How to Save a Preset in Lightroom for Faster Photo Editing

Editing photos can take a lot of time, especially if you repeat the same adjustments over and over. Lightroom presets let you apply your favorite edits in just a few clicks. They save you hours and keep your photos consistent. Imagine finishing a batch of photos in minutes instead of hours. Presets make your workflow faster and more organized. In this guide, you’ll learn how to save a preset in Lightroom, step by step, and use it to speed up your photo editing process.

What Are Lightroom Presets?

A Lightroom preset is a set of saved adjustments that you can apply to a photo with a single click. It changes settings like exposure, contrast, color balance, and sharpness all at once. Using presets can save a lot of editing time. Instead of adjusting each setting manually for every photo, you can apply a preset and get consistent results quickly. In Lightroom, presets work by storing your chosen edits. When you apply one, the program automatically adjusts your photo to match those settings. You can use presets on multiple images and even tweak them after applying to get the look you want.

Why save your own presets?

Creating your own presets gives you control over your editing style. They save time, especially when you work on many photos with similar lighting or color. Using presets ensures consistency across your work. For example, if you take outdoor photos in bright sunlight, a saved preset can quickly adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance with one click. Presets also make it easier to experiment. You can tweak settings without starting from scratch each time. Finally, if you plan to sell your presets, having a custom set allows you to create a unique product that fits your style.

How to Save a Preset in Lightroom Step by Step

Saving a preset in Lightroom can make your editing process much quicker. It lets you apply the same look to multiple photos without starting from scratch. Keep reading to follow the step-by-step guide below.

Step 1: Make Your Edit

Select a photo in the Develop module to start. Adjust key settings like Exposure, Contrast, Highlights, Shadows, Color balance, and Sharpness. Make sure the image looks just right before saving it as a preset. Plan your preset carefully: for a “Signature Look,” apply multiple adjustments, and for a “Workflow Preset,” group similar edits together. Organizing adjustments into groups, such as all color changes or all exposure fixes, helps you reuse and apply presets more efficiently across different photos.

Step 2. Open the Presets Panel

Locate the Presets panel on the left side of the Develop module. Click the ‘+’ icon to create a preset, and consider adding it to a folder to keep your presets neat and easy to find.

Step 3. Name Your Preset

When creating a new preset, give it a clear, descriptive name that reflects its style or purpose. Use consistent keywords so you can find it quickly later. Choose a folder or create one to keep your presets neatly organized and easy to access.

Step 4. Choose Which Settings to Save

Choosing settings can feel tricky at first. Options include Basic, Colour Grading, Detail, and Effects. You can click “Check All” to select everything. Some programs also let you use keyboard shortcuts to quickly select or deselect settings, making it faster to save presets.

Step 5. Click Create

After selecting your settings, click the Create button. Your new preset will appear in the chosen folder and is ready to use. You can also rename it for easier identification and try it on another photo.

Tips for Creating Better Lightroom Presets

Creating Lightroom presets can save time and keep your edits consistent. Here are some practical tips for making better presets:

• Start with a clean image
   Use a photo with neutral lighting and balanced exposure. This ensures your preset works well on most images.
  

• Adjust one setting at a time
   Focus on exposure, contrast, or color individually. Small, separate changes make your preset more flexible.
  

• Use subtle adjustments
   Avoid extreme changes that work only on one photo. Gentle edits are easier to apply to many images.
  

• Name presets clearly
   Choose names that describe the style or effect. Clear names make it easier to find the right preset later.
  

• Test on different photos
   Apply your preset to a variety of images. This helps you see how it performs under different lighting and colors.
  

• Organize presets into folders
   Group similar styles together. This keeps your workspace tidy and makes presets easy to access.
  

• Update presets when needed
   If you find better settings, save a new version. This keeps your library current and useful.
  

• Avoid over-editing
  Keep adjustments simple. Overdone effects can limit how and where you use the preset.

How to Apply a Saved Preset

Applying a saved preset in Lightroom is quick and easy. Presets help you adjust multiple settings at once, saving time on editing. Follow these steps to use one effectively.

1. Open the photo you want to edit in Lightroom.
   
   

2. Go to the Develop module.
   
   

3. In the Presets panel on the left, find the preset you saved.
   
   

4. Click on the preset name. Your photo will update with the saved settings.
   
   

5. Use the Preset Amount Slider to adjust how strongly the preset affects the photo. Sliding left reduces the effect, while sliding right increases it.
   
   

Tip: The Preset Amount Slider does not change every adjustment included in the preset. Some settings, like spot removal or cropping, will stay the same. Use it mainly for color, tone, and light adjustments.

How to Amend Lightroom Presets

Sometimes you may save a preset and later realize it needs changes. Avoid deleting the preset and recreating it, as this can be time-consuming and may lead to errors. Follow these steps to safely update your preset.

1. Select a photo in the Develop module and apply the preset you want to amend.
   
   Review the edits on the right-hand panel. Make only the changes you want to save in the preset.
   

2. Right-click the preset in the Preset panel on the left.
   

3. Choose “Update with Current Settings” to save your changes.

How to Avoid Common Preset Mistakes

Here are a few things to watch out for when using presets to keep your edits clean and consistent.

• Don’t layer multiple presets on one photo. Applying more than one preset can create strange colors or harsh contrasts that are hard to fix.
  

• Don’t ignore lighting differences. A preset made for bright outdoor shots may look off on a dim indoor photo. Adjust settings before applying.
  

• Don’t rely only on presets. Every photo is different, so use presets as a starting point and tweak exposure, contrast, and color as needed.
  

• Don’t skip organization. Saving presets without naming or grouping them can make it hard to find what you need later.
  

• Don’t forget backup. Losing your custom presets can cost hours of work. Keep copies on your computer or cloud storage.
  

If you want to avoid these mistakes entirely, check out my full preset system and online course. They’re designed to guide you step by step, helping you use presets effectively while keeping your photos looking their best.

Sharing and Exporting Presets

Exporting presets makes it easy to share your edits with others or move them to a new device. This step ensures your custom settings are saved outside Lightroom and ready for use anytime. Follow these steps to export a preset:

1. Open the Develop module and locate the preset you want to share.
   

2. Right-click the preset and select “Export.”
   

3. Choose a folder on your computer where you want to save the file.
   

4. Give the file a clear name so it is easy to find later.
   

5. Click “Save” to complete the export process.
   

If you need more details on importing or managing exported presets, check the related guide for step-by-step instructions.

Final Thoughts:

Using Lightroom presets can save you time and keep your photos consistent. You get ready-made settings that make editing easier, while still giving you room to adjust. Start by picking a preset that fits your style. Apply it to a photo and tweak the settings to match your vision. As you go, save your favorite edits to build a personal library you can use again and again. Once you’re comfortable, explore advanced features like batch editing and custom adjustments. For more tips on creating your own presets, check out our guide on building a Lightroom preset collection