How to Stack Presets in Lightroom
- Cienna So
- Jan 30
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Imagine if every photo you edited could be a unique work of art—tailored exactly to your style. With Lightroom, you’re not stuck choosing just one preset. Instead, you can mix, match, and layer your favorite effects to create a look that's truly your own.
Maybe you love the nostalgic vibe of one preset but crave a bit more warmth or a burst of color.
That’s where stacking presets comes in. In this guide, I’ll show you how to break free from one-size-fits-all editing. Whether you’re aiming for soft, vintage tones, bold cinematic hues, or a dreamy film finish, you'll learn how to combine my preset packs to craft an edit that’s 100% you.
Ready to unlock your creative potential? Let’s dive in and explore the art of stacking presets for a personalized, standout style.
💡 New to Lightroom? Start here:
Now, let’s get into it! How to Stack Presets in Lightroom
Step 1: Start with a Base Preset
Your Base Preset is the foundation of your edit. This is where you set your overall tones, contrast, and exposure before adding creative effects.
💡 Not sure which preset works best for your style? Check out What Lightroom Preset Pack is Right for You to find your perfect match.
How to Apply & Adjust Your Base Preset
🛠 Apply your chosen base preset, then fine-tune the settings in the Basic Panel:
✔ Adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance.
✔ Tweak shadows and highlights for balance.
Making small adjustments here helps the preset fit your image perfectly before you start layering other effects.
Now that your foundation is solid, it’s time to enhance the vibe!
The Amount Slider Bar: Your Secret Weapon for Custom Edits
One of Lightroom’s most powerful (and underrated) tools is the Amount Slider (also known as the Opacity Slider).
Think of it like a customization dial—allowing you to control how strong or subtle a preset applies to your image.
Instead of committing to a preset at full strength, you can adjust its intensity until it blends seamlessly with your photo.
✨ How to use the Amount Slider for stacked presets:
✔ If a color filter shifts tones too much, pull the slider back until it feels right.
✔ If a finisher like Super 8 adds too much grain, reduce the opacity for a softer look.
✔ If an AI Sky Enhancer feels too dramatic, lower the intensity for a natural blend.
The Amount Slider gives you full creative control, letting you mix, match, and layer presets your way—without ever feeling like your edit is "too much."
Pro Tip: Adjust Base Presets with the Amount Slider
Did you know you can fine-tune the intensity of Base Presets using Lightroom’s Amount Slider? This lets you dial in the perfect balance without overdoing the effect.
🔹 Example: Here’s a look at Base Preset 3 from The Nostalgic Pack with its opacity lowered to 40%—see the before and after to compare the difference!
Step 2: Add a Color Filter to Shift the Mood
Color filters subtly shift tones, adding warmth, coolness, or a stylized color grade to your photo. These enhance your base preset without altering the overall structure of the edit.
✨ Some color filters from the Nostalgic Preset Pack:
🎥 Goldie Lux – Warm, golden tones for a moody, movie-like vibe.
🌊 Teal Tomorrow – Cool, cinematic blues.
🌴 Coco Bay – A dreamy beach-inspired filter.
How This Edit Was Created
1️⃣ Applied the Base Preset – Started with Base Preset 3 from The Nostalgic Pack to set the foundation for tones and contrast.
2️⃣ Layered a Color Filter – Added the Goldie Lux Filter on top to enhance the warmth and create a moody, cinematic vibe.
3️⃣ Kept Full Opacity – No adjustments were made to the opacity slider, allowing the preset and filter to show their full effect.
This simple layering technique creates a rich, nostalgic look while keeping the edit true to its original tones!
🛠 How to blend a color filter seamlessly:
✔ If the effect is too strong, use the Amount Slider to tone it down.
✔ Adjust the White Balance if skin tones need correcting.
✔ Fine-tune individual colors in the HSL Panel for a fully customized look.
Once your color filter is set, it’s time for the finishing touches!
Step 3: Apply a Finisher for the Final Touch
Finishers take your edit to the next level, adding nostalgic film effects, subtle grain, or extra depth.
✨ Some favorite finishers from Jaide & Jett Presets:
📽 Super 8 – A grainy, vintage film finish with soft contrast.
📼 1978 – A warm, film-inspired tone with muted highlights.
🎞 Gritty Film (from the Modular Pack) – A bold, cinematic film look.
🛠 How to make sure your finisher complements your edit:
✔ Apply it after the color filter so it enhances, rather than overrides, your edits.
✔ Adjust the Tone Curve if shadows or highlights need more depth.
✔ Lower the Grain in the Effects Panel if the texture feels too strong.
Your finisher is where your edit truly comes together, adding that final bit of magic to complete the look.
Want to master Lightroom? Learn how every setting works to transform your photos and perfect your edits in this easy-to-follow guide!
Step 4: AI Sky Enhancers (If Needed)
If your photo includes a sky that could use an extra boost, AI Sky Enhancers can bring out richer blues, warm sunset tones, or dreamy pastels.
🛠 How to apply AI Sky Enhancers effectively:
✔ Use them last to keep the sky balanced with your other adjustments.
✔ Lower the intensity if it feels overpowering.
✔ Combine with a color filter for a more cohesive look.
💡 Want more Lightroom tricks to fine-tune your workflow? Check out Lightroom Tools Every Photographer Should Be Using for must-know editing hacks.
Quick Guide: How to Stack Presets in Lightroom
✅ 1. Apply a Base Preset
Set the foundation of your edit with a Base Preset. Adjust exposure, contrast, and white balance as needed.
✅ 2. Adjust Intensity (Optional)
Use the Amount Slider to fine-tune the preset’s strength for a seamless blend.
✅ 3. Add a Color Filter
Layer a Color Filter to shift the mood and enhance tones. If needed, adjust white balance or HSL sliders for a perfect fit. (Repeat Step 2 if necessary.)
✅ 4. Apply a Finisher
Choose a Finisher to add grain, texture, or a film-inspired look. Lower opacity if the effect feels too strong. (Repeat Step 2 if necessary.)
✅ 5. Enhance the Sky (If Needed)
Apply AI Sky Enhancers last to bring out details in the sky without affecting the rest of the edit. (Repeat Step 2 if necessary.)
✅ 6. Final Touches
Fine-tune any last details in the Basic Panel to ensure your edit looks exactly how you want!
This simple workflow keeps your edits clean, creative, and fully customized. 🎨✨
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Want to connect with fellow creatives, share your edits, and get more tips on using Lightroom? Join our Jaide & Jett Presets Facebook group! It’s a great space to ask questions, get feedback, and be inspired by other photographers and editors. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pro, you’ll find a supportive community ready to help you grow and elevate your editing game. I’d love to see you there and share your amazing work with us!
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About Me
Want to know more about the person behind the camera? Head over to my About Me page to learn a little more about who I am, what inspires me, and the heart behind my photography and presets.
Final Thoughts: Make Every Edit Your Own
Stacking presets isn’t about following a strict formula—it’s about creativity and customization. With my presets, you have the flexibility to mix, match, and layer them however you want to create an edit that feels uniquely yours.
By applying presets in the right order, making small adjustments, and experimenting with different combinations, you’ll be able to craft edits that:
✔ Tell a story
✔ Set a mood
✔ Match your personal style perfectly
Need more help? Check out What Are Lightroom Presets? to learn how presets work and how to make them work for you!
