How to Add Fonts to Premiere Pro in a Few Easy Steps

How to Add Fonts to Adobe Premiere Pro for Captions and Subtitles

Subtitles and captions make videos more accessible and easier to understand. Adding custom fonts to captions and subtitles in Adobe Premiere Pro lets you personalize the look of your videos and improve readability. This step-by-step guide will help you add fonts and use them for captions and subtitles in Premiere Pro.

Steps to Add Fonts to Premiere Pro

Step 1: Download a Font File

• Go to a font website, such as Google Fonts or DaFont.
• Search for the font you want and download the file, usually in a ".zip" format.
• Always check the license. Some fonts are only free for personal use, not for commercial projects (source).

Step 2: Install the Font on Your Computer

• Unzip the downloaded file to access the font file, which usually ends in .ttf or .otf.
• Double-click the font file, then click “Install” (Windows) or “Install Font” (Mac).
• Close all Adobe apps before installing to ensure proper loading.

Step 3: Confirm the Font Appears in Premiere Pro

• Open Adobe Premiere Pro after installing the font.
• Go to any text-editing section, such as the Caption or Graphics workspace.
• Check the available font list for your new font. If it's missing, restart your computer.

Step 4: Import Your Subtitle or Caption File

• Make sure you have a subtitle file ready, such as .srt, .txt, or .ttml.
• Go to File > Import in Premiere Pro.
• Select your subtitle file and click “Open.”
• If prompted, choose your language and caption format.

Note: .TTML files work best with Premiere Pro. Files with the wrong encoding may display errors like asterisks or blocks instead of text.

Step 5: Enable Captions on Your Timeline

• Find your imported caption track in the timeline below your video.
• To display captions, click the “wrench” icon in the Program Monitor’s lower right corner.
• Select “Closed Captions Display” and set it to “Enable.”

Step 6: Review Your Subtitles or Captions

• Play the video to review how the text appears with the audio.
• Check for syncing issues, spelling mistakes, or words that are hard to read.
• If you find mistakes, edit the subtitle file and re-import it.
• Make sure every subtitle stays visible long enough to read.

Tip: For error-free text, you can use transcription proofreading services to review your subtitles before importing.

Step 7: Change and Customize Font Styles

• Select your caption or subtitle track in the timeline.
• Go to the “Essential Graphics” panel in Premiere Pro.
• Highlight the text you want to change.
• Use the options to choose the font, size, color, and background for your text.

Experiment with different fonts to see which style suits your video.

Step 8: Final Review Before Publishing

• Watch your entire video with captions or subtitles turned on.
• Look out for any text that runs off-screen or is covered by other visual elements.
• Make sure the font remains clear and easy to read throughout the video.

When everything looks correct, your video is ready to publish with custom fonts on its captions and subtitles.

Best Fonts for Captions and Subtitles in Premiere Pro

The right font can increase readability and viewer enjoyment. Here are some popular, reliable fonts for subtitles and captions:

• Arial
  • Crisp, clean, and very readable on any background.
  • Arial Black provides more space for gaps but can look bulky with lots of text lines.
• STIXGeneral
  • Popular for documentaries and journalism because it looks professional.
  • Great for adding a serious tone or credibility to your project.
• Futura
  • Versatile sans serif font, visible on most backgrounds.
  • Commonly used in marketing and online content with heavy on-screen text.
  • The condensed version is good for fitting longer lines of text in tight spaces.

For more on font choices, check tips on the best fonts for subtitles.

Why Font Choice Matters for Accessibility

• The right font size and style can improve comprehension for viewers with dyslexia or low vision (National Institutes of Health, 2020).
• Clear and simple typefaces help keep text visible against all backgrounds.
• Accessible captions can boost engagement and reach for your videos (closed caption services help ensure compliance).

GoTranscript Can Help With Subtitles and Captions

Adding custom fonts is just one part of making your videos clear and accessible. For high-quality subtitles and captions, professional transcription services like GoTranscript provide accurate and timely text. If you want speed and cost efficiency, try automated transcription or an AI transcription subscription.

• Closed caption services: Ensure accessibility for everyone.
• Subtitling services: Reach global audiences with translated and timed subtitles.
• Text Translation and audio translation services: Break language barriers in your media.

Curious about affordable solutions? Check transcription pricing and captioning services pricing. Ready to get started? Order your transcription or order captions online now. With GoTranscript, you can focus on visuals while we handle the text and accessibility side for you.