When you add a title in Premiere Pro, it can really step up the production value of your videos. It’s a fantastic way to introduce a topic, display a segment’s title, or credit the creators when wrapping up. As someone who’s edited with Premiere Pro, I know it’s not just about slapping on some text; it’s an opportunity to be creative with your graphics and really enhance your viewers’ experience.
In my editing workflow, I usually start by having my sequence ready on the timeline, so deciding when to introduce the title is key. It has to be at the right moment to catch the audience’s attention. Premiere Pro makes this process smooth with its intuitive interface, providing me with tools to place text directly on the video. The Essential Graphics panel is especially handy, giving me a range of customization options for font, size, color, and other text properties—all of which are crucial for making titles that are both informative and visually appealing.
Mastering how to effectively add titles is just one of those skills that can transform a good video into a great one, and I’m always excited to explore the full range of graphics options available in Premiere Pro.
How To Add a Title in Premiere Pro
Adding titles is a key step in post-production that gives viewers context and enhances the professional look of my content. I’ll walk you through how to access the tools, customize fonts and properties, and even dabble in some basic animation to make your text stand out.
Accessing the Essential Graphics Panel
To start, I always open the Essential Graphics Panel, which is the hub for working with text and graphics. I simply go to the Window menu at the top and make sure Essential Graphics is checked. In this panel, you can browse various Motion Graphics templates, if you’re looking for a quick start, or begin creating your text from scratch.
Utilizing the Type Tool
Next up, it’s time to put the words on the screen. I use the Type Tool (T) to click on my program monitor where I want my text to appear. Instantly, a Text Box pops up, and I type in my desired title. This plain text is a blank canvas, and it’s where the transformation begins.
Customizing Text Properties
With my text selected, I work my magic in the Edit tab within the Essential Graphics Panel. Here’s where the style comes to life:
- Font: I select my font from a dropdown, choosing the one that best matches the mood of my project.
- Font Style & Size: For emphasis, I tweak the style and size.
- Color: I pick a color that stands out against my backgroundThe part of a scene or picture that is farthest from the viewer, typically behind the main subject., ensuring readability.
- Alignment: Proper alignment is crucial; left, center, or right can dramatically affect the layout.
- Animation: If I’m feeling fancy, I may add a bit of animation using keyframes in the Effect Controls panel.
Customizing these properties lets me tailor the message and aesthetic to the video’s needs, making the titles an integral part of the storytelling process.
Enhancing Your Titles
When I add titles to a video in Premiere Pro, I love to give them a little extra flair. Using just right effectsVisual or audio effects used to create illusions or enhance scenes, including practical effects and computer-generated imagery (CGI). and animations, I can make my text pop and maintain the viewer’s attention.
Applying Effects and Transitions
For starters, I often use the Effects panel to add some visual interest to my titles. Here’s how I do it:
- I select my title clip in the timeline.
- In the Effects panel, I browse through categories and drag an effect onto my title.
To customize color and opacity:
- I click on the title clip in the timeline.
- In the Effect Controls panel, I tweak settings like Color and Opacity to get the look I want.
And when it comes to transitions, this is my quick guide:
Action | Instruction |
---|---|
Add Transition | Right-click on the title’s beginning or end and choose a Transition from the menu. |
Edit Transition | Click on the transition in the timeline and adjust its duration or type in the Effect Controls panel. |
Animating Text
Now, if I want my text to move, I have a couple of options:
- Motion Graphics: I can use the Essential Graphics panel to apply dynamic presets with predefined motions.
- Manual Animation: For more control, I manually animate text using keyframes:
- I open the Effect Controls panel.
- Click the stopwatch next to the property I want to animate, say Position.
- Move the playhead to where I want the animation to end.
- Change the position value to create movement.
To give my text depth, I may also add a Drop Shadow effect by going into the Effects panel and dragging the Drop Shadow effect onto my text.
To frameA single image or still in a sequence of images that make up a film; also refers to the edges of the visible area on screen. my text nicely, sometimes I add a Background or Stroke. I do that by:
- Opening the Edit tab in the Essential Graphics panel.
- Clicking on my text layer.
- Then, in the Appearance section, I add a new layer for the background or simply enable the stroke and choose my color and width.
With these enhancements, my titles are not only informative but also a lot more engaging.
Finalizing and Exporting Your Project
Before I dive into the exporting process, I always make sure my titles look spot-on in the preview window. It’s all about double-checking the motion and duration of my titles within my timeline to ensure everything aligns perfectly with my video.
Previewing and Adjusting your Titles
I like to scrub through my timeline in Adobe Premiere Pro and pause on my titles. Then, I hitA precise moment in the script or performance where an action, line, or effect occurs, often used to emphasize timing. the spacebar
to play the sequence and watch how my titles animate and disappear. It’s crucial to keep an eye on the preview window at this point. If something needs tweaking, I select the title in the timeline and adjust the motion or duration directly. Adjustments might include changing font size, color, or motion effects.
Adjustment Checklist:
- Font Size & Color: Make sure these are consistent.
- Motion Effects: Check if the animations are smooth.
- Duration: Titles should be on screen long enough to read but not too long that they overstay their welcome.
Exporting Your Video with Titles
Once I’m happy with the titles, I move on to exporting. I go to File > Export > Media
, which brings up the export settings window. Here, I select my format—often H.264 for web use. In this window, I can also choose the preset that matches my video’s final destination.
Before I hit the Export
button, I do a final check in the output preview to ensure my titles display exactly as I want them in the final video.
Export Settings Quick Reference:
- Format: Usually H.264
- Preset: Matched to the destination, say 1080p for HD video
- Output Preview: My last chance to check titles in context
By keeping things casual and focused, I make sure that the titles will contribute to the video’s story without any technical hiccups.
Jay Neill
Jay Neill is the founder, owner, and managing editor of iFILMthings and believes everyone should have access to the film resources they need to plan their filmmaking project, which is why he’s dedicated iFILMthings to helping all filmmakers.