How to Make a Typing Effect in Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro Typing Effect Tutorial

I fucking hate when I've shot the perfect video, but when it comes to post-production, I'm stumped on how to add that touch of dynamic text. Ever felt that way? The solution isn't complex graphics or flashy animations; sometimes, it's as simple as a typing effect. This effect, often seen in documentaries, YouTube intros, and instructional videos, can convey information, add depth, and increase viewer engagement. But how to get that typewriter-style text appearing letter by letter without it looking amateurish? That's the challenge.

In this breakdown:

• Setting the stage in Premiere Pro for our animation.
• Crafting and positioning your desired text.
• Integrating the typing effect with finesse.
• Adjusting the rhythm of the typing to match your vision.
• Enhancing realism with sound effects.
• Previewing and exporting your work for the world to see.

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For our typing effect, you need a canvas, and in Premiere Pro, that’s the timeline. You've probably already imported your clip into the 'Project' panel. If not, simply drag and drop your video file into this panel. Then, click and drag your video clip from the 'Project' panel onto the timeline at the bottom of the screen.

Setting Up a New Title for the Typing Effect

Titles in Premiere Pro provide a blank canvas for text and graphics. To create one, head to the bottom right section where the 'Project' panel is. Right-click within this panel, choose 'New Item,' and then select 'Title.' This action opens up the 'Title Designer' window.

Crafting Your Text

In the 'Title Designer' window, select the 'Type Tool,' which looks like a capital ‘T’. Now, click anywhere on the screen and type out your desired text. On the right side, you'll see various properties like font, size, and color. For instance, let’s say you choose a font size of 48 with a bold weight. Remember, these adjustments are crucial as they set the visual tone for your typing effect.

Hunting Down the Typewriter Effect

To get that neat typing animation, we'll need the 'Typewriter' effect. Move your eyes to the 'Effects' panel on the right. If it's not visible, click on ‘Window’ in the top menu and select ‘Effects.’ Within this panel, there's a search bar. Type in “Typewriter” and, like magic, it appears below. Now, drag this effect onto your title in the timeline.

Dialing in the Typing Speed

Here's where the magic happens. With the title sequence selected on your timeline, shift your attention to the 'Effect Controls' panel, usually located at the top left. If you can't spot it, go to ‘Window’ and select ‘Effect Controls.’ Under the 'Typewriter' effect, you'll see keyframes for 'Start' and 'End.' These keyframes are like markers that dictate when the effect begins and concludes. By dragging them closer or further apart, you're essentially controlling the typing speed. For instance, if you set the 'Start' keyframe at 1 second and the 'End' keyframe at 5 seconds, your text will type out over a span of 4 seconds.

Finishing Touches for Realism

To truly elevate this effect, consider embedding a subtle keyboard typing sound. You can import an audio clip just like you did with the video and align it with your typing effect on the timeline. This additional layer of sound enhances the believability and immersion of your typing animation.

A Quick Preview

Before you finalize, it’s always a good practice to preview your creation. Move the blue playhead before the title effect on the timeline and press the spacebar. Watch closely as your text types out on screen. If it feels too fast or slow, remember, you can always tweak those keyframes in the 'Effect Controls' panel.

Sealing the Deal with an Export

Satisfied with the look? Fantastic! It’s time to bring it all together. Head to ‘File’ at the top, hover over ‘Export,’ and choose ‘Media.’ Here, you can pick your desired video format and other export settings. Once you’ve adjusted to your liking, hit the ‘Export’ button.

What we’ve just walked through allows you to not just add a typing effect, but to tailor it to your unique vision. This capability to tweak, refine, and customize is the essence of Premiere Pro. It’s about having all the options at your fingertips, allowing your creativity to truly flourish. Think of each tool and effect as different brush strokes, enabling you to paint your masterpiece. And with this typing effect, you’ve added one more stroke to your palette. Happy editing!

Typing Titles Template on Motion Array & Elements

The 'Typing Titles' template available on Motion Array is a specially curated motion graphics template designed to give videos a dynamic and contemporary feel. It's more than just the classic typewriter effect. This template offers a sophisticated blend of animations, transitions, and customizable features that can be tailored to fit any project seamlessly.

Features of the Typing Titles Template

1. Multiple Title Variations :The template provides a set of diverse title animations. This means you're not restricted to a single style but have a variety to choose from, allowing you to select one that resonates best with your video's vibe.
2. Customizable Text: Each title animation within the template allows you to change the text. Whether you want a headline, a sub-heading, or even a short paragraph, it's all doable. Just click on the text box, and type away.
3. Font Adjustments: The template isn’t rigid with its font selection. You have the freedom to change the font style, size, and weight. If you have a specific brand font or just a preferred typeface, you can easily swap it in.
4. Color Customization: Want to maintain brand consistency or just have a specific color palette in mind? This template permits color adjustments. You can modify the text color, background hue, and even any accompanying graphic elements.
5. Duration Control: Depending on your video's pace, you might want the typing effect to be swift or gradual. The template gives you the reigns to adjust the duration, ensuring the animation aligns perfectly with your content's rhythm.
6. In-built Transitions: What sets this template apart is its library of in-built transitions. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill fades and cuts. They’re meticulously designed to complement the typing effect, ensuring a seamless flow between scenes or segments.
7. Resizable to Any Dimension: Whether you're editing for a widescreen monitor, a mobile device, or even a social media platform, this template is adaptable. You can resize the titles to fit any dimension without losing clarity or compromising on the animation quality.

Making the Template Truly Yours

To harness the full power of the 'Typing Titles' template and make it resonate with your unique vision, here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Importing the Template: Once downloaded from Motion Array, import the template into Premiere Pro. Navigate to the 'Essential Graphics' panel. If it isn’t visible, click on ‘Window’ in the top menu and select ‘Essential Graphics.’ Now, click on the ‘Install Motion Graphics Template’ icon (it looks like a folder) at the bottom right and select your template.
2. Selecting Your Preferred Title: Browse through the various title animations provided. Drag and drop your chosen title onto the timeline.
3. Editing Text: With the title selected on the timeline, the 'Essential Graphics' panel will show editable fields. Click on the text field and modify it as per your requirement.
4. Styling Your Text: Within the same panel, you'll notice options to change the font, size, and even color. Use these tools to ensure your title aligns with your aesthetic goals.
5. Adjusting Duration: On the timeline, click on the title's end or beginning and drag to lengthen or shorten its duration.
6. Preview and Refine: Regularly preview your title on the timeline to ensure it's shaping up as you envisioned. Make any necessary tweaks, be it in the animation speed, color, or even the text content.