by 
Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Create a black video
Head over to the Project panel and click the New Item button at the bottom. Choose Black Video from the list, keep the default settings (they match your sequence) and click OK. Then drag the new Black Video from the Project panel to your timeline. This layer is the canvas that will carry the gradient.
One click with Mako: the free Mako panel adds a color matte at the playhead, on the first free track, in one click. Get Mako for free
Step 2: Apply the Ramp effect
Open the Effects panel and search for Ramp. You will find it under Video Effects > Generate. Drag Ramp onto the black video in your timeline. Right away you should see a black to white gradient in the Program Monitor.
Faster with BetterFX: skip the Effects panel. Press your BetterFX shortcut, type the first letters of Ramp and press Enter to apply it to the selected clip. Get BetterFX
Step 3: Change the gradient colors
Make sure the black video layer is selected and open Effect Controls. Under the Ramp effect, click the Start Color swatch and pick any color you like in the color picker. Do the same thing with End Color. Colors that sit close together on the color wheel, such as cyan and blue, give a clean and modern look. Strongly different colors give a bolder result.
Step 4: Move the start and end points
Click the name Ramp in Effect Controls and two points appear in the Program Monitor. One marks where the gradient starts and the other where it ends. Drag them around to change the look. Moving them closer together makes the transition tighter, and placing them diagonally turns the gradient at an angle.
Step 5: Switch to a Radial Ramp
For a different look, open the Ramp Shape menu in Effect Controls and change it from Linear Ramp to Radial Ramp. The colors now spread out from a center point, like a soft spotlight, which makes a great backdrop for titles.
Move the center point to place the glow wherever you want it behind your content.
Tips
- Add some grain. A subtle grain overlay on top of the gradient hides banding and makes it feel more organic.
- Animate it. Add keyframes to the start or end point or to the colors for a slowly shifting background.
- Layer your content above. Place text or graphics on a higher track so the gradient stays at the bottom.
FAQ
How do I make a gradient in Premiere Pro?
Create a Black Video from the New Item menu and apply the Ramp effect to it. Then set the Start Color and End Color.
How do I change the direction of the gradient?
Click Ramp in Effect Controls and drag the start and end points in the Program Monitor.
Can I make a circular gradient?
Yes. Switch Ramp Shape from Linear Ramp to Radial Ramp.
Want ready-made backgrounds and overlays for your edits? Browse our free Premiere Pro assets.
