Streaming software is confusing enough as it is, and if graphic design isn’t your strong suit, creating a Twitch overlay can seem out of reach. But it’s actually very easy, especially with the help of Canva.

If you have been wanting to spice up your stream but aren’t quite sure how to go about creating a custom overlay, or you don’t have the funds to pay an artist to create one for you, this guide will teach you how to easily craft your own.

What Is a Twitch Overlay, and Why Should I Have One?

There are approximately seven million active streamers on Twitch, all competing for an audience at the same time you are. When a viewer is scrolling through Twitch, trying to find someone new to check out, how can you grab their attention?

anonymous Twitch streamer wearing a mask

The easiest way is by having a colorful stream overlay that will make your tiny box stand out from the endless sea of other tiny boxes. An overlay is a frame that borders your stream, giving it more personality. Personality is what people look for in an engaging streamer, but it’s almost impossible to portray until someone clicks on your stream to watch it.

Getting someone to click on your stream is the hardest part, and having an eye-catching overlay could make the difference between someone choosing to watch you or just scrolling past.

How Do I Create a Twitch Overlay in Canva?

The options are endless when you’re creating your stream overlay, and you are really only limited by your creativity and the dimensions of your screen. But you’re probably wondering where to start. The first step to creating your stream overlay is creating your project on Canva by clicking the purple + sign at the top right side of the screen.

1. Pick a Template

Canva is a graphic design tool that you can use to create anything, from Thanksgiving menus to—of course—stream overlays. You can feel free to pick one of their pre-formatted templates, but customizing it even just a little bit is recommended. You want your overlay to be as unique as you are, after all.

To find a template, simply type stream overlay in the search bar to bring up the hundreds of available designs. Scroll through until you find one you like, and select it. If you have fallen in love with the design as it is, feel free to download it as is. JPEG or PNG files work best for static stream overlays.

Changing the Colors on a Twitch Overlay in Canva

If you would like to change it up to suit your personality or brand a little more, click on any of the components to move them around or change their colors by pressing the icon at the top toolbar. Don’t be afraid to add or remove anything you want until you’re happy with your final design.

2. Create Your Own Design From Scratch

If you have an eye for design, and you want your overlay to be as unique as possible, you might want to consider making your own from scratch. The dimensions of your overlay should be 1920 x 1080px.

Using Basic Shapes to Create Custom Twitch Overlay in Canva

Create the basic shape of your borders by using shape tools like the rectangle and resizing them however you feel is best. To add new assets like text boxes or small pictures, open Elements in the side menu and type in what you’re looking for. Feel free to let yourself off the leash a little here. If you want a small cat to sit at the bottom corner of your stream, go for it. If you want to be surrounded by cow print, do it.

What Features Should I Include in My Stream Overlay?

The features you should include depends on the type of overlay you want to have. Some streamers prefer to have their game window as large as possible, opting for a single border along the top or bottom of the screen that displays their stream name, socials, or any sub and donation goals they might have.

Minimalistic Twitch Stream Overlay Example on Canva

These types of borders are very minimal and are the easiest to create but almost always obscure the game window to some extent—which is something you may want to consider.

Other streamers prefer to have a smaller window for the game, so they can have the entire screen on display, as well as have a space for their chat box and webcam. These types of overlays give you more room for creativity due to their larger size.

Viewer Leaderboards

Twitch Stream Overlay on Canva with Chat Box Webcam Window and Leaderboard

Many streamers feature a viewer leaderboard in their stream overlays, which dynamically change to display their most recent follow, the biggest donator, or the most recent sub. These are great for increasing engagement with your viewers.

Separate Webcam Overlays

A Webcam Border for Twitch Overlay on Canva

You may also want to consider having a separate webcam border. Every game’s user interface (UI) is different, and sometimes, you will find yourself needing to move your assets around to prevent your camera from covering your health bar or party information. Creating a separate webcam border allows you to easily move your webcam whenever you need to.

Create Unique Stream Overlays in Canva

Canva’s tools are a valuable resource and make the process of creating unique designs easier than ever. If you’ve been wanting a stream overlay for a while but weren’t sure where to start, you should now have all the information you need to create an amazing border that could make all the difference to your stream.