How To Add And Remove White Background In Premiere Pro

Discover how to apply and remove white background in Premiere Pro for smooth edits, ideal for product demos, clean visuals, or pro-level content. Moreover, use the CapCut desktop video editor to edit, insert or remove background in a click.

CapCut
CapCut
May 12, 2025
46 min(s)

While editing videos, paying attention to the backdrop enhances the quality of your work. In vlogs, tutorials, and even promotional videos, a background that is clean and free of distractions can often be the best choice. One of the most basic yet widely used backgrounds for video production is a white background in Premiere Pro. It has the flexibility of letting your subject or text be visible and highlighted.

In this article, you will learn how to add and remove a white background from a video in Premiere Pro using simple techniques and tools.

Table of content
  1. Can you add or remove the white background in Premiere Pro
  2. How to add a white background in Premiere Pro
  3. How to remove the white background in Premiere Pro
  4. Pros and cons of using the white background in Premiere Pro
  5. An easy and free way to change backgrounds in videos: CapCut
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs

Can you add or remove the white background in Premiere Pro

There is a way to add or remove a white background in Premiere Pro by manipulating the transitions. To add, use the color matte tool, which will create a layer that can be applied. To remove it, one has to bring opacity down or place another background so that the changes between scenes can flow smoothly, enhancing visual continuity and ensuring a seamless transition.

How to add a white background in Premiere Pro

There are multiple ways to insert a white background in Premiere Pro, but the easiest is to create one using the "Color Matte" tool. These approaches are straightforward to use to create clean videos. Furthermore, once the background is created, the duration and position can also be adjusted effortlessly within the timeline, and here is how it is done:

    STEP 1
  1. Create a new color matte

Go to the "Project" window and click on the "New Item" icon. Select "Color Matte" and adjust the video settings before clicking "OK."

Showing how to create a white background in Adobe Premiere Pro
    STEP 2
  1. Choose white as the color

In the "New Color Matte" window, select white as your background color. Click "OK" and name the color matte as desired.

Showing how to create a white background in Adobe Premiere Pro
    STEP 3
  1. Add the color matte to your timeline

Drag the white background from the project panel to your timeline. Adjust the duration by dragging the ends to fit the video length.

Showing how to create a white background in Adobe Premiere Pro

How to remove the white background in Premiere Pro

Removing a white background using Premiere Pro is simple. To focus on the subject of an image or video without a white background, this method is perfect. A clear frame can enhance images or videos that feature a background, providing more flexibility in post-production. Below are instructions on how to remove a white background in Adobe Premiere Pro effectively:

    STEP 1
  1. Import media to the timeline

Import the video or image with a white background into Adobe Premiere Pro and place it on the timeline for editing.

    STEP 2
  1. Apply the color key effect

Go to the "Effects" window and search for "Color Key ." Drag the effect onto the image or video on the timeline. This will open the "Effects Control" window for further adjustments.

The easiest way to remove white background in Premiere Pro
    STEP 3
  1. Remove the white background

In the "Effects Control" window, use the dropper tool to click on the white background. This will remove the white background, keeping the subject intact.

The easiest way to remove white background in Premiere Pro

Pros and cons of using the white background in Premiere Pro

Pros
  • Clean and professional look: A white background creates a simple, minimalistic backdrop that makes the subject stand out clearly, giving your video a professional appearance.
  • Versatile for various content: It works well for a wide range of content, including tutorials, product showcases, and interviews, shifting the focus to remain on the subject.
  • Easy to adjust and modify: You can quickly adjust the duration or position of the white background in the timeline to match the pacing of your video, making editing more flexible.
  • Compatible with other effects: A white background in Premiere Pro is easily compatible with other effects like text overlays, transitions, and color grading, enhancing the overall video quality.
Cons
  • It can look too plain: In some cases, a white background may seem too basic or sterile, especially for more dynamic or creative content that needs a more engaging backdrop.
  • Potential for harsh lighting effects: If not properly lit, a white background can create unwanted shadows or uneven lighting, leading to less professional results if not handled carefully.

An easy and free way to change backgrounds in videos: CapCut

The CapCut desktop video editor is a very helpful tool for content creators since it permits a simple and free method of replacing backgrounds in videos. It aids users in removing or replacing video backgrounds with no green screen setup needed. Whether it is a tutorial, vlog, or promotional video, background modifications can be done quickly and easily with CapCut.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - a quicker way to change video backgrounds

Key features

The CapCut desktop video editor provides powerful tools tailored specifically for swift and professional video edits, especially background edits. Here are the key features:

  • Instant video background removal

Use CapCut's video background remover to instantly eliminate backgrounds with just a few clicks, saving time on manual editing while enhancing video quality.

  • Easily add video backgrounds

Quickly add any background of your choice, making it ideal for creative videos or presentations where a specific scene is needed.

  • Green screen effects

Use the Chroma Key tool to replace the background of your footage, perfect for movies, interviews, or tutorial videos where the subject needs to stand out.

  • High-quality video upscaling

Enhance the quality of your videos by using an AI video upscaler, ensuring your content looks crisp and professional on all platforms.

  • Export videos in 4K

CapCut lets you export your edited videos in 4K resolution, ensuring the highest quality output for platforms that support ultra-high-definition content.

How to add a white background to a video with CapCut

To install and download CapCut, visit the official website and click the "Download" button. Follow the easy installation steps, and you'll be ready to start editing your videos in no time.

    STEP 1
  1. Import the video

Open CapCut and import your video by selecting "Import" or by dragging it onto the workspace. Then, add it to the timeline to start editing.

Importing a video into the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Add the white background

Import the subject video and the white background, placing them on two separate layers. Click on the subject video, navigate to "Remove BG," and use either "Auto removal" or "Chroma key" to automatically or manually remove the background. This will reveal the white background from the second layer. After that, you can add filters to enhance the look of your video.

Adding a white background to a video with the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

When you're done editing, press "Export," choose your video’s resolution and format, and click "Export" again to save. You can also share it directly to TikTok or YouTube by selecting "Share."

Exporting a video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

In conclusion, incorporating a white background in Premiere Pro is an easy task that can help sharpen images and videos with clarity. For images or videos, the Color Matte tool enables users to enhance their work effortlessly, providing a clean, professional look and ensuring smoother transitions between scenes or elements. Alternatively, use the CapCut desktop video editor to remove, change, and edit video backgrounds with advanced AI tools.

FAQs

    1
  1. What settings should I use to remove the white background in Adobe Premiere?

Removing the white background in Adobe Premiere Pro can be done with the use of the "Color Key" effect; select white as the background with the eyedropper. Modify the Color Tolerance as well as the Matte Generation set in the Outline Extractor. If you want to have a simpler background removal process, try using alternatives like the CapCut desktop video editor.

    2
  1. Can I create a white background in Premiere Pro with transparent footage?

In Premiere Pro, you can make a white background by using the "Color Matte" option and then setting the background to white. This option works well with transparent footage as it lets the subject show through. If you're looking for more convenience, the CapCut desktop video editor supports background removal and changing effortlessly without complicated processes.

    3
  1. How can I refine edges when removing the white background in Adobe Premiere?

You can refine edges by adjusting the" Mat Matte" settings, which include "Choke" and "Soften," which help smooth rough edges towards the more rounded side. Further, you may use "Spill Suppression" to get rid of any green or white edges. If you need it to be done faster with diverse AI tools, you can consider using alternatives like CapCut.