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How to use LUTs with RAW footage for better colour grading and cinematic results.
LUTs are a popular way to quickly change the look of your footage, and many editors use LUTs as part of the color grading process. LUTs from Envato can change how color, contrast, and brightness values are displayed in an image without starting from scratch.
However, problems often arise when a LUT is applied directly to RAW or log footage. RAW and log footage can react differently to LUTs than standard video footage. If a creative LUT is applied too early in the workflow, the image may show stronger contrast or color shifts than expected. This is related to how log footage is recorded and processed during editing.
Most creative LUTs are designed for standard HD / Rec. 709 footage rather than unprocessed log footage. Before applying a creative LUT, the footage typically needs to be converted to a standard color space using a technical conversion LUT or a color management workflow.
LUTs (Look-Up Tables) are color transformations that map one set of colors to another. They’re used to apply a specific look or convert footage between color spaces.
LUTs are commonly used during the color grading stage of post-production. Some LUTs are designed to correct footage, while others are designed to create a specific visual style.
For example, a LUT might:
LUTs speed up the grading process, but most workflows still require manual adjustments afterward. There are two types to know.
Technical LUTs are used during color management workflows to transform footage between different image formats or display standards.
They are often used with log recording formats, including Sony S-Log and Canon Log (C-Log). One common use is converting log footage into Rec. 709 for standard viewing and editing workflows.
Creative LUTs are applied after the main correction process to alter the image’s appearance.
Different creative LUTs can shift color response, contrast, and tonal balance to produce different visual styles. Many downloadable LUT packs, such as those available from Envato, are intended for this stage of the workflow.
When working with RAW footage, LUTs don’t behave the same way they do with standard video. RAW footage contains unprocessed image data, meaning it hasn’t yet been mapped to a display-ready format.
This is why applying a LUT directly to RAW footage often produces poor results — it skips essential steps in the color workflow.
Understanding how LUTs interact with RAW footage starts with knowing the difference between RAW, LOG, and LUTs.
Most LUTs are designed for LOG or Rec. 709 footage — not RAW. That’s why conversion is a critical step.
Applying LUTs directly to RAW footage can lead to:
RAW footage needs to be interpreted first. Without this step, the LUT doesn’t “understand” the color data it’s working with.
Instead, treat RAW as your starting point — not your final color space.
RAW and log formats are intended to provide more flexibility during editing and color correction. Because of this, the footage normally requires some level of conversion or adjustment before creative grading is applied.
In many editing workflows, footage is first converted to Rec. 709 using either a technical LUT or a color management system. Creative LUTs are then added afterward as part of the final grading process.
This is commonly done using technical conversion LUTs or built-in color management tools inside editing software.
Rec. 709 is a standard color space used for HD video. It is commonly used for web video, streaming platforms, televisions, and most standard editing timelines.
Some cameras record footage using log profiles instead of standard Rec. 709 settings. Many professional and prosumer cameras also offer log profiles or RAW recording, which preserve more image information during capture.
In many editing workflows, log footage is converted into Rec. 709 before creative LUTs are added. This step is commonly handled using a technical conversion LUT or a color management workflow inside the editing software.
After conversion, additional grading and creative adjustments can be applied with greater predictability.
Many camera manufacturers provide technical LUTs designed for their own log formats. These LUTs are used to transform footage into a more standard viewing format during editing.
Common examples include:
These conversion LUTs are different from creative LUTs. Their purpose is to normalize the footage rather than apply a visual style.
A common workflow looks something like this:
Now that your footage is converted to Rec. 709, you’re ready to add a creative LUT.
Envato’s LUT library gives you access to around 66,000 individual LUT assets — each independently searchable, filterable, and previewable before download.
Search by keyword, mood, color characteristics, or technical purpose. Use filters to narrow by the look you’re after — warm, cinematic, high contrast, desaturated — without browsing through packs.
Every LUT can be previewed and applied to pre-rendered sample footage directly on the asset page. Use the before/after slider to see exactly what the LUT does to the image.
If you want to see how a LUT will look on your specific footage, upload a frame from your footage. You’ll see the grade applied to your content before committing to a download.
This replaces the old workflow of downloading an entire pack and importing it into your software just to evaluate a single LUT.
Most LUT packs are compatible with:
Filter by your software to find assets that work in your editing environment.
Once downloaded, import the LUT into your editing software and apply it using the relevant tool — Lumetri Color in Premiere, a dedicated node in Resolve, or your software’s effect controls. Most packs include basic usage instructions.
Creative LUTs are designed for footage that’s already been corrected and converted. They’re a styling tool — not a correction step.
After an Envato LUT has been applied, you might find that further image adjustments might still be needed, depending on the footage and recording conditions. These changes are often used to balance the image and maintain consistency between clips.
Common adjustments during this stage can include:
In some workflows, the full LUT effect may appear too strong for the footage. Many editing applications allow the LUT strength or opacity to be adjusted during grading. Reducing intensity can help create a more balanced result while maintaining the grade’s overall look.
Once the adjustments are complete, it is useful to review clips together within the timeline. Reviewing clips together in the timeline can help highlight variations between shots during the grading process. This stage is often used to make final balancing adjustments across the project.
LUT packs vary by artist and style. Most include a range of creative looks designed for HD workflows and color grading, along with basic usage instructions.
LUTs can also be used in different ways depending on the editing workflow and the result being created.
For example, LUTs may be:
In many workflows, LUTs are treated as part of a wider grading process rather than a fixed final result.
A clean workflow typically follows this order:
This layered approach gives you maximum control and preserves image quality.
Some grading issues are related to workflow rather than the LUT itself. The following examples are among the more common problems that can occur during editing and color grading.
Small workflow adjustments can make LUTs easier to work with during editing and color grading. The following tips are commonly used to improve consistency and maintain more control over the final image.
No, LUTs should not be applied directly to RAW footage. RAW footage needs to be converted to a standard color space like Rec.709 first, otherwise colors and contrast may appear incorrect.
The correct workflow is: adjust exposure → convert to Rec.709 → apply a technical LUT → add a creative LUT → fine-tune with manual color grading.
Yes, log footage should be converted using a technical LUT or color management tools before applying creative LUTs to ensure accurate results.
Most editing software includes a mix or opacity control. Lowering this value helps blend the LUT more naturally with your footage.
Most Envato LUTs use .CUBE files, which are compatible with Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, and After Effects.
LUTs often look wrong because most are designed for Rec.709 or corrected footage. Log and RAW footage are unprocessed, so applying LUTs too early can cause harsh contrast and inaccurate colors.
Technical LUTs convert footage between color spaces, while creative LUTs apply a visual style or cinematic look after correction.
No, LUTs are a starting point. Most workflows still require manual adjustments to exposure, contrast, and color balance for a polished result.
LUTs don’t reduce quality on their own, but incorrect use—such as stacking multiple LUTs or applying them too early—can lead to poor results.
Creative LUTs should be used after your footage has been corrected and converted. They are best applied during the final styling stage of color grading.
As you can see, using Envato LUTs is powerful and is an essential part of your video and color grading workflows. They can completely change the appearance of your footage, but the order in which they are applied can affect the final result. In many workflows, RAW or log footage is first processed or converted before creative LUTs are added.
Creative LUTs are typically used during the final styling stage rather than the initial correction stage. For the workflow, a useful way to think of it is to convert first, style second. After the conversion and correction process is complete, creative LUTs can then be added to your project as part of the final grading workflow.
LUT workflows are not limited to video editing either! You can use color grading techniques, similar to those in photography and digital imaging workflows, to adjust the appearance of still images. Check out the video below to learn more.
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