1. The Essentials: Using the Essential Graphics Panel
This is the primary method for creating and editing titles in Premiere Pro.
* Accessing the Essential Graphics Panel:
* Go to Window > Essential Graphics (or use the shortcut Alt+Shift+5 on Windows or Option+Shift+5 on macOS).
* Creating a New Title:
* In the Essential Graphics Panel, click the "New Layer" icon (usually a square with a + sign). You'll see several options:
* Text: Creates a standard text layer.
* Vertical Text: Creates a text layer with the characters stacked vertically.
* Rectangle/Ellipse: Creates a shape layer that you can use as a background for your text or as a visual element.
* From Template: Uses a pre-designed title template. (More on templates later)
* Adding Text:
* Select the Text Tool (T) from the Tools panel (or press `T`).
* Click directly in the Program Monitor (the video preview window) where you want the text to appear.
* Type your text.
* Editing Text Properties (Within the Essential Graphics Panel):
* Font: Choose your font from the dropdown menu. Premiere Pro has a large selection, and you can filter them by style (e.g., serif, sans-serif, decorative).
* Font Style: (If available for the font) Select the style (e.g., Bold, Italic, Light).
* Font Size: Adjust the text size.
* Faux Styles: Some fonts may not have built-in bold or italic versions. Premiere Pro can simulate these with "Faux Styles." Use these with caution, as they don't always look good.
* Leading (Vertical Spacing): Adjusts the spacing between lines of text.
* Kerning (Horizontal Spacing): Adjusts the spacing between individual letters.
* Tracking (Overall Horizontal Spacing): Adjusts the spacing between all letters in the text.
* Baseline Shift: Moves the text up or down relative to its baseline.
* Fill: The color of the text. Click the color swatch to open the color picker.
* Stroke (Outline): Adds an outline to the text. Adjust the thickness and color of the stroke.
* Background: Adds a solid background behind the text. Adjust the color and opacity.
* Shadow: Adds a shadow to the text. Adjust the color, opacity, angle, distance, and size of the shadow.
* Opacity: Adjusts the overall transparency of the text.
* Appearance: Use different blend modes.
* Alignment and Positioning:
* Vertical Alignment: Top, Center, Bottom.
* Horizontal Alignment: Left, Center, Right.
* Transform: Located under "Effect Controls" for more precision
* Position: Change the X and Y coordinates to move the text. You can also click and drag the text directly in the Program Monitor.
* Scale: Make the text larger or smaller.
* Rotation: Rotate the text.
* Anchor Point: The point around which the text scales and rotates. By default, it's the center.
* Adding the Title to Your Timeline:
* After creating the title in the Essential Graphics panel, it will appear as a graphic clip in your Project panel.
* Drag the graphic clip from the Project panel onto your timeline, on a video track *above* your main video.
* Adjust the duration of the title by dragging the edges of the clip on the timeline.
2. Working with Title Templates (MOGRT Files)
Premiere Pro comes with many pre-designed title templates, and you can download or purchase more. These are Motion Graphics Templates (MOGRT files).
* Finding Templates:
* In the Essential Graphics Panel, switch from the "Edit" tab to the "Browse" tab.
* Browse through the available templates. You can filter by category (e.g., titles, lower thirds, bumpers).
* Adobe Stock: A large library of free and paid motion graphics templates. You can browse them directly from within Premiere Pro.
* Using a Template:
* Drag the template from the Browse tab onto your timeline.
* Select the template clip on the timeline.
* Go back to the "Edit" tab of the Essential Graphics Panel.
* You'll see editable parameters specific to that template. These usually include text fields, color options, and sometimes more advanced controls.
* Modify the text, colors, and other settings to customize the template to your needs.
* Creating Your Own Templates (Advanced):
* You can create your own MOGRT files in After Effects and then import them into Premiere Pro to use as title templates. This is more advanced and requires knowledge of After Effects.
3. Adding Text and Titles Using the Legacy Titler (Older Versions)
The Legacy Titler is an older method, but still accessible in Premiere Pro. However, the Essential Graphics panel is the preferred and more modern approach.
* Accessing the Legacy Titler:
* Go to File > New > Legacy Title.
* Give the title a name and click OK. The Legacy Titler window will open.
* Creating and Editing Text in the Legacy Titler:
* The Legacy Titler interface is different from the Essential Graphics panel.
* Use the Type Tool (T) to add text directly in the Titler window.
* The Titler window has controls for font, size, alignment, fill, stroke, shadows, and other properties. The interface is less intuitive than the Essential Graphics panel.
* When you're finished editing the title, close the Legacy Titler window. The title will appear in your Project panel as a clip.
* Drag the clip onto your timeline.
4. Animating Titles:
Premiere Pro offers several ways to animate titles:
* Keyframes in the Effect Controls Panel:
* Select the title clip on your timeline.
* Go to the Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls or Shift+5).
* Under the Video Effects section (usually under "Motion" for basic titles created in Essential Graphics, but specific to any effects you've added), find the properties you want to animate (e.g., Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity).
* Click the stopwatch icon next to the property to enable keyframing.
* Move the playhead (current time indicator) to the point on the timeline where you want the animation to begin.
* Adjust the property to its starting value. This will create the first keyframe.
* Move the playhead to a later point in time.
* Adjust the property to its ending value. This will create the second keyframe.
* Premiere Pro will automatically create the animation between the keyframes.
* You can add more keyframes to create more complex animations.
* Right-click on keyframes to change their interpolation (e.g., Linear, Bezier, Smooth). Bezier gives you more control over the animation curve.
* Using Presets:
* Premiere Pro has built-in animation presets that you can apply to titles. These are found in the Effects Panel (Window > Effects or Shift+7).
* Look for the "Animation Presets" bin.
* There are categories like "Blur," "Distort," "Fly In," "Fly Out," etc.
* Drag an animation preset onto your title clip on the timeline. Premiere Pro will automatically apply the animation.
* You can adjust the settings of the preset in the Effect Controls panel to customize the animation.
* Motion Graphics Templates (MOGRTs):
* As mentioned earlier, MOGRTs often contain pre-built animations. When you use a MOGRT, the animation is already set up, and you just need to customize the text and other parameters.
* Using Effects
* Effects such as blur, warp and distortion can also be applied to text.
5. Tips and Best Practices:
* Font Choice: Choose fonts that are clear, readable, and appropriate for the style of your video. Avoid overly decorative or complicated fonts.
* Contrast: Make sure your text has good contrast against the background. Use colors that stand out. Add a stroke or background to the text if necessary.
* Placement: Place titles in areas of the screen that are not obscured by important visual elements. Avoid placing titles in the very corners of the screen.
* Timing: Give viewers enough time to read the text. Avoid titles that flash by too quickly.
* Consistency: Use a consistent style for your titles throughout your video. This includes font, color, size, and animation.
* Safe Margins: Keep titles within the title safe margins to ensure they are visible on all screens. Premiere Pro displays the title safe margin by default, which can be toggled on and off.
* Readability: Consider the color and brightness of the background when you are choosing the color of the text. A dark background pairs well with a light text color and vice versa.
Troubleshooting:
* Text Not Showing Up:
* Make sure the title clip is on a video track above your main video.
* Check the opacity of the title clip.
* Make sure the text color is not the same as the background color.
* Ensure the text layer is enabled in the Essential Graphics panel. Sometimes, a layer can be accidentally turned off.
* Text is Pixelated:
* Make sure your sequence settings (resolution, frame rate) are appropriate for your video.
* Increase the font size.
* Animation Not Working:
* Make sure you have enabled keyframing for the properties you want to animate.
* Check the keyframe values.
* Ensure the playhead is positioned correctly on the timeline.
By understanding these concepts and practicing, you can create professional-looking titles that enhance your videos. Start with the Essential Graphics panel, experiment with templates, and gradually explore more advanced animation techniques.