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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Create an adjustment layer
Grade on an adjustment layer instead of on each clip. Go to the Project panel, click the New Item button at the bottom and choose Adjustment Layer. Confirm with OK, then drag the layer onto a track above your footage and stretch it so that it covers all the clips you want to grade. Every clip beneath it now shares the same look, and you can change or switch it off in one place.
One click with Mako: the free Mako panel adds an adjustment layer over the selected clips, at the playhead, on the first free track, in one click. Get Mako for free
Step 2: Open the Lumetri Color panel
Select the adjustment layer and open Window > Lumetri Color. If the entry already has a check mark, the panel is open and you can find it next to the Effects and Essential Graphics panels. It contains sections such as Basic Correction and Creative, and the Creative section is where the looks live.
Step 3: Browse the looks
Open the Creative section. The Look menu starts on None and shows a preview thumbnail of your shot. Click the menu to see the built in looks, and use the small arrows next to the preview to flip through them one by one. Watch the Program Monitor while you do it, because the preview thumbnail only shows a rough idea of the final result.
Step 4: Load your own LUT
Have a LUT file from a pack or from your camera? Open the Look menu and choose Browse. A window titled Select a Look or LUT opens. Find the file (supported types include .look and .cube) and click Open. Premiere Pro applies it to the adjustment layer and adds it to the list for the rest of your session. If you want a step by step for this, our guide to importing LUTs in Premiere Pro covers it.
Step 5: Lower the intensity
A LUT at full strength is often too much. Drag the Intensity slider below the preview to blend the look with your original footage. In the video the slider sits at roughly half to two thirds, which keeps the style but stays natural. Compare the result with the ungraded shot by toggling the adjustment layer on and off.
Step 6: Fine tune the adjustments
Below the Intensity slider you will find Faded Film, Sharpen, Vibrance and Saturation. Use them to polish the look: more Faded Film lifts the blacks for a retro feel, Vibrance boosts muted colors without over saturating skin tones, and Saturation controls overall color strength. Further down, the Shadow Tint and Highlight Tint wheels let you push the darks and the brights toward different colors, which is a classic way to get a cinematic split tone.
Tips
- Correct first, grade second. Fix exposure and white balance in Basic Correction before you apply a creative look, otherwise the LUT can look wrong.
- Use the same look across a scene. One adjustment layer over the whole scene keeps your clips consistent.
- Do not trust one monitor. Check your grade on another screen or on your phone before you export.
FAQ
What is a LUT?
LUT stands for Look Up Table. It is a file that remaps the colors of a clip to a specific look, so you can apply a full color grade in one click.
Where do I find LUTs in Premiere Pro?
Open Lumetri Color > Creative and use the Look menu. It lists the built in looks, and Browse lets you load your own files.
Why does my LUT look too strong?
Lower the Intensity slider or fix the exposure of the clip first, because a LUT depends on well exposed footage.
Want ready-made looks for your next grade? Check out the Ultimate Color Presets Pack.
