How to Sell LUT Packs Online: A Step-by-Step Guide for Nepali Creators
In the world of video editing, efficiency and style are everything. Look-Up Tables (LUTs) have become the secret weapon for professional editors, allowing them to apply complex, cinematic colour grades instantly in software like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. For skilled Nepali video editors who have mastered the art of colour science and created unique, compelling looks, Sell LUT Packs Online presents a fantastic opportunity to build a scalable passive income stream.
At Omega Film Institute, the best video editing school in Nepal, we equip our students with advanced colour grading techniques that are not just for client work, but for product creation. If you’re ready to turn your signature cinematic style into a profitable digital product, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from creation to commerce, with a focus on the Nepali digital landscape.
Step 1: Crafting the Perfect LUT Pack (Creation and Quality)
A successful LUT pack isn’t just a collection of colour grades; it’s a solution to a video editor’s problem. Your LUTs must be high-quality, versatile, and, crucially, consistent.
A. Master the Colour Science
Before exporting a single .cube file, you need a deep understanding of primary and secondary colour correction. Your LUTs should cater to different camera profiles.
- Correction LUTs (Technical LUTs): These are essential. They transform flat, low-contrast Log footage (like S-Log, V-Log, or C-Log, common on professional cameras) into a standard Rec. 709 or Rec. 2020 image, which is the necessary starting point before applying a creative look.
- Tip: Create separate correction LUTs for different camera manufacturers (Sony, Canon, DJI) as their Log profiles differ significantly.
- Creative LUTs: This is where your unique style shines. They add the mood, contrast, and colour palette (e.g., “Himalayan Sunrise,” “Kathmandu Street Film,” “Moody Cinematic”).
B. The Creation Process in Software
Both of the primary editing tools we teach at Omega Film Institute are perfect for LUT creation:
- In DaVinci Resolve: This is the industry standard for colour grading. Once you achieve your perfect look on a clean test clip, simply right-click the node where the look is applied and select “Generate 3D LUT (CUBE).” Resolve offers unparalleled precision for grading and exporting LUTs.
- In Adobe Premiere Pro: Use the Lumetri Colour Panel. Apply your grade, then click the three horizontal lines in the top right of the panel and select “Export .cube…”
C. Testing and Consistency
This is the most critical step. A LUT must work reliably across various footage.
- Test Clips: Test your LUTs on footage shot in different lighting conditions (day, night, indoors), on different skin tones, and from different cameras (if possible).
- Neutral Grading: Ensure your creative LUTs are designed to be applied after the initial exposure and white balance correction. Market them as a “look” to be applied to a balanced Rec. 709 image.
Step 2: Choosing Your Digital Storefront (Platform Strategy)
As a Nepali creator, you have two main options for reaching a global (and local) market, each with payment considerations.
| Pros: Utilises popular local payment systems. Cons: Requires manual fulfilment for local orders. | Description | Payment/Logistics for Nepal |
| Option 1: Digital Marketplaces | Sites like FilterGrade, Creative Market, or Etsy (for digital products). They handle hosting, downloads, and payment processing. | Pros: Global reach, high traffic, built-in trust. Cons: They take a commission (up to 50%). Payouts are often via PayPal or Stripe, which require a verified account and specific local banking/international transaction support. |
| Option 2: Standalone E-commerce | Platforms like Payhip or Gumroad allow you to create your own branded store page for free (or low cost). | Pros: You keep a higher percentage of the sales. You control the branding and customer data. Cons: You are entirely responsible for driving traffic. Payment gateway integration can be a challenge in Nepal (requires verified international accounts). |
| Option 3: Local Integration (Hybrid) | Using a platform like Payhip/Gumroad but directing Nepali customers to an alternative payment (e.g., eSewa/Khalti) via manual QR code/transfer and then emailing the download link. | Pros: Utilizes popular local payment systems. Cons: Requires manual fulfilment for local orders. |
Recommendation for Nepali Creators: Start by building your presence on social media (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok) and use a simple platform like Payhip or Gumroad, which offer seamless digital delivery and international payment processing, even if it has a small fee.
Step 3: Legal and Financial Compliance in Nepal
Selling digital products is a business, and compliance is essential, especially with new regulations in the Nepali e-commerce space.
1. Business Registration and PAN
- Mandatory Registration: As per the recent E-commerce Act in Nepal, all online businesses, even small and home-based ones, are required to register their business (as a micro/small enterprise or company) and obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) from the Inland Revenue Office (IRO).
- Tax Compliance: You must maintain tax compliance. This includes filing returns and potentially registering for VAT if your annual turnover exceeds the threshold. Consult a local chartered accountant for precise guidance on digital product sales taxation.
2. Payment Gateway and Foreign Exchange
- Selling internationally means receiving foreign currency. Ensure your chosen platform (Payhip, Gumroad, FilterGrade) can remit funds to a Nepali bank account via services like PayPal or direct bank transfer, following Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) guidelines for foreign currency earnings.
Step 4: Marketing and SEO: Making Your LUTs Visible
No one can buy your LUTs if they don’t know they exist. Your strategy must focus on value, visibility, and trust.
1. The Demo Video Strategy (YouTube & Social Media)
- Create Value: Produce high-quality YouTube videos demonstrating your LUTs. Show before-and-after comparisons on different types of footage (Log vs. Standard, day vs. night, drone vs. handheld).
- Software Specificity: Title your videos with SEO keywords: “The Best Cinematic LUTs for DaVinci Resolve,” “How to Install My LUT Pack in Adobe Premiere Pro.” This targets editors searching for solutions in their specific software.
- Testimonials and Use Cases: Feature other creators using your LUTs. Showcase footage shot in Nepali environments (Himalayas, Kathmandu streets, Tihar festivals) that your LUTs enhance perfectly.
2. Clear Product Packaging and Messaging
- Bundles & Tiers: Offer different price points, including a starter pack (3-5 LUTs) and a Pro Bundle (15+ LUTs, which includes technical/conversion LUTs). Bundles increase the average purchase value.
- Clear Documentation: Include a PDF guide that explains exactly how to use the LUTs—e.g., “Apply this LUT only to Log footage after setting your White Balance.”
3. Free Offerings and Lead Generation
- Offer one or two high-quality LUTs for free in exchange for an email address. This builds your email list, allowing you to market new, paid packs directly to an interested audience.
Selling LUT packs is a fusion of technical mastery and digital business acumen. By leveraging the advanced training you receive at Omega Film Institute—mastering Adobe Premiere Pro and the colour science of DaVinci Resolve—and following these business steps, you can successfully commercialise your creative vision right here from Nepal.
Ready to turn your editing skills into a global business? Visit Omega Film Institute to learn the professional colour grading techniques that create marketable LUTs!