How to Use LUTs — Complete Guide

Create something your followers love ❤️

Download. Apply. Grade.

Three steps to a consistent look. Edit faster and build a cinematic style for each video.

1

Download

Get your LUT pack instantly from OneDollarStock.

2

Apply

Import into Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro or After Effects and apply it to your footage.

3

Grade

Fine-tune intensity if needed and keep a consistent cinematic style across your project.

OneDollarStock LUT Guide

How to Use LUTs (and Make Your Videos Look Expensive Fast)

Learn what LUTs do, when to use them, and how to apply them in Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro — plus a simple workflow that helps you build a consistent edit.

What Is a LUT?

A LUT (Look-Up Table) is a fixed color transform that remaps the colors and tones in your footage. Editors use LUTs as a starting point for repeatable looks — cinematic, clean, vintage, moody, warm or crisp — then adapt the grade to each shot.

Speed

Apply a starting look in seconds, then fine-tune it for the footage. Less time on repetitive setup, more time editing.

🎯 Consistency

Keep the same visual identity across your Reels, Shorts, YouTube, ads and client edits.

🎥 Pro-grade Look

Build a polished grade faster, then refine contrast, skin tones and mood for your footage.

🧠 Repeatable Workflow

Use the same LUT as a starting point, then adapt corrections to each shot and lighting setup.

When Should You Use LUTs?

LUTs are best when you need speed, consistency, or a specific mood. Use them for YouTube videos, TikTok/IG Reels, product demos, wedding films, interviews, cinematic B-roll, ads and branded content.

Use LUTs when

  • You want a consistent look across multiple clips.
  • You edit fast (daily/weekly publishing).
  • You need branded visuals (same tone every time).
  • Your footage is flat/log and needs shaping.

⚠️ Be careful when

  • Exposure is off (fix exposure first).
  • White balance is wrong (correct it before LUT).
  • Lighting changes drastically across shots.
  • You stack multiple "heavy" LUTs.

🎛 Best practice

Start with basic corrections (exposure + white balance), apply LUT, then fine-tune intensity and skin tones. This is a practical professional workflow.

🧩 Common mistake

Applying a LUT to underexposed, mixed-light footage and expecting miracles. LUTs amplify what's already there. Fix the base first.

The Simple LUT Workflow (5 Steps)

These steps are a general starting point for common editing software; controls and results vary:

1

Normalize the clip

Fix exposure first (highlights/shadows). If your footage is log, convert it to a normal base using your camera transform or a technical LUT.

2

Correct white balance

Get whites neutral. A LUT looks "wrong" most often because the base white balance is off.

3

Apply your creative LUT

Add the LUT you want (cinematic, clean, warm, etc.). Then adjust its intensity to suit the footage.

4

Refine skin tones

Small tweaks make the grade feel premium: skin tones, midtones, saturation and contrast.

5

Save as a preset

Save your settings so future projects can start from the same look, then adapt them to the footage.

How to Install LUTs

Below are quick, practical steps for the most common tools. Once imported, a LUT can become a regular step in your workflow.

🎬 Adobe Premiere Pro

  1. Open Premiere Pro.
  2. Go to Window → Lumetri Color.
  3. Open Creative and choose Look → Browse.
  4. Select your LUT file and click Open.

Tip: reduce intensity if the look is too strong.

🎥 Adobe After Effects

  1. Open After Effects.
  2. Find Effects & Presets panel (or open via Window).
  3. Search for Apply Color LUT.
  4. Drag it onto your footage and pick the LUT file.

Tip: apply to an adjustment layer for control.

🎞 DaVinci Resolve

  1. Open DaVinci Resolve.
  2. Open Project Settings (gear icon).
  3. Go to Color Management → Lookup Tables and click Open LUT Folder.
  4. Copy the LUT files into the folder and click Update Lists.
  5. On the Color page, apply the LUT to a node from the LUT menu.

Tip: keep LUT packs organized by folder names.

🎬 Final Cut Pro

  1. Open Final Cut Pro and select the clip.
  2. Choose Window → Show in Workspace → Effects.
  3. Open Color and drag the Custom LUT effect onto the clip.
  4. In the Video inspector, choose Custom LUT → LUT → Choose Custom LUT, then import the file.

Tip: adjust Input, Output and Mix as needed. Camera LUT is intended for technical camera transforms.

Why LUTs From OneDollarStock

OneDollarStock is a curated visual content marketplace for creators. We focus on current, ready-to-use assets, clear licensing information and fair pricing.

🧩 Curated Looks

Explore selected looks designed for current aesthetics and practical creator workflows.

Culture-Speed Content

Our catalog is updated as visual trends evolve, so you can explore current looks.

📜 Clarity

Review the license for each asset so you know how it can be used and published.

🌍 Fair, Global Pricing

Pricing is designed to remain accessible to creators around the world.

Ready to Grade Faster?
Start With a LUT Pack.

Browse LUTs →

Explore curated assets and review the license and download terms included with your plan.

Who Are LUTs For?

LUTs are ideal for:

  • YouTube creators
  • Instagram and TikTok video editors
  • Wedding filmmakers
  • Commercial video producers
  • Brand agencies
  • Freelance editors

If you create video content, LUTs can speed up parts of your workflow. The final result still depends on your footage, corrections and grading decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What file format are LUTs delivered in?

LUTs are delivered in .cube format. Check whether your editing software supports .cube import.

Can I use LUTs for commercial projects?

Yes — with the Commercial Use license or a higher license tier. Review the current license terms for the specific asset before publishing.

Do LUTs work on mobile apps?

Some mobile apps support LUT import, but compatibility depends on the app.

Final Thoughts

Color grading defines the emotional tone of your video.

LUTs help you achieve that tone faster.

If you want curated, modern looks with clear licensing terms, explore LUT collections on OneDollarStock.

Create faster.

Stay relevant.

Publish with confidence.

At OneDollarStock™, we connect creators, influencers, and artists with millions of users seeking high-quality visuals — from images, photos and mockups to graphics, LUTs, Presets to 4K bundles and more.