Julieanne Kost’s Blog | 12 Ways to Automate Your Workflow using Presets in Lightroom Classic

In this video, we’ll walk through 12 ways to use presets (and templates) in Lightroom Classic to help automate your workflow, avoid repetitive tasks, and avoid making costly mistakes. 

If you prefer to read about the different types of Presets (instead of watch the video), I have them listed below with links to additional information.

Import Presets — if you import files from different devices to different locations, use the pop up at the bottom of the Import window to save Import presets.

Metadata Presets — If you apply the same metadata to your images (such as copyright and contact information) be sure to create a Metadata preset. Metadata Presets can also be applied to select groups of images when adding data such as image usage rights and location information.

File Renaming Presets — Create a File Renaming preset to rename files on Import, in the Library module, when using Edit In Photoshop, and on Export.  

Filter Presets — Another way you can speed up your workflow is by creating and saving Filter presets for filters that you use to find your images. 

Keyword Sets — While not technically a preset, keyword sets can help keep seldom-used keywords readily accessible and easy to apply with the help of an extended keyboard. 

Color Label Sets — Although not technically a preset, you can create different sets of Color Labels for Images, Folders, and Collections.

Develop Presets — Save Presets in the Develop module to change the look and feel of an entire image or, change as little as a single slider. 

Raw Defaults — Another way to speed up editing in the Develop module is to customize your Raw Default Settings. 

Masking Tool Presets — If you make similar adjustments when using the Masking tools (like dodging, burning, or more complex adjustments), set the local adjustment sliders once, then save a preset in order to access the effect again and again.  

External Editing Presets — When it comes time to continue editing your images in Photoshop, create External Editing Presets to save time. 

Exporting Presets — When exporting large volumes of images, creating Export presets and batch processing files can increase your productivity. 

Output Module Templates — When using the output modules, be sure to save templates for comonly used settings.  

Watermarks and Identity Plates — Several of the output modules (as well as the Export options) can display watermarks and identity plates. Create templates from text or graphics and apply them over or besides your images.  

Storing Presets — Lightroom Classic has an option store presets and templates with a specific catalog which can be particularly useful when there is a need to work on several different computers. For example, in an educational “lab” environment, a student might have all of their images and catalog on an external drive so that they can move from one machine to another during each “open lab” session. If they choose Preferences > Presets > Location  and check the “Store Presets with Catalog” option, any presets that they create will be stored within the same folder as the associated catalog (instead of in the default location on the computer). The advantage is that which ever computer you use, when you launch the catalog from the external drive, Lightroom Classic will see your presets and only your presets (as oppose to all of the other student’s presets).  If, however, you are working on a single computer, I would suggest that you do NOT check the “Store Presets with Catalog” option. Instead, save your presets (and templates) to the default location so that your presets will be accessible if you decide to create multiple catalogs.

How to Update, Rename and Delete Presets — In this Quick Tip How to Update, Rename, and Delete Presets you’ll learn how to update, rename and delete presets and templates in Lightroom.