Blending Modes are settings that control how two layers or images combine with each other visually, determining the mathematical relationship between the pixel values of the layers being merged. They are a fundamental feature of image editing software and are used extensively in digital compositing, photo manipulation, and motion graphics.

Common blending modes include Multiply, which darkens the composite by combining pixel values; Screen, which lightens by inverting and multiplying; Overlay, which increases contrast and richness; and Soft Light, which produces a gentle, diffused effect. Each mode produces a distinctly different visual result from the same two source layers, giving designers enormous flexibility in how they combine images.

In AI-assisted creative workflows, blending modes are often applied after generation to refine how AI-produced layers interact with backgrounds, textures, or other elements in a composition. Understanding blending modes helps creators achieve more sophisticated and intentional results when combining AI-generated imagery with other visual assets.