Premiere Pro Beginner Workflow: Project Setup and Scratch Disks

Why project setup and scratch disks matter

Before you import a single clip, you want Premiere Pro to know where to store project data, previews, auto-saves, and exports. A clean setup prevents missing files, slow playback from poorly placed cache files, and confusing handoffs when you move the project to another drive or another editor.

Two things you are setting up

• Project settings: how Premiere Pro processes video (renderer), and how it organizes project-level storage (scratch disks).
• Disk organization: a consistent folder structure and naming convention so media, project files, and exports are predictable.

Step-by-step: Create a new project with practical defaults

1) Start a new project

In Premiere Pro, choose New Project. You will typically set three things immediately: Project Name, Location, and Renderer.

2) Choose a project name (naming convention)

Use a name that sorts well, identifies the client/job, and supports versioning. A simple convention:

YYYY-MM-DD_Client_Project_Edit_v01

Example:

2026-01-21_AcornCafe_InstagramReel_Edit_v01

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• Use underscores instead of spaces to avoid issues across systems.
• Keep it short but specific (platform or deliverable type helps).
• Increment versions intentionally (v01, v02) when you make major changes.

3) Set the project location (where the .prproj lives)

Set Location to your Project Files folder (you will create it on disk in the next section). Keeping the project file inside the project folder makes relinking and archiving easier.

4) Confirm the renderer (performance setting)

In the New Project window (or later via File > Project Settings > General), set Renderer to:

• Mercury Playback Engine GPU Acceleration (CUDA / Metal / OpenCL depending on your system) when available.
• Use Software Only only if GPU acceleration is unavailable or troubleshooting.

Why it matters: GPU acceleration improves playback performance and speeds up many effects and exports.

Frame rate and resolution awareness (what to set now vs later)

Project vs sequence: the key idea

In Premiere Pro, frame rate and resolution are primarily sequence settings, not project settings. Your project can contain mixed media, but each sequence has a defined frame rate and frame size. That means your job during project setup is to be aware of the intended delivery specs and ensure you create the right sequence later.

Typical delivery targets (common defaults)

Rule of thumb

• Match the sequence to the delivery brief (frame rate, resolution, audio sample rate if specified).
• If the brief is unclear, match the sequence to the primary camera footage to avoid unnecessary conversions.

Build a consistent folder structure on disk

Create a master project folder

Before you click Create, make a dedicated folder for the job on your media drive (or fast internal SSD). Example:

AcornCafe_InstagramReel_2026-01-21/

Inside it, create these standard folders

• Footage (camera originals, screen recordings)
• Audio (music, VO, SFX)
• Graphics (logos, stills, AE renders, thumbnails)
• Exports (final outputs, review files)
• Project Files (Premiere project files, backups you manually save)

Optional but useful additions (if your workflow needs them):

• Proxies (proxy media)
• Cache (media cache, preview files if you prefer keeping them inside the project folder)
• Deliverables (client-ready finals separated from review exports)

Example folder tree

AcornCafe_InstagramReel_2026-01-21/  Footage/  Audio/  Graphics/  Exports/  Project Files/

Place the .prproj file in Project Files. Put all media into the appropriate folders before importing, so Premiere’s links point to a clean structure from day one.

Scratch disks: what they are and how to set them

What scratch disks store

Scratch disks are the locations Premiere Pro uses for project-generated files such as previews, auto-saves, and other temporary or semi-temporary items. Setting them intentionally helps performance and makes cleanup predictable.

Where to set scratch disks

In the New Project dialog, look for Scratch Disks (or after creating the project: File > Project Settings > Scratch Disks).

Recommended beginner setup (simple and reliable)

For most beginners, the most reliable option is to keep scratch disks inside the same master project folder so the project is portable and easy to archive.

• Set scratch disks to Same as Project when you want everything contained.
• If you have a fast SSD dedicated to cache/previews, you can point scratch disks there for performance, but be consistent across projects.

Practical mapping suggestion

If you are keeping everything inside the project folder, use:

• Captures: Same as Project
• Captured Video: Same as Project
• Captured Audio: Same as Project
• Video Previews: Same as Project (or a dedicated fast SSD)
• Audio Previews: Same as Project (or a dedicated fast SSD)
• Project Auto Save: Same as Project (recommended)

If you prefer explicit folders, create a Cache/ folder and point previews and auto-saves there (still within the master project folder). The key is: choose a system you will repeat every time.

Auto-save: location and habits

Set the auto-save location

Auto-save is your safety net. Ensure Project Auto Save points to a predictable location (ideally within the project folder). That way, if you move the project, the auto-saves move with it.

Recommended auto-save behavior

• Keep multiple versions (so you can roll back).
• Do not store auto-saves on a removable drive that might disconnect.
• When starting a new editing session, confirm the auto-save folder exists and is writable.

Pre-import checklist (do this every time)

• Brief confirmed: delivery resolution and frame rate are known (or you’ve decided to match primary footage).
• Project folder created: Footage, Audio, Graphics, Exports, Project Files.
• Project file location: .prproj will be saved in Project Files.
• Renderer: GPU Acceleration enabled (if available).
• Scratch disks: set to Same as Project (or your dedicated cache drive), and auto-save location verified.
• Storage check: enough free space on the drive for previews/exports.
• Media organized: files copied into the correct folders before import (avoid importing from camera cards).

Practical exercise: Create a new project and verify settings

Sample brief (use this for the exercise)

• Deliverable: Vertical social video
• Resolution: 1080×1920
• Frame rate: 30 fps
• Audio: Stereo
• Project name: 2026-01-21_AcornCafe_InstagramReel_Edit_v01
• Storage rule: Keep project, scratch, and auto-saves inside the master project folder

Exercise steps

1. Create the folder structure on your drive:

   AcornCafe_InstagramReel_2026-01-21/  Footage/  Audio/  Graphics/  Exports/  Project Files/

2. Open Premiere Pro > New Project.

3. Name the project exactly as in the brief and set Location to:

   .../AcornCafe_InstagramReel_2026-01-21/Project Files/

4. Set Renderer to Mercury Playback Engine GPU Acceleration (the option name may vary by system).

5. Open Scratch Disks and set Project Auto Save to Same as Project. Set previews to Same as Project as well for this exercise.

6. Create the project.

7. Verify after creation:

   • Go to File > Project Settings > General and confirm the Renderer.
   • Go to File > Project Settings > Scratch Disks and confirm Project Auto Save points to the project location.
   • In your file explorer, confirm the .prproj is inside Project Files.

8. Sequence readiness check (awareness): You have not set the sequence yet, but write down the target sequence specs from the brief:

   Sequence target: 1080x1920, 30 fps

   You will use these specs when you create your first sequence.