Save DaVinci Resolve Title Font Defaults

As a video editor, your speed is your currency. Setting up repetitive elements like text titles shouldn't create a bottleneck in your workflow. DaVinci Resolve 21 offers incredibly fast keyboard shortcuts for adding text, but out of the box, it comes with a minor annoyance for most creators: the inescapable default font.

In this post, I am going to walk you through the absolute fastest way to add titles to your timeline, explain why Resolve defaults to its standard font, and most importantly, show you a quick workaround to establish your own custom font as the default title preset.

The Ultimate Speed Shortcut: "X" Marks the Spot

Before we change the default font, let's look at the fastest way to drop a title exactly where you want it.

1. Set Your Range: Hover your playhead exactly over the clip where you want the title to appear.

2. Hit "X": Tapping the "X" key instantly creates an automatic In and Out point matching the exact duration of the clip underneath it. This completely restricts the range so your title fits perfectly.

3. Shift + Spacebar: Hold Shift and tap the Spacebar. This opens the quick search menu, giving you instant access to every effect in DaVinci Resolve.

4. Add Text+: Type in "TEXT" (with a plus symbol) and hit Return. A Text+ node will drop neatly into the predefined range on your timeline.

The "Open Sans" Default

If you are trying to work really, really quickly, the default behavior of Text+ introduces a speed bump. By default, DaVinci Resolve sets every new Text+ title to Open Sans Semi-Bold.

Why? It’s completely functional. Blackmagic Design chose Open Sans because it is a standard font available natively across Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems. It ensures that projects transfer seamlessly between completely different setups. However, most of us rely on specific branding and custom fonts, lately, I've been exclusively using Poppins for my projects.

Here is how you can force Resolve to default to your favorite font.

How to Set Your Custom Default Font Preset

The beauty of this trick is that you do not need to be a Fusion wizard to pull it off. If you know how to right-click, you can do this.

Step 1: Design Your Ideal Title

With your Text+ title selected in the edit page, navigate to the Inspector. Change the font to your preferred choice (e.g., Poppins) and dial in the font weight (e.g., Black).

PRO TIP: Delete the placeholder text in the text box and leave it blank. This ensures that the next time you drop this preset onto the timeline, it is completely clean and ready for you to start typing. You can also set any default sizes or styling here before saving.

Jump into Fusion

Click the "magic fairy dust" icon at the bottom of the screen to jump into the Fusion page.

Step 3: Save as a New Template

Look for the node labeled `Template`.

*Right-click** on the node.

Navigate up to *Settings** and choose Save As....

Step 4: The Crucial Folder Placement

DaVinci Resolve will automatically try to save this in the default Fusion settings folder. Do not save it there.

* Navigate one folder level out.

Look for the *Edit** folder, and inside that, open the Templates folder. (Everything saved in this Edit folder becomes available in the standard Effects palette on the Edit page).

'/Users/username/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Fusion/Templates'

Inside the Templates folder, open the *Titles** folder. (Note: If a Titles folder doesn't exist yet, simply create one).

Give your file a recognizable name (e.g., `poppins_black`) and hit Save.

Finalizing the Workflow

Now that you've saved it, you can immediately find your new preset by clicking the magnifying glass in the Edit page Titles list and searching for "poppins black".

However, it won't appear in your Shift+Spacebar menu right away.

To finalize this workflow:

1. Save and Close DaVinci Resolve.

2. Reopen the application. As Resolve boots up, it re-indexes all the tools, making your newly saved preset available in the quick search commands.

3. Now, repeat the fast workflow: Hit X, press Shift + Space, and type your custom name (e.g., "poppins black"). Hit return, and your perfectly formatted blank title is on the timeline.

The Shift+Spacebar menu remembers a history of the last six tools you used. Once you've searched for your custom font the first time, you won't even have to type it again. Moving forward across your timeline, you can simply press Shift+Spacebar, tap the Down Arrow on your keyboard, and press Return to drop customized titles in a fraction of a second.