Create Custom Stream Overlays
Streaming games and other activities is more popular than ever and growing every day. This popularity also brought the rise of full featured streaming solutions like OBS Studio, Streamlabs and StreamElements that make starting a fairly straightforward affair. But as soon as you're online and getting your first views, you'll realize the need to have various interactions and features of the Twitch community integrated into your stream through overlays — things like alerts (for donations, follows, subscribes), a chatbox, promotions for your social profiles, transitions and so on.
Why use overlays for streaming?
Streaming is as much about the content of your streams as it is about interacting with viewers. No matter what you do, it's how you do it that people want to watch. It's only natural that streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube offer various ways for viewers to interact with you and your livestream should respond to that engagement. It's such a fundamental feature of the format that most streaming software supports interactive overlays out of the box.
Why have a custom overlay?
While streaming software often comes built-in with a choice of overlay packs you don't have much freedom to customize individual stream elements other than picking an altogether different style. With Videobolt you can easily create Twitch overlays that subtly reinforce viewer activity like changing the color of alerts depending on the interaction, a variety stream screens, or even color coding your overlays depending on what you're doing (chatting, playing a game, commenting on news, etc.) so that regular viewers know what's up as soon as they see the thumbnail. It's all right at your fingertips so you can figure out what has the most impact with your audience.
There's a lot of competition in streaming and you're going to want to use every advantage you can find to get ahead of the curve and drive more engagement from your audience. Your content and personality will always be the most important, however adapting the visual experience of your stream to reward various modes of engagement is a factor that will both motivate viewers to interact with your stream and encourage them to stay longer.
What types of overlays can I create?
Every pack of streaming overlays comes with an alert, webcam overlay, a transition and a stream screen. You can customize every element to serve a specific purpose, for example using the same template you can create a be right back screen, a stream starting screen or anything else you need. In addition to dedicated streaming packs, you can find individual overlays, transitions and lower thirds perfect for special occasions when you want your stream to diverge from your established look.
Where can I use my overlays?
Our packs are compatible with most popular streaming software. If you're savvy you can use OBS overlays, or you can take advantage of the more intuitive Streamlabs overlay implementation. The same goes for StreamElements. These are the three most popular tools, though it's safe to expect other solutions support WEBM overlays as well.
How many styles can I choose from?
Our library of stream overlays is always expanding. At the moment there are over 40 stylish overlay packs that contain all the streaming elements you need. You can expect many more soon to follow. Just this year we added over 1,200 new templates overall and we expect streaming overlays to be one of the more prolific categories.
How to make a custom overlay?
There's really not much to it, so you can get it done and go back to creating valuable content. All you do is:
1. Find an overlay pack that appeals to your style.
2. Customize it directly in your browser — pick a different color or make other changes to the look of an overlay.
3. Download your WEBM overlay and import it into the streaming software of your choice.
4. Pump your fist victoriously because you're up an running.
Go stream!
With your visuals in place and software set up, all you need to do is go live. Have fun and good luck. See you in the top streams!