Live streaming has become an extremely popular way for content creators to engage with their audience in real time. One of the keys to creating a professional and engaging live stream is using overlays. Overlays are graphic elements that are displayed on top of your video content during a live stream. They can include things like your logo, alerts, banners, widgets, and more. Adding overlays is a great way to brand your stream, display important information, and make your stream visually appealing.
Why use overlays for live streaming?
There are many benefits to using overlays for your live streams:
- Branding – Overlays allow you to display your logo, channel art, and branding consistently during your streams. This helps viewers recognize your channel and builds brand awareness.
- Visual interest – Creative overlays make your stream look more professional and visually engaging by breaking up just a webcam or gameplay footage.
- Displaying information – You can use overlays to share important info with your viewers in real time like new subscribers, donations, social media, etc.
- Interactivity – Overlays give you more options for interacting with your audience like polls, chatboxes, alerts, and more.
- Navigation – Some streamers use overlays for navigation buttons, menus, or to highlight important tabs/screens.
The key is to use overlays strategically to enhance your stream instead of overcrowding the screen. Well-designed overlays will make your stream look clean, professional, and capture viewers’ interest.
Types of overlays for live streaming
There are many different types of graphic overlays you can use on a live stream. Here are some of the most popular:
Webcam overlay
A webcam overlay frames your webcam footage and allows you to display graphics around your on-screen presence. Common webcam overlays include:
- Webcam frame – Surrounds your webcam feed with a border, often with your branding.
- Alerts – Notifications of events like new subscribers, donations, hosts, etc.
- Chatbox – Displays your live chat feed on screen.
- Channel art – Displays your channel branding, logo, etc. behind you.
Gameplay overlay
Gameplay overlays sit on top of your game footage and can include elements like:
- Webcam – A smaller webcam overlay often in the corner of gaming streams.
- Alerts – Same as webcam alerts.
- Notifications – On-screen text for donations, followers, etc.
- Stats/info – Real-time stats about the game, stream, etc.
- Leaderboards
- Navigation buttons or graphics
Full screen overlays
Full screen overlays cover the entire broadcast visual and can include:
- Intermission/outro slides
- Full screen notifications and alerts
- “Stream starting soon” images
- Sponsor graphics and ads
- Alerts and info during transition screens in gameplay
Interactive overlays
Interactive overlays display real-time information based on viewer participation:
- Donation tracker
- Subscriber/follower goal tracker
- Polls
- Mini-games
- Voting widgets
- Clapping/cheering interactions
How to create overlays for live streaming
Once you’ve decided what types of overlays you want for your stream, you’ll need to actually create them. Here are a few options for making graphics overlays:
Use live streaming software tools
Many popular live streaming programs have built-in tools or templates to help you create overlays right inside the software.
For example:
- OBS Studio – Open source software with Scene Collections and Studio Mode for building complex layouts with overlays.
- Streamlabs OBS – Free streaming software with many overlays and templates available.
- StreamElements – Browser-based streaming tools with an overlay editor and content library.
- Lightstream – Cloud-based live streaming service with overlay and layout templates.
Check the options within your streaming software for pre-made templates and customization tools to create your overlays.
Use third-party overlay creators
There are also many websites and tools dedicated specifically to building overlays and graphics:
- Own3D – Subscription service with custom and template overlays.
- NERDordie – Custom overlay design services.
- Streamlabs OBS – Free overlays and templates.
- Strexm – Web-based editor to build overlays.
- Canva – Free online graphic design program.
These tools make it easy to customize overlays with your own branding, colors, content, etc. Many include various templates, fonts, icons, themes, and more to chose from.
Hire a graphic designer
For maximum customization and a completely unique look, consider hiring a graphic designer. Many specialize in crafting overlays, logos, and assets for live streaming channels. They can design completely custom overlays with your specific vision and needs in mind.
Places to find freelance designers include:
- Fiverr
- Upwork
- 99Designs
- Local graphic designers
Be sure to provide detailed examples of your ideal overlay designs and specifics like dimensions, placement, colors, etc.
Make your own with design software
You can create overlays yourself using graphic design programs like:
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- GIMP
- Inkscape
Designing your own overlays gives you complete control but does require graphic design skill and knowledge. Watch tutorials on overlay design within your software of choice to learn the processes and best practices.
How to add overlays to your live stream
Once you’ve created your slick overlays, it’s time to add them to your live stream layout. The process differs slightly depending on your streaming software and tools.
Using streaming software
Within your streaming software like OBS or Streamlabs OBS, you’ll simply add your overlay image/graphics to the desired scenes and sources.
For example, in OBS:
- Import your overlay graphic files (JPG, PNG, etc).
- Add a new Source to a Scene (like webcam, game, etc).
- Select the type of source (Image, Text, etc).
- Choose your imported overlay image file.
- Position and scale the overlay on screen.
Many streaming programs also have options to add built-in overlays for webcams, alerts, etc.
Using third-party integrations
If you create overlays using third-party sites and tools, they typically provide direct integration into streaming software.
For example, Streamlabs OBS has direct integration with Streamlabs’ services, allowing you to easily import their overlays. StreamElements has browser source integration to let you pull their web-based overlays directly into OBS.
Follow the instructions from the specific tool for adding those overlays into your streaming platform.
Using web-based overlays
Some overlays are delivered as web-based widgets that you can integrate into streaming software as a browser source. This allows real-time web content like alerts, chats, etc to be displayed as an in-stream overlay.
To add a web overlay:
- Copy the widget URL or embed code provided.
- Add a Browser Source within your streaming software.
- Paste the URL or embed code.
- Position and scale as needed.
Any live updates from the web overlay will be shown in real time in your broadcast.
Tips for overlay design
Creating great looking overlays that also improve your stream requires some design knowledge. Here are some pro tips:
- Use fonts, colors, assets consistent with your overall branding.
- Make sure overlays complement your content without covering too much.
- Include some transparent space in designs to not block too much content.
- Use minimal, clean designs that don’t distract or clutter.
- Make key info like alerts and text big and legible.
- Use contrasting colors for legibility.
- Keep designs simple and sleek for webcam overlays.
- Allow space for a webcam without blocking key info.
- Use transparent backgrounds if placing over busy gameplay.
Conclusion
Adding overlays is one of the best ways to level up your live stream production value. Using the right overlays not only makes your stream look more professional, but also improves the viewer experience by displaying key information and content.
With built-in overlay options in streaming software, third-party integrations, web widgets, and professional design services, it’s easier than ever to get creative overlays set up. Graphic design knowledge helps, but not entirely necessary. Just be sure overlays complement without overwhelming your actual content.
The right overlays create engagement, deliver your branding, and take your production to the next level. Now get streaming and use overlays to make your broadcast pop!