Using Color mode with Color Management

How Color mode works with Color Management

Color mode is designed to work alongside Color Management to provide an optimized starting point for color adjustment. When Color Management is enabled, and your source media is properly tagged, Premiere automatically converts media to the target output format.

This ensures a consistent image pipeline and reduces the need for extensive corrections. With well-exposed and properly captured footage, you can focus on refining the image rather than fixing it.

Supported color workflows

All color tools in Color mode are designed to work consistently across different color setups. Whether you’re working in Direct Rec. 709 (SDR) or Wide Gamut (Tone Mapped), the tools adapt to your selected configuration.

Color mode also supports both SDR and HDR workflows, including output formats such as Rec. 709, Rec. 2100 HLG, and PQ, allowing flexibility based on your delivery requirements.

Why use Wide Gamut (Tone Mapped)

The Wide Gamut (Tone Mapped) setup provides greater flexibility when adjusting images. Tone mapping creates smoother highlight and shadow roll-off, making it easier to adjust exposure and color without clipping.

Improved tone-mapping and gamut-compression settings ensure better handling of SDR media and graphics. The Apply Inverse Tone Mapping and Gamut Compression options in the Advanced settings help maintain accuracy when working across mixed media formats.

Choosing and maintaining a color setup

Color Controls in Color mode are color-space-aware, meaning they behave consistently regardless of your selected setup. However, visual results may vary slightly between configurations.

To ensure consistent results:

• Choose the appropriate color setup before starting your adjustments.
• Keep the Working color space unchanged throughout your workflow.
• Avoid switching color spaces after making adjustments, as this can alter the appearance of your grade and require additional refinements.