeleton
• Strength: 0.8-1.0
• Start Percent: 0.0
• End Percent: 1.0
↓
CLIP Text Encode (Your custom prompt)
→ "woman in elegant dress, professional photography..."
↓
KSampler → Generate with controlled pose
↓
VAE Decode → Save Image🎯 Pro Tip: Multi-ControlNet Stacking
Stack multiple ControlNets for ultimate precision:
Apply ControlNet (OpenPose) - Strength: 1.0 ← Control pose
↓
Apply ControlNet (Depth) - Strength: 0.6 ← Add depth consistency
↓
Apply ControlNet (Canny) - Strength: 0.4 ← Preserve edgesResult: Perfect pose + depth + edge preservation = professional consistency
Production Optimization: Speed + Quality
Professional AI artists generate hundreds of images per day. Here's how to optimize your workflows for production without sacrificing quality:
⚡ Speed Optimization
pip install xformers for 30-50% speed boost💎 Quality Optimization
Key Takeaways: Your Action Plan
1. Master SDXL Base + Refiner
This two-stage workflow is the foundation of professional AI art. Get this right before moving to advanced techniques.
2. Stack LoRAs Strategically
Use 2-4 LoRAs maximum. Start high strength for style, lower for details. Order matters!
3. Use ControlNet for Consistency
OpenPose + Depth ControlNets are essential for AI influencers and character consistency.
4. Optimize for Production
20-25 steps, xformers enabled, batch processing. Speed without quality loss.
Want to master AI Influencers Academy? Get it + 3 more complete courses
Complete Creator Academy - All Courses
Master Instagram growth, AI influencers, n8n automation, and digital products for just $99/month. Cancel anytime.
All 4 premium courses (Instagram, AI Influencers, Automation, Digital Products)
100+ hours of training content
Exclusive templates and workflows
Weekly live Q&A sessions
Private community access
New courses and updates included
Cancel anytime - no long-term commitment
✨ Includes: Instagram Ignited • AI Influencers Academy • AI Automations • Digital Products Empire