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August 9, 2026

Premiere Pro 2026 Track Matte Key causes Text Layer scaling issue

  • August 9, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 49 views

Issue Description:

In Premiere Pro 2026, using the Track Matte Key effect with a Text Layer (Graphic Layer) as the matte source causes the text layer to scale down unexpectedly.

Steps to Reproduce:

  1. Create a new Premiere Pro project.
  2. Create a sequence (for example, 1920×1080).
  3. Place a video clip on the V1 track.
  4. Create a Text Layer (Graphic Text / Essential Graphics) on the V2 track.
  5. Apply the Track Matte Key effect to the V1 video clip.
  6. Set the Matte option to use the V2 Text Layer.
  7. Enable the effect and observe the Text Layer.

Actual Result:

After enabling Track Matte Key, the V2 Text Layer used as the matte source becomes unexpectedly smaller and its scale changes.

Expected Result:

The Text Layer should maintain its original size and position. It should only provide Alpha or Luma information as the matte source and should not be affected by scaling.

Workaround:

If I first Nest the V1 video clip and then apply the Track Matte Key effect, the issue no longer occurs.

This issue can be reproduced consistently. It may be related to incorrect scaling or coordinate calculation between Graphic Text Layers and the Track Matte Key effect in Premiere Pro 2026.

    2 replies

    R Neil Haugen
    Legend
    August 10, 2026

    Sadly, Ann is so correct on this issue.

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    Ann Bens
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 9, 2026

    Its not a bug but rather a poor design (has been this way for many versions). When scaling the video the Track Matte key does not work properly. Nesting is the only workaround.

    Might want to try the Properties Panel and add your video to the text layer and mask to text.

    Now both text and video can be scaled independently.