How do I import presets into Premiere Pro?

March 14, 2026 · caitlin

Importing presets into Adobe Premiere Pro is a straightforward process that can significantly streamline your video editing workflow. You can easily import color grading presets, audio effects presets, and transition presets by navigating to the appropriate panel and using the import function.

Importing Presets into Premiere Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide

Premiere Pro offers a powerful way to save and reuse your custom settings, known as presets. This feature is invaluable for maintaining consistency across projects and saving considerable editing time. Whether you’re a beginner looking to enhance your editing speed or a seasoned professional seeking to organize your toolkit, understanding how to import presets is essential.

What Exactly Are Premiere Pro Presets?

Premiere Pro presets are essentially saved configurations of effects, color grades, audio settings, or even entire sequences. They allow you to apply a complex set of adjustments with a single click. Think of them as customizable templates for your video editing needs.

For example, a color grading preset might include adjustments to exposure, contrast, saturation, and specific color channels. An audio preset could combine EQ, compression, and reverb settings. Importing these presets means you don’t have to manually recreate these settings every time.

Why Import Presets into Premiere Pro?

The primary benefit of importing presets is efficiency. Instead of spending time applying and tweaking individual effects, you can instantly apply a pre-configured look or sound. This is particularly useful for:

Maintaining Brand Consistency: Apply the same color grade or audio mix across all your branded content.
Accelerating Workflow: Speed up repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on creative aspects.
Experimentation: Quickly try out different looks or sound designs without committing to manual adjustments.
Sharing Settings: Easily share your custom settings with colleagues or collaborators.

How to Import Color Grading Presets

Color grading presets are among the most popular types to import. These are typically saved as .look files or within the Lumetri Color panel.

Open the Lumetri Color Panel: Go to Window > Lumetri Color.
Navigate to the "Creative" Tab: Within the Lumetri Color panel, find the "Creative" tab.
Click the "Look" Dropdown: You’ll see a dropdown menu labeled "Look."
Select "Import Generic Still…" or "Import LUT…":
- If your preset is a .look file, choose "Import Generic Still…".
- If your preset is a .cube file (a common LUT format), choose "Import LUT…".
Browse and Select Your Preset: A file browser will open. Navigate to where you saved your preset file and select it.
Apply the Preset: The imported preset will now appear in the "Look" dropdown menu, ready to be applied to your clip.

How to Import Audio Effect Presets

Audio presets are saved within the Audio Track Mixer or the Effects panel.

Open the Audio Track Mixer: Go to Window > Audio Track Mixer.
Select the Track with Audio: Choose the audio track you want to apply the preset to.
Click the "Effects" Dropdown: At the top of the track’s column, click the dropdown menu next to "Effects."
Choose "Import Presets…": Select this option from the dropdown.
Locate and Select Your Preset: Browse to your saved audio preset file (often .prfpset for effects presets).
Apply the Preset: The preset will be applied to the selected track. You can also save individual effects as presets by right-clicking on the effect in the Effect Controls panel and selecting "Save Preset."

How to Import Transition Presets

While Premiere Pro doesn’t have a dedicated "transition preset" import function in the same way as color or audio, you can achieve similar results by saving and importing Motion Graphics Templates (MOGRTs) or by saving custom effect chains.

Using MOGRTs for Transitions:

Create Your Transition: Build your desired transition using effects, keyframes, and any other elements.
Open the Essential Graphics Panel: Go to Window > Essential Graphics.
Select "Motion Graphics Template": In the Essential Graphics panel, choose "Motion Graphics Template" from the dropdown.
Drag Your Transition to the Panel: Drag the sequence or clip containing your custom transition into the panel. Premiere Pro will prompt you to save it as a MOGRT.
Export the MOGRT: Save the MOGRT to a location on your computer.
Install the MOGRT: In the Essential Graphics panel, click the "Install Motion Graphics Template" button (a plus icon) and select your saved MOGRT file.
Apply Your Custom Transition: Your MOGRT transition will now appear in the Essential Graphics panel under "Motion Graphics Templates" and can be dragged onto your timeline.

Saving Effect Chains as Presets:

For simpler transitions or effects, you can save them directly.

Apply Effects: Apply the desired effects to a clip.
Select Effects: In the Effect Controls panel, select all the effects you want to include in your preset.
Right-Click and Save Preset: Right-click on the selected effects and choose "Save Preset."
Name and Save: Give your preset a descriptive name and save it.
Importing: To import, you’ll typically place the saved .prfpset file into the Premiere Pro presets folder (location varies by OS and version) or import it through the relevant panel’s import function if available.

Where to Find Premiere Pro Presets

Many websites offer free and premium Premiere Pro presets. Look for resources that provide:

Color Grading LUTs: Websites like FilterGrade, Motion Array, and even Adobe Stock offer a vast selection.
Audio Presets: Producers and sound designers often share or sell these.
Transition Packs: Often distributed as MOGRT files.

Always ensure you download presets from reputable sources to avoid malware.

Troubleshooting Common Import Issues

Preset Not Appearing: Double-check that you’ve imported the preset into the correct panel and that the file format is compatible. Sometimes, restarting Premiere Pro can resolve this.
Incorrect Application: Ensure the preset is applied to the correct type of clip or track. A color grading preset won’t work on an audio track, for instance.
File Path Errors: If you move the preset file after importing, Premiere Pro might lose the link. Re-importing the preset from its new location is usually the fix.