7 Premiere Pro Tips and Tricks to Speed Up Your Video Editing Workflow
- Master Keyboard Shortcuts for Lightning Speed
- Leverage Proxy Files for Smoother Editing
- Optimize Playback Resolution for Real-time Performance
- Streamline Color Grading with Adjustment Layers
- Utilize Master Clip Effects for Consistent Looks
- Organize Your Project from the Start
- Implement Ripple Delete for Quick Gap Closure
You’re not alone. Even experienced editors can find themselves stuck in slow, inefficient workflows.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your entire process to edit faster. By incorporating a few key tips and workflow tricks used by professional editors, you can dramatically speed up your Premiere Pro workflow, improve performance, and free up more time for creativity.
In this post, we’ll reveal 7 essential Premiere Pro tips and tricks that will level up your editing speed and efficiency — whether you’re a freelancer, content creator, or professional video editor.
Professional Premiere Pro Templates
Master Keyboard Shortcuts for Lightning Speed
- One of the fastest ways to upgrade your editing game is by learning keyboard shortcuts in Premiere Pro. These are small keystrokes with massive time-saving potential.Some essentials include:
- Split at playhead: Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) – quickly cut clips without switching tools.
- Razor Tool: C – easily slice clips where needed.
- Selection Tool: V – switch back to the primary tool in a flash.
You can also customize your shortcut keys under Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts (or Premiere Pro > Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac) to match your workflow style.
This Premiere Pro tip is a favorite among top editors because less mouse movement equals more speed. Want to cut even faster? Check out this collection of time-saving templates to streamline your transitions and effects.
Leverage Proxy Files for Smoother Editing
Proxies are lower-resolution versions of your clips that replace the originals during the editing phase. Once you’re ready to export, Premiere uses the full-resolution files.
How to create proxies:
- Right-click your media in the Project panel.
- Go to Proxy > Create Proxies.
- Choose a preset and hit OK.
Then toggle proxies on/off via the Toggle Proxies button in the Program Monitor.
This technique can drastically improve performance in Premiere Pro, especially on slower machines or during intensive edits.
Optimize Playback Resolution for Real-time Performance
To change it:
- In the Program Monitor, use the dropdown menu to select 1/2 or 1/4 resolution.
- For smoother scrubbing, toggle off High Quality Playback (wrench icon > deselect).
This Premiere Pro tip is perfect for those wondering how to use Adobe video editing tools more efficiently during review and rough cuts.
Need quick access to professional-quality transitions and overlays? Browse these Premiere Pro video templates for drag-and-drop simplicity.
Streamline Color Grading with Adjustment Layers
Here’s how:
- Go to the Project Panel > New Item > Adjustment Layer.
- Drag it above your video clips on the timeline.
- Apply Lumetri Color (or any grading effect) to the layer.
This technique makes global color changes easier and avoids duplicated work, especially in longer edits. It’s one of the most efficient tips on video editing that pros swear by.
Utilize Master Clip Effects for Consistent Looks
Steps:
- Open your clip in the Source Monitor.
- Apply your effect (e.g., Lumetri Color, Warp Stabilizer).
- Every instance of that clip in any sequence will reflect the change.
This method is gold for maintaining visual consistency across interviews or B-roll, and one of the lesser-known but powerful Premiere workflow strategies.
Organize Your Project from the Start
Tips:
- Create bins for footage, audio, graphics, exports, etc.
- Use clear naming conventions and color labels.
- Back up regularly.
Looking for video editing advice for faster editing? Most pros will tell you: a clean project is a fast project.
Implement Ripple Delete for Quick Gap Closure
Shortcut: Shift + Delete
This removes the selected clip and automatically snaps everything forward, saving you extra clicks.
Combine this with other Premiere Pro shortcut cut keys and you’ll be editing like a machine in no time.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering how to Adobe Premiere faster and more effectively, these tips are a great start.
