Create adjustment layers

Last updated on Apr 1, 2026

Learn to apply effects and adjustments across multiple clips using transparent layers in Adobe Premiere.

Adjustment layers streamline your editing workflow by letting you apply color corrections, visual effects, and opacity adjustments to multiple clips at once.

An adjustment layer functions as a transparent layer positioned above your video clips in the Timeline panel. Any effect applied to an adjustment layer affects all clips on tracks below it. It's more efficient than applying the same effect individually to multiple clips, and it maintains consistency across your sequence.

Use adjustment layers when you need to apply consistent color grading across a scene, add vignettes to multiple shots, or create uniform visual effects across several clips in your timeline.

Select File > New > Adjustment Layer.

In the Video Settings dialog box, modify settings for the adjustment layer, if necessary, and then select OK.

Video Settings dialog for creating a new adjustment layer with sequence-matched settings.
Video Settings dialog showing the default properties for a new adjustment layer.

Drag (or overwrite) the adjustment layer from the Project panel onto a video track above the clips you want to affect in the Timeline panel.

Click anywhere in the body of the adjustment layer to select it. With the adjustment layer selected, enter the name of the effect that you want to apply in the Rapid Find box of the Effects panel.

Double-click the effect to add it to the adjustment layer. You can add multiple effects to the adjustment layer.

Press Shift + 5 to open the Effect Controls panel. Modify the parameters of the effect as needed.

When you play the sequence, note that all the clips on the underlying tracks are affected by changes you made to the adjustment layer.