Plan Overlay Layout
30 minutesDefine brand colors, font choices, and placement zones for webcam, alerts, and chat.
Field context
This workflow is part of 4 niche fields
Complete guide for stream overlay design — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Define brand colors, font choices, and placement zones for webcam, alerts, and chat.
Size overlay elements as percentage of frame and verify contrast against game backgrounds.
Create PNG overlays with transparency and import into OBS as browser or image sources.
Preview overlays on actual gameplay footage and verify legibility at stream compression quality.
Size overlay panels and webcam frame as percentage of 16:9 canvas.
Ensure text and icon sizes remain legible at stream output resolution.
Verify overlay asset dimensions match OBS canvas resolution.
Align alert icon grids for consistent spacing in overlay panels.
Key benchmarks for stream overlay design.
| Element | Position | Size % |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | Bottom right | 15-20% |
| Alerts | Top center | 10% |
| Chat | Right side | 25% |
Minimal overlays keep focus on content — viewers subscribe for personality, not graphic design.
Preview overlays on both dark dungeon and bright outdoor game scenes before finalizing.
Canva and StreamElements offer free overlay templates — customize colors instead of designing from scratch.