Subtitles and captions are widely used in today’s film and video production. Whether you want to convey more information on your documentary or simply attempt to make the viewers comprehend your movie better, there are various reasons why you might need to include text on the screen.
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the tools that film and video makers use to add text to their work. One advantage of using the software is that you may choose custom fonts. So, in this article, we’ll go over how to add fonts to Premiere Pro and use them for captions and subtitles.
Importing Fonts to Premiere Pro
There are already many useful and fascinating default typefaces in Adobe Premiere Pro, but that should not stop you from adding more font styles. Follow the steps below to learn how to add fonts to Premiere Pro so you can use them for captions and subtitles.
1. Obtaining the typeface’s “.zip” file
The first step, like with importing a font into any other program, is to download the typeface’s “.zip” file. It is available from websites such as DaFont, Google Fonts, and Abstract Fonts.
These websites offer zip files containing numerous typefaces that you may download for free. However, you should be aware of their copyrights because many of the fonts are only free for personal use and not for commercial use.
2. Install the font to your computer
The next step is installing the font on your computer. This can be accomplished by unzipping the file and installing the font files inside one at a time. Remember to close any Adobe apps before proceeding with this step.
3. Check if the font works on Premiere Pro
Now that you have installed the new font into your computer, you should be able to use it within any program. To see if the font has been properly installed, launch Premiere Pro and go to the font toolbar. Check to see if the new typeface is available in the font options list.
4. Import subtitle file for your video
In this step, let us assume that you already have a subtitle file prepared for your video. Now, on the toolbar, select “Import” from the “File” section and click “Open.”
Locate and load the subtitle file into your video. After that, you should notice a subtitle section below your video clip.
To display the subtitle on your video, select the “wrench” symbol in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click the icon, then click “Closed Captions Display” and choose “Enable”.
It’s worth noting that “.TTML” subtitle files work best with Premiere Pro. If the subtitle file you’re using lacks a proper encoding format, you can get an error during playback. Because of the incorrect encoding, your movie will only display asterisks or blocks instead of text.
5. See how the subtitles work on the video
Before proceeding, we must ensure that the subtitles display correctly in the video. This is necessary so that the subtitles do not confuse the audience.
The most important thing to look at here is how the text flows about the video’s dialogue and audio. Also, double-check the subtitles for any misspelt words.
If you find an error in the subtitles, return to the subtitle editor and have it corrected. After the adjustment, you must re-import the subtitle file.
6. Changing the subtitles’ font
Go to the “Sequence” section to see the subtitle on the editing screen. You can change the font type, size, and color of the subtitles using the available options.
7. Reviewing the final result
Congrats! You’ve now learned how to add fonts to Premiere Pro and use them correctly for captions and subtitles.
It is now time to do a final review of your work before it is published. Aside from misspellings and grammatical errors, make sure that all of the subtitles are visible throughout the video.
The Best Fonts for Premiere Pro
Using inappropriate fonts for your captions and subtitles can result in poor visibility. Here are seven suggested typefaces for your videos, along with some more information to help you choose.
1. Arial
Arial is the best choice for a safe and visible typeface. Because of its serious lack of differentiation, it has been a favorite choice for years.
You can also use Arial Black font if your subtitles have a lot of gaps. When working with lengthier sentences, however, this font style may become a little bulky because of the larger and bolder form.
2. STIXGeneral
This font style is popular among those who want a clean, professional image for their documentaries or video journalistic works. It’s also perfect for titles to help set the tone.
If you want to add some credibility to your project, it’s worth a go. Depending on the type of clip you’re creating, this font can also help elevate the image.
3. Futura
Futura is a versatile sans serif font that works well in almost any circumstance. It’s very clear and visible on a variety of backdrops.
It’s common in online promotional videos with a lot of text on the screen. It is popular among video producers as a regular font, but its condensed typeface form is also handy when cramming a lot of text into a tiny space.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve learned how to add fonts to Premiere Pro and use them for captions and subtitles, it’s time to experiment with different typefaces to make your clips more engaging and inclusive.
However, when choosing a font for your film, keep in mind that it should be clear and informative. The aim here is to avoid using typefaces that are distracting or detract from the other spatial elements on the screen. More importantly, you must provide high-quality captions and subtitles to your audience. If you don’t know how to create one, GoTranscript can produce it for you, so all you need to do is learn how to add fonts to Premiere Pro and work on the visual components.