How to Install Lightroom Presets: A Step-by-Step Guide

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(Last updated on January 9th, 2023)

Lightroom is already a speedy application for editing photos. With its simplified import process and editing slider, post-production photography is a breeze in this app. But did you know it can go faster? Installing presets can make the process of editing photos a breeze. In this article, we’ll explain how to use this handy feature of Lightroom.

laptop with icon for Lightroom on toolbar
Laptop with icon for Lightroom on toolbar

For those who want to make a lot of advanced edits fast, Lightroom offers the time-saving ability of presets. No longer will you have to worry about finding the perfect settings and duplicating them for each photo. Presets save specific tweaks so you can easily apply them to multiple images, taking full advantage of Lightroom’s speedy nature.

To use presets, you’ll need to install them in Lightroom. The process doesn’t take long for either Lightroom CC or Lightroom Classic. We’ll walk you through the process of installing both applications.

How To Install Lightroom Classic Presets (PC & Mac)

  1. Download Lightroom Presets
Lightroom preset ZIP folder contents
Lightroom preset ZIP folder contents

The files for Lightroom Classic presets should be in the form of a ZIP file. Once you’ve downloaded them, unzip them. You should see a lrtemplate file.

  1. Import and Develop Profiles and Presets
Lightroom Classic selecting preferences
Lightroom Classic selecting preferences

Open Lightroom Classic and navigate to Edit > Preferences if you’re on a PC or Lightroom > Preferences if you’re on a Mac.

  1. Find the Preset Folder
Lightroom Classic presets window
Lightroom Classic presets window

You’ll now open the Presets tab in the new window you just opened. Click the Show All Other Lightroom Presets button.

  1. Locate the Presets Section and Copy the Files
Lightroom Classic preset folder
Lightroom Classic preset folder

After clicking the Presets button, you will navigate your system to the Develop Presets folder within the Lightroom folder. Drag or copy your preset file (lrtemplate) into the Develop Presets folder. Lightroom should recognize this preset when it is next loaded.

  1. Restart Lightroom Classic
Lightroom Classic black and white photo of woman
Lightroom Classic black and white photo of woman

Quit Lightroom Classic and reopen the program. Find the Presets section on the right side of the interface in Develop Mode. See your recent loaded preset in this area. Click on it to apply it to the current image.

How To Install Lightroom CC Presets (PC & Mac)

  1. Download Lightroom CC Presets

Download the Lightroom preset you wish to install. Instead of installing the lrtemplate file like Lightroom Classic, we’ll use the XML file instead. You won’t have to unzip the folder as we will load the zip file directly into Lightroom CC.

  1. Import and Develop Profiles and Presets
LightroomCC loading presets menu
LightroomCC loading presets menu

Open Lightroom CC and choose an image inside the program. With your image selected, click on File > Import Profiles and Presets in the top bar of the interface. You’ll then select the zip file of your presets. You can also choose the XML file, as that’s the most important file we’ll be loading.

  1. Locate the Preset Panel
LightroomCC presets window
LightroomCC presets window

Once you’ve picked the preset, it should automatically be installed in Lightroom CC. You can find your newly installed preset in the Presets Panel on the right side of the interface. You’ll find it as a button inside the Edit sliders window.

  1. Apply Your Asset
LightroomCC applying black and white preset
LightroomCC applying black and white preset

Inside the presets window, you’ll see several different presets installed with Lightroom. To find the one you just installed, find the tab that says Yours. Under the section for User Presets, you should see the preset you just installed. You can click on it to apply it immediately to the image you currently have selected.

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Can I Install Lightroom Mobile Presets?

Lightroom mobile used on photo of streetlamp
Lightroom mobile used on photo of streetlamp

The mobile version of Lightroom comes bundled with Lightroom CC. Since these two versions are identical, they’ll sync with all your features and photos. The features include the presets as well.

The easiest way to install presets on your mobile version is Lightroom is to install the presets on your desktop. These presets will automatically be installed the next time you open up Lightroom on mobile. You can technically install presets on your phone, but it’s much easier to take the desktop installation route.

Where Can I Download Presets?

LightroomCC discover tab for presets
LightroomCC discover tab for presets

Adobe, thankfully offers a variety of presets you can download without ever leaving Lightroom. While in Lightroom CC, navigate to View > Discover. This will bring you to a page where you can get inspiration and download presets and photos.

Be sure to set the filters to presets by turning on Presets Downloadable. This filter can download the presets used to make specific photos. Hover over an image you like, and you should see a button that says Save as Preset.

Once you click Save as Preset, you’ll be given the option of how you want to save the preset in a folder of your choice. Once you’ve saved it, the preset should already be in your presets panel.

The Discovery window can be a great option if you’re stuck with ideas about how you want a photo to look. Sometimes you just need to see how another image seems to get some inspiration.

Which Third-Party Presets Should I Download?

LightroomCC applying preset to photo of flamingo
LightroomCC applying preset to photo of flamingo

Now that you know how to install presets, you’ll have to choose which ones you want to use. There are a host of options out there that Adobe and third-party developers offer. Here are some essential presets to consider installing and using in your Lightroom projects.

  • Dark Collection (Fix the Photo): 45 presets ideal for photography and commercial photos. The cost is £65.
  • 10 Indie Film Lightroom Presets (Filtergrade): 10 presets are great for promoting an independent film by giving your photos an independent look. The cost is $9.
  • 10 Analog Film Lightroom presets (Filtergrade): Filtergrade also offers a more retro film look with these 10 presets. They’re also priced at $9.
  • Digistock Kodachrome Collection (Digistock): If your photos look more like 20th-century pictures snapped on Kodak film, the Kodachrome presets can give your photographs vintage appeal from the 1990s. These presets will cost you $13.
  • The Editorial Collection v2 (Envato Elements): 13 presets to make your photos ready to be printed for articles, online or published. These presets are free to download.
  • NY skyline (Freepresets): If you’re taking pictures of New York or just want to make your photos look more like they’re from New York, this is the perfect preset for city shots. The preset is free to download from Freepresets.com.
  • Dawning (Freepresets): If your photos at dawn are too dark, this free dawning preset can brighten up your morning shots without blowing out brightness or contrast. The preset is free to download from Freepresets.com.
  • 90s retro moody vintage film Lightroom presets (Fix the Photo): To give your photos that 90s edge, try out these 10 retro presets. They can transform your photos into a magazine or album cover from the 1990s. The cost is $19.
  • Lightroom Preset Starter Kit (Filtergrade): 25 different types of presets are included in this bundle. Among the many presets are various types of pastels you can apply. It’s a spendier bundle, though, priced at $37.

Conclusion

Presets should become an essential part of your Lightroom workflow. They’ll save you a lot of time and they don’t take much time to install. Once you start using them with the methods we showed you here, you’ll wonder how you ever used Lightroom without them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Lightroom presets free?

Most Lightroom presets can be found for free online. Many third-party websites offer presets you can download and install. You can find some of them in Adobe Creative Cloud’s Free Assets Section. Check out Lightroom’s Discovery window to find free presets you can download inside Lightroom CC.

What are the best presets for Lightroom?

Some of the best presets include Dark Collection from Fix the Photo, Indie Film from Filtergrade, and Kodachrome Collection from Digistock. Before looking for these presets, you should look at the preloaded presets currently in Lightroom or those that are downloadable from the Discover window.

How do I get Lightroom presets?

You can either go to Adobe or third-party websites. Presets can range from being free to costing a small fee.

What are the best Lightroom presets for portraits?

Some of the best Lightroom portrait presets include Sun Flares Preset, Orange and Teal Preset “Amber,” and Black & White Bundle.

What’s the difference between a preset and a filter in Lightroom?

Filters are best used for making quick edits for changing colors, contrast, and other aspects of a photo. Presets can accomplish more advanced editing features quickly by taking the extra work out of adding details.

What is the difference between Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic?

Lightroom CC works on desktop and mobile while Lightroom Classic is for desktops only. Lightroom CC is a faster program that can be used quickly with sliders. Lightroom Classic has a few more advanced features for HDR and panoramic images.

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