How to Edit Reels in Premiere Pro to Boost Engagement

Discover how to edit reels in Premiere Pro with clear, easy steps. Craft eye-catching, professional videos that capture attention and increase engagement. Alternatively, use CapCut to craft stunning reels with advanced AI tools.

how to edit reels in premiere pro
CapCut
CapCut
Jun 17, 2025

Creating Reels in Premiere Pro is a great way to stand out on social media. With its advanced editing tools, you can create high-quality videos using smooth transitions, precise color adjustments, and professional sound design. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced editor, Premiere Pro helps refine your content for maximum engagement.

In this article, you'll learn how to edit Reels effectively in Premiere Pro and make them more captivating.

Table of content
  1. Why should you edit reels in Premiere Pro
  2. How to make reels on Adobe Premiere Pro
  3. The 5 best plugins to edit reels in Premiere Pro
  4. Tips to efficiently create reels in Premiere Pro
  5. An easier way to edit your Instagram reels: CapCut desktop editor
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Why should you edit reels in Premiere Pro

Editing Reels in Premiere Pro enhances video quality and enables you to make precise adjustments. Here are a few reasons why you should edit reels in Premiere Pro for your next reel:

  • Advanced editing tools

Premiere Pro has a wide range of advanced editing tools that help you control every detail of your video. Whether it's trimming clips or adding effects, the tools are precise and efficient. You can adjust each part of your reel to perfection and ensure the final product looks professional.

  • High-quality exports

With Premiere Pro, you can export your reels in high quality. The software enables you to customize your export settings and ensure your video looks great on any screen. High-quality exports are key for making your content stunning on social media.

  • Precise color grading

Color grading is vital to make your reels visually appealing. Premiere Pro provides precise tools to adjust the color, brightness, and contrast of your footage. This helps create a consistent look that enhances the overall feel of your video.

  • Smooth transitions & effects

Smooth transitions and eye-catching effects are essential for a professional-looking reel. Premiere Pro provides you access to create smooth transitions between clips and add special effects. This keeps the video dynamic and captures your audience's attention.

  • Professional audio control

Good audio is just as important as a good video. Premiere Pro provides professional audio control and enables you to adjust sound levels and remove noise. You can ensure your audio complements your visuals and creates an efficient viewing experience.

How to make reels on Adobe Premiere Pro

With just a few steps, you can easily prepare your clips, apply enhancements, and export them in the right format. Here's how to make an Instagram reel on Premiere Pro:

    STEP 1
  1. Create a new project

Create a new project and set the sequence to 1080x1920 pixels for a vertical video. Choose the correct frame rate (usually fps). This ensures your video fits Instagram Reels' format.

Adjusting framerate to create reels in Premiere Pro
    STEP 2
  1. Edit and enhance with tools

Import your clips and trim them to fit within the 60-second limit for Instagram Reels. Use the "Lumetri Color panel" to adjust exposure and saturation to make the visuals pop. Add creative transitions and effects to make the video more dynamic. You can also tweak the audio levels and sync the video with music for added flair.

Edit and enhance with tools
    STEP 3
  1. Adjust the export settings

When ready to export, go to "File" > "Export" > "Media" for exporting. To choose your video, select the "H.264" format that is best for Instagram. Then, you can adjust the resolution of the quality video and set the bitrate to balance the video quality and file size.

Adjust the export settings
    STEP 4
  1. Fine-tune video settings

In the export dialog, make sure the aspect ratio stays at 1080x1920 pixels. You can also select the "Use Maximum Render Quality" option for better video sharpness. Finally, click "Export" to generate your video file, ready to share on Instagram Reels.

Fine-tune video settings

The 5 best plugins to edit reels in Premiere Pro

When it comes to editing reels in Premiere Pro, using the right plugins can make your video appealing. These tools provide advanced effects, color adjustment, and audio enhancement. Here are the top 5 plugins to help you learn how to edit Reels in Premiere Pro:

  • Red giant universe

Red Giant Universe provides a collection of powerful video effects and transitions. With tools like text animations, light leaks, and retro effects, you can add a unique touch to your Reels. It is perfect for giving your content a cinematic feel.

  • FilmImpact

FilmImpact is known for its high-quality transitions. Whether you need smooth cuts, wipes, or stylized effects, this plugin makes transitions between clips seamless. It's ideal for adding visual interest to your reels without making the video feel over-edited.

  • Magic bullet looks

Magic Bullet is an excellent plugin for color grading. It provides a range of filters and presets to help you enhance the colors and overall tone of your footage. With it, you can create vibrant and eye-catching looks for your Reels.

  • iZotope RX

iZotope RX focuses on cleaning up your audio. It's a must-have for reels that rely on clear, crisp sound. This plugin enables you to remove background noise, fix distorted audio, and enhance voice clarity.

  • PluralEyes

PluralEyes simplifies syncing audio and video. It automatically matches audio from multiple sources and saves you time on manual syncing. This plugin is especially useful for reels that involve music or multiple microphones.

Tips to efficiently create reels in Premiere Pro

When learning how to edit Reels in Premiere Pro, having a strategy can help you work more efficiently. Here are some simple tips that will help you create attention-grabbing reels quickly:

  • Plan your shots

Before you start editing reels in Premiere Pro, plan your shots carefully. Decide on the framing, angles, and lighting to make your video look sharp. Planning saves time during the editing process and ensures you have everything you need for a smooth edit.

  • Use smooth transitions

Smooth transitions between clips make your reels feel seamless. Use Premiere Pro’s built-in transitions or plugins to add fluidity between scenes. This keeps your video from avoiding abrupt cuts that might distract the viewer.

  • Optimize video speed

Speed adjustments can add drama to your reels. Use speed ramps to slow down or speed up clips where needed. This trick enhances the impact of key moments and makes your reels more dynamic.

  • Add engaging captions

Adding captions can help viewers follow your message. Use clear, easy-to-read text that pops against the background. Captions also make your reels more accessible and help viewers stay engaged.

  • Match audio with visuals

When understanding how to make a reel on Premiere Pro, syncing video with the right audio is an essential element to consider for a cohesive and impactful Reel. Choose music that matches the mood of your footage, and use audio effects for emphasis.

An easier way to edit your Instagram reels: CapCut desktop editor

CapCut desktop video editor provides a range of powerful tools that simplify the process of editing Instagram Reels. With advanced features like auto reframing, text-to-speech, and noise reduction, you can enhance video quality with ease. Whether you're creating dynamic content or making quick edits for Instagram, CapCut has everything to help you produce high-quality videos with minimal effort.

CapCut desktop video editor interface

Key features:

  • Use AI effects for stunning visuals

Quickly enhance your videos with advanced effects using Capct's AI stylize feature. This instantly adds artistic and eye-catching transformations to make your content visually appealing.

  • Auto reframe reels in one click

With the auto-reframe feature, CapCut automatically adjusts your video’s aspect ratio to fit Instagram Reels' vertical format.

  • Effortlessly turn text into speech

CapCut's text-to-speech feature converts written text into natural-sounding voiceovers. This feature makes it easy to add narration without manual recording.

  • Convert long videos to short clips

CapCut enables you to convert a long video to shorts, which helps you create sharp and engaging reels for Instagram or TikTok efficiently.

  • Clear audio with noise reduction

With CapCut, you can easily remove background noise from audio to enhance the sound quality of your Reels with minimal effort.

How to make flawless Instagram reel edits in CapCut

Make sure you have the updated version of CapCut to access its advanced tools. If you haven’t installed it yet, click the button below to download this app on your PC. Then, follow the steps below to make flawless Instagram reels.

    STEP 1
  1. Import the video

After you move to the editing interface of CapCut, click the "Import" button. Select the video file which you want to edit and then drag it onto the timeline.

Importing video to CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Adjust and fine-tune the reel

Place the video in the timeline and use the "Auto reframe" tool to adjust the aspect ratio for Instagram Reels. Then, navigate to the "Retouch" section to fine-tune your face and body visuals. Next, add text to your reel and use the "Text to speech" feature to create voiceovers with various AI effects. You can also explore tools like background removal, voice enhancement, and audio normalization to perfect your video in terms of both visuals and sound.

Adjusting video in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

Click "Export" after you finish editing. Select the resolution and format for Instagram, ensuring it’s set to MP4 for the best quality. After that, hit "Export" again to save your video. You can also share your edited content on Instagram.

Exporting video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

To summarize, learning how to make reels in Premiere Pro enables you to create trendy and engaging content. By following the right steps, such as setting up your project, importing and editing clips, and adding effects, your Reels can attract more viewers. Troubleshooting common issues like playback lag and export errors ensures a smooth editing process every time.

However, if you're looking for a simpler alternative to create eye-catching Reels, try the CapCut desktop video editor. It’s an excellent option for quick edits, and you can use its advanced features to make your Reels stand out.

FAQs

    1
  1. What are the best export settings for reels on Adobe Premiere?

The best export settings for Instagram Reels in Adobe Premiere Pro are H.264 format, with a resolution of 1080x1920 (vertical), a frame rate of 30fps, and a bitrate of 10-12Mbps. This ensures high-quality video without compromising file size. Make sure to select the "Match Source - High Bitrate" preset and adjust the audio settings to AAC for optimal sound. For further simplicity in exporting, you can use the CapCut desktop video editor. It provides easy export settings and simple features, which are perfect for creating and exporting reels.

    2
  1. What are some pre-production plans before creating reels in Premiere Pro?

Before creating Reels in Premiere Pro, it's essential to plan your content. Start by defining your goal and message, then decide on your video's length and style. Organize your footage by creating a shot list and ensure you have the right audio, effects, and transitions ready. Set up your project in Premiere Pro with the correct aspect ratio and resolution (1080x1920) for Instagram Reels. However, to quickly enhance your reels using advanced tools, consider using the CapCut desktop video editor.

    3
  1. Can I use Premiere Pro to merge multiple clips into an Instagram reel?

Yes, you can use Premiere Pro to merge multiple clips into an Instagram Reel. Simply import your clips, arrange them on the timeline, and trim or adjust them as needed. You can add transitions and effects to create a smooth flow between clips. Once you're satisfied, export the final video in the correct settings (1080x1920 resolution and H.264 format) for Instagram. If you want an easier way to merge clips, try the CapCut desktop video editor, which simplifies the process without the steep learning curve.

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