How to Add and Edit Text in Premiere Pro 2025: A Complete Guide
by Denis Stefanides
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5 mins
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Oct 23, 2024
Using Adobe Premiere Pro might seem hard at first, but it's actually pretty simple once you get comfortable with it. In this guide, I'm going to show you how to add and edit text in the latest 2025 version of Premiere Pro. We'll talk about the new Properties Panel, which make things easier and more organized than before. By the end, you'll be able to add and customize text for any type of video, whether it's a vlog, tutorial, or something more professional.
With the 2025 update, text customization is all done in the Properties Panel (or in Effects Controls but with limited options). In older versions, you used the Essential Graphics Panel (now renamed to the Graphics Templates Panel) for editing text, which often meant switching between multiple panels. The Essential Graphics workflow was originally designed to manage both text and graphic elements, but it required a lot of back-and-forth, which could be confusing for beginners. Now, the Properties Panel puts all the key tools in one place, making editing faster and more efficient. This change simplifies the workflow by showing only the tools you need based on your current task, reducing distractions. For more information on these updates, you can check Adobe's guide here.
How to Add Text
You have two options for adding text to your project. You can either use the classic method of adding text directly in the Program Monitor or use the new Properties Panel.
Add Text Using the Program Monitor
Select the Text Tool: Click on the T icon in the toolbar to pick the Text Tool.
Click on the Program Monitor: Click directly on the Program Monitor (the area that shows your video). A text box will pop up, and you can start typing.
Type Your Text: Type in your text, like titles or labels. You can move and resize the text box as needed to get it just right.
Add Text Using the Properties Panel
Open the Properties Panel: Go to 'Window' > 'Properties' to open this panel.
Create New Graphic: Click on "Create New Graphic".
Select Text: Then select "Text" to create a new text layer, which can be customized using the tools in the Properties Panel.
How to Position and Align Text
You have two options to position your text: you can either move it freely in the Program Monitor or use Properties Panel. The alignment features, previously available in the Essential Graphics Panel, are now fully integrated into the Properties Panel. Here's how you can position and align your text.
Free Positioning in the Program Monitor: You can move your text freely by clicking and dragging the text box directly in the Program Monitor. This is where you can see your video, making it easy to position your text exactly where you want it.
Precise Positioning and Alignment: In the "Align and Transform" section of the Properties Panel, use sliders and alignment tools to position your text precisely, whether centered, aligned to corners, or placed in any other spot that works best for your video.
How to Customize Text
You can customize your text by using various tools available in the Properties Panel. Here’s how you can do it:
Font Selection: Choose a font that suits the style of your video by using the font dropdown menu.
Font Size Adjustment: Use the slider to change the size of your text to fit your needs.
Color Customization: Click on the color box to select a color that makes your text stand out.
Text Opacity: Adjust the opacity to make your text more or less transparent, depending on the visual effect you’re aiming for.
Adding Shadows and Backgrounds: You can add shadows or background boxes to your text to improve readability, especially if your video background is busy.
All these tools are accessible from the Properties Panel, making customization easier and more intuitive than ever before.
How to Animate Text
If you want more control over your animations, you can use keyframes in Effects Controls or directly in Properties Panel:
Select your text layer in the timeline.
Go to the Properties Panel or Effect Controls panel.
Add keyframes to properties like position or opacity to create smooth animations between different points in time.
Adding Motion Blur
Pro tip: You can use the Transform effect and adjust the shutter angle in the Effects Controls panel to 180 or 360 degrees. This will add realistic motion blur to your text animation, making the movement look smoother and more natural.
Conclusion
Adding and editing text in Premiere Pro 2025 is easier than ever because of the centralized tools in the Properties Panel. It's just a new practice that we all need to get used to. The new Properties Panel brings all editing tools together, so you don't have to switch between panels. These updates make the workflow better for beginners and more intuitive for experienced users.
Don't be afraid to try different fonts, colors, and animations. Playing around with these tools is the key to getting good at them, and the more you explore, the more creative options you'll find. With practice, you'll get comfortable using these new features to create awesome video content. If you found this guide helpful, check out our other beginner-friendly Premiere Pro tutorials:
Keep practicing, and soon you'll be adding text like a pro! If you have any questions or just want to chat about these changes, feel free to DM me on Twitter/X @DenisStefanides.
Denis Stefanides
After 15 years in Motion Design—working with major brands like Nike and Adidas and leading projects like Photomotion—I’m now focused on helping creators make better videos. My goal is to simplify the process for others with Spotlight FX, giving them the right tools to create professional content without the hassle.
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