How to Add Presets to Lightroom: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 7 min read

Adobe Lightroom is a powerful tool that allows photographers and enthusiasts alike to edit their photos with ease. One of the most useful features in Lightroom is the ability to add presets, which can help you achieve consistent looks across your images in just a few clicks. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to add presets to Lightroom and make the most of this fantastic feature.

Getting Started with Presets

Before you can start using presets in Lightroom, you'll need to import and organize them. In this section, we'll cover the basics of importing and organizing presets, so you can easily find and apply them to your images.

Importing Presets

Adding presets to Lightroom is a simple process. Just follow these steps:

Download the preset files, which usually come in the form of .lrtemplate or .xmp files.
Open Lightroom and navigate to the Develop module.
On the left side of the screen, you'll find the Presets panel. Click the "+" icon at the top right corner of the panel and select "Import Presets" from the dropdown menu.
Browse to the location where you saved the downloaded preset files, select them, and click "Import."

Voilà! The presets are now imported and ready to be used in Lightroom.

Organizing Presets

Now that you know how to add presets to Lightroom, it's important to keep them organized. Here's how to create folders and manage your presets efficiently:

To create a new folder, right-click (or control-click on Mac) on an existing folder or preset, and select "Create Folder" from the context menu.
Name your new folder and press Enter or click outside of the text box to save the name.
Drag and drop presets into the folder to organize them. You can also right-click on a preset and select "Move" to place it in a different folder.

Properly organizing your presets will make it much easier to find the perfect one for your images when you need it.

Using Adobe Lightroom Presets

Now that you've learned how to add presets to Lightroom and keep them organized, it's time to put them to use. In this section, we'll discuss applying, adjusting, and creating custom presets to enhance your photos.

Applying Presets

Applying a preset in Lightroom is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these steps:

Select the image you want to edit in the Library or Develop module.
Click on the Presets panel on the left side of the screen to expand it.
Scroll through the presets and click on the one you want to apply. Your image will instantly update with the new look.

Keep in mind that you can always undo the preset by pressing Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) or by selecting a different preset.

Adjusting Presets

While presets can be a great starting point, you might find that you need to tweak them to suit your specific image. Here's how you can adjust presets in Lightroom:

With the preset applied to your image, look at the various panels on the right side of the Develop module, such as Basic, Tone Curve, and HSL/Color.
Adjust the sliders and settings in these panels to fine-tune the look of the preset. For example, you might increase exposure, adjust the white balance, or modify the contrast to better suit your photo.
Remember, experimentation is key! Don't be afraid to play around with different settings to see how they affect your image.

By adjusting presets, you can ensure that they enhance your photos in the best way possible.

Creating Custom Presets

Sometimes, you might want to create your own custom preset to achieve a unique look or to save time when editing similar images. Here's how to create a custom preset in Lightroom:

Edit an image using the various panels and sliders in the Develop module until you're happy with the results.
Click the "+" icon at the top right corner of the Presets panel and select "Create Preset" from the dropdown menu.
Choose a name for your new preset and select which settings you want to save within it. You can save settings from multiple panels, so be sure to check all the relevant boxes.
Click "Create" to save your custom preset. It will now appear in the Presets panel, ready for you to apply to other images.

Creating custom presets is an excellent way to develop your own signature style and streamline your editing process.

Top Lightroom Preset Sources

In addition to creating your own presets, you can also find a wealth of presets created by other photographers and designers. These presets can save you time and help you achieve professional-looking edits. Let's explore some top Lightroom preset sources that are popular among photographers.

Sleeklens

Sleeklens offers a wide range of professionally designed presets for Lightroom, catering to various photography styles and genres. They provide both free and paid collections, allowing you to find the perfect presets to match your needs. The Sleeklens presets are known for their high-quality and versatility, making them a popular choice among photographers.

Greater Than Gatsby

Greater Than Gatsby is another excellent source for Lightroom presets, with an emphasis on artistic and creative styles. Their presets are designed to help you achieve a specific mood or look, such as vintage, film, or moody tones. They offer both free and paid collections, and their website also features helpful tutorials on how to get the most out of their presets.

Presetpro

Presetpro offers a vast selection of Lightroom presets, catering to various photography genres and editing styles. They provide both free and paid collections, and their presets are known for being easy to use and customize. In addition to presets, Presetpro also offers tutorials and editing tips, making it a great resource for photographers looking to improve their editing skills.

These are just a few of the many Lightroom preset sources available online. Don't hesitate to explore other options and find the presets that best suit your style and preferences.

Once you've mastered the art of creating and using presets, you might want to share your custom presets with others or export them for safekeeping. In this section, we'll cover how to export and share presets in Lightroom.

Exporting Presets

Exporting presets is a simple process that allows you to save your custom presets as individual files, which can be stored, backed up, or shared with others. Here's how to do it:

Open Lightroom and navigate to the Develop module.
Locate the Presets panel on the left side of the screen.
Find the preset you want to export and right-click (or Ctrl-click for Mac) on it.
Select "Export" from the context menu.
Choose a location to save the exported preset file (usually in .lrtemplate or .xmp format).
Click "Save" to complete the export process.

Now you have a backup of your custom preset, which can be imported back into Lightroom or shared with others.

Sharing your custom presets is a great way to collaborate with other photographers, help fellow editors, or even showcase your editing style. To share a preset, follow the steps to export it (as mentioned above) and then simply send the exported preset file to the recipient. They can then import the preset into their Lightroom following the steps mentioned in the "Importing Presets" section.

There are numerous ways to share presets—through email, social media, file-sharing platforms, or even by creating your own website or blog to showcase your custom presets. The choice is yours!

Now that you know how to add presets to Lightroom, organize and use them, and even share your creations with others, you're well-equipped to take your photo editing game to the next level. Happy editing!

Managing Presets in Lightroom Mobile

With the increasing popularity of mobile photography and on-the-go editing, it's essential to know how to manage presets in Lightroom Mobile. In this section, we'll cover syncing presets from your desktop to your mobile device and how to use presets on your mobile device.

Syncing Presets

Syncing presets from your Lightroom desktop to your mobile device is a convenient way to ensure you have your favorite presets with you at all times. Here's how to sync presets to Lightroom Mobile:

Make sure you're using the latest version of Lightroom on both your desktop and mobile devices, and that you're signed in to your Adobe Creative Cloud account on both devices.
In Lightroom on your desktop, navigate to the Develop module.
Find the preset you want to sync and right-click (or Ctrl-click for Mac) on it.
Select "Create Preset" from the context menu.
In the "New Develop Preset" window, make sure the "Include in Sync" checkbox is selected.
Click "Create" to save the synced preset.

Your synced preset will now be available in Lightroom Mobile on your connected device.

Using Presets on Mobile

Applying presets to your photos in Lightroom Mobile is just as simple as on your desktop. Here's how to use presets on your mobile device:

Open Lightroom Mobile and select the photo you want to edit.
Tap the "Presets" icon located at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll through the available presets and tap on the one you want to apply.
Adjust the strength of the preset using the slider, if desired.
Tap the checkmark icon to confirm your selection and apply the preset.

Now you're all set to edit your photos on the go using your favorite presets. With these tips, you'll be able to maximize your creativity, no matter where your adventures take you.

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