What Are Letterbox Mattes?
Letterbox mattes are black (or colored) bars added to the top and bottom of your video to create a widescreen cinematic look. They help maintain aspect ratio when your source footage doesn't match the target format, and they add a polished, film-like feel to any project.
Why Use Them?
- Consistent aspect ratio across platforms
- Cinematic look without resizing or cropping
- Compatibility with 16:9, 21:9, and custom formats
- Professional finish for client work
Creating Mattes with FrameGen
- Open FrameGen and select your target aspect ratio (e.g. 21:9 or 2.39:1).
- Adjust matte thickness and corner radius to match your style.
- Export as transparent PNG so you can overlay it in your editor.
- Import the PNG into your timeline as the top layer; set blend mode if needed.
Applying in Your Editor
In DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro: place the letterbox PNG above your footage, set it to full duration, and ensure it covers the full frame. No scaling or keyframes required—just drag and drop for a consistent look.
Ready to Create Your Letterbox Mattes?
Use FrameGen to generate professional letterbox overlays for any aspect ratio.
Start Creating Now