Color Grading Workflow in Premiere Pro for a Cinematic Look

Color grading is one of the most powerful ways to give your video a cinematic feel. In Premiere Pro, the Lumetri Color panel offers a wide range of tools for achieving professional results. In this guide, we’ll go step-by-step through a grading workflow that will make your footage look polished and film-ready. For creative LUTs and grading presets, check out our Premiere Color Presets.

Step 1: Correct Before You Grade

Start with basic corrections to ensure your footage has a balanced foundation. In the Lumetri panel, adjust white balance, exposure, and contrast so that your image looks natural before applying any creative looks.

Step 2: Use Scopes for Accuracy

Rely on the Waveform, Vectorscope, and Histogram to monitor brightness and color levels. This helps you make precise adjustments instead of guessing by eye.

Step 3: Apply a Base LUT

For a quick cinematic tone, apply a LUT (Look-Up Table) as your starting point. Keep intensity around 50–70% to avoid over-processing. You can find film-inspired LUTs in our Premiere Color Presets.

Step 4: Adjust Contrast and Curves

Fine-tune your image with the Curves section. Use the RGB Curves to add contrast and the Hue vs Hue curves to shift specific colors for style.

Step 5: Create the Cinematic Teal & Orange Look

Boost orange tones in skin and shift shadows towards teal in the Color Wheels section. This popular look works well for action, drama, and travel videos.

Step 6: Add Vignette for Focus

A subtle vignette helps draw attention to the subject. Keep it soft and light to avoid making it obvious.

Step 7: Use Adjustment Layers

Instead of applying color changes to each clip individually, use an adjustment layer over the entire sequence. This keeps your timeline clean and makes global changes easier. Learn more about efficient workflows with our Premiere Studio Bundle.

Step 8: Match Shots for Consistency

Use Lumetri’s Color Match feature to keep shots consistent. This is especially useful when filming in changing light conditions.

Step 9: Export with the Right Settings

Export in the highest quality your platform allows, keeping color space and gamma settings consistent with your grading workflow.

Pro Tips

• Work in a dimly lit room to see colors more accurately.
• Use reference images from films you admire.
• Save your grading settings as presets for future projects.

Conclusion

With a structured workflow and the right tools, color grading in Premiere Pro can elevate your videos from ordinary to cinematic. Experiment with these techniques and explore our Premiere Color Presets to speed up your creative process.