How to Import a PNG Sequence Into Adobe Premiere Pro
To import a PNG sequence into Premiere Pro: File → Import → navigate to the folder containing your PNG frames → select the first frame (frame_001.png) → check the "Image Sequence" checkbox before clicking Import.
Premiere creates a single clip from all frames at your project's frame rate. The RGBA alpha channel composites transparently over footage — no keying, no After Effects required.
Step-by-Step Import Instructions
- 1 Extract the ZIP to a dedicated folder Extract the ZIP archive to a folder containing only the PNG sequence files. The files must be named sequentially (frame_001.png, frame_002.png, ...). Mixing other files in the folder can interfere with Premiere's sequence detection.
- 2 Open File → Import in Premiere Pro Go to File → Import (Ctrl+I on Windows, Cmd+I on Mac). The file import dialog opens. You can also double-click empty space in the Project panel to open the same dialog.
- 3 Navigate to the folder and select the first frame In the import dialog, navigate to the folder containing your PNG files. Click to select the first frame — frame_001.png. Important: select the file, not the folder.
- 4 Check the "Image Sequence" checkbox Look at the bottom of the import dialog for the "Image Sequence" checkbox and check it. This tells Premiere to look for consecutively numbered files in the same folder and group them as one clip. Without this step, only frame_001.png will import.
- 5 Click Import Click Import. Premiere scans the folder, finds all consecutively numbered PNG files, and creates a single sequence clip in your Project panel.
- 6 Drag to timeline above footage Drag the imported sequence clip to a video track above your footage in the timeline. The RGBA alpha channel composites transparently in Normal blend mode — the chart appears over your footage with no masking required.
Alpha Channel in Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro reads RGBA alpha channels from PNG sequences automatically. When the clip is placed on a track above footage, transparent areas in each frame reveal the footage below. No keying, no blending mode adjustments, no After Effects required.
If the transparency looks wrong — fringe around the chart elements, or a black/white halo — the alpha channel interpretation may need adjustment:
- 1. Right-click the PNG sequence clip in the Project panel.
- 2.Select Modify → Interpret Footage.
- 3.Under Alpha Channel, try Premultiplied (Matted with color: Black) if there are dark fringes around elements.
- 4.Try Straight (Unmatted) if the chart looks correct but edges appear clipped.
Frame Rate Considerations
Premiere Pro plays the imported sequence at your Premiere sequence's frame rate. If there is a mismatch between the intended frame rate and the project frame rate, the clip plays at the wrong speed.
- — Sequence rendered at 60fps → 600 frames for a 10-second chart
- — Premiere sequence is set to 24fps
- — Premiere plays 600 frames at 24fps = 25 seconds (too slow)
Fix A (recommended): Before rendering the sequence, check your Premiere sequence frame rate (Sequence → Sequence Settings). Match the export fps of your chart tool to this value. Re-render.
Fix B (after the fact): Right-click the clip in the Premiere timeline → Speed/Duration → change the speed percentage until the clip duration matches your intended animation duration.
Troubleshooting
The "Image Sequence" checkbox was not checked before clicking Import. Delete the imported frame from the Project panel. Re-import: File → Import → navigate to folder → select first frame → check "Image Sequence" → Import.
The PNG files are not RGBA. Re-export the sequence from your source tool with transparent background (alpha channel) enabled.
Alpha channel interpretation issue. Right-click the clip in the Project panel → Modify → Interpret Footage → Alpha Channel → try "Premultiplied (Matted with Black)" for dark fringes, or "Straight (Unmatted)" as an alternative.
Frame rate mismatch. Re-export the sequence at the matching fps (check Sequence → Sequence Settings in Premiere), or right-click the clip in the timeline → Speed/Duration to manually adjust.
Premiere Pro vs DaVinci Resolve Import Method
- — File → Import
- — Select first frame (the file)
- — Check "Image Sequence" checkbox
- — Click Import
- — Media Pool right-click
- — Add Folder and Group By
- — Select the folder (not a file)
- — Resolve groups automatically
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the "Image Sequence" checkbox do in Premiere?
When you check "Image Sequence" before importing a PNG file, Premiere automatically finds all consecutively numbered files in the same folder and groups them as a single video clip. Without this checkbox, only the single selected frame imports.
How do I fix the alpha channel if it looks wrong in Premiere?
Right-click the PNG sequence clip in the Project panel → Modify → Interpret Footage → Alpha Channel. Try "Premultiplied (Matted with color)" with black if the edges look fringe-y, or "Straight (Unmatted)" if it looks correct but clipped.
Why does the PNG sequence play at the wrong speed in Premiere?
The sequence plays at your Premiere sequence's frame rate. If your sequence is 24fps and your PNG sequence has 600 frames (intended for 60fps at 10 seconds), it will play in 25 seconds. Re-export the sequence at 24fps, or right-click the clip → Speed/Duration to adjust.
Can I import a transparent PNG sequence into Premiere without After Effects?
Yes. Premiere Pro imports and composites RGBA PNG sequences natively. No After Effects, no Dynamic Link required.
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Last reviewed: April 2026