To add an overlay in OBS, create or select a scene, add the appropriate source for each element, and position it in the preview. Use Image sources for fixed artwork, Text sources for labels, and Browser sources for online alerts or chat widgets; sources higher in the list appear above those below them.
Plan a clear layout, preserve transparency where needed, and test every scene and widget before going live. The steps below cover static graphics, live content, scene changes, and asset rights.
Plan Your Scenes and Layout
OBS organizes a broadcast into scenes, which are named layouts, and sources, which are the media or devices placed in those layouts. Decide which states your audience needs, such as a starting screen, main program, break screen, and ending screen. Create a separate scene for each distinct state when that makes live operation easier.
Before designing, decide where the main content, camera, title or topic label, and live information should go. Keep decoration subordinate to the content, and place labels and social bars where they will not obscure important parts of the image.
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Choose the Right OBS Source
In the OBS Sources dock, select the plus button and choose a source suited to the element you want to add. Use the preview to position and resize it.
| Content | OBS source | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed artwork | Image | Logos, frames, and static graphics |
| Changeable labels | Text | Titles or other text you update |
| Video or audio assets | Media | Video and audio files in a scene |
| Online widgets | Browser | Provider-hosted alerts, chat, or other web content |
| Camera or capture device | Video capture | Camera and capture-card inputs |
Source order controls layering: sources higher in the Sources list appear above sources below them and can cover them. Put frames and labels above the content they decorate. Use visibility controls to hide elements that do not belong in a particular scene.
Prepare Transparent Overlay Art
For transparent static artwork, Elgato recommends PNG; for animated transparent overlays, it recommends WEBM. These are vendor recommendations, not universal requirements. Choose the aspect ratio and dimensions for the composition you actually use, then inspect the asset in OBS to check its edges, transparency, and fit.
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Elgato lists 16:9, 4:3, 9:16, and 1:1 as commonly used ratios. A nonrectangular webcam frame may require a separate mask file. Build around your scene rather than assuming a graphic package’s advertised dimensions will fit without adjustment.
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OBS’s alert and chat tutorial describes using a provider’s widget URL in a Browser source; a plugin is not required for alerts. Providers named in the tutorial include Streamlabs, StreamElements, NerdOrDie, and OWN3D Pro. Confirm each service’s current availability, features, and terms before choosing it.
- Choose the scene where the widget should appear and obtain its URL from the provider.
- In OBS, add a Browser source to that scene and paste the URL.
- Set the browser source’s width and height to fit the intended area.
- Position the widget in the preview so it does not cover important content.
- Test that it loads and that the intended alerts or chat elements appear.
Use only widgets that serve the show. Alerts can display event notifications, while other widgets may show chat, an events list, or labels such as latest follower or subscriber.
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Rehearse Scenes and Transitions
Studio Mode provides a live scene and a separate edit preview, so you can prepare a scene before transitioning it to the live output. Use it to inspect a new overlay and rehearse changing from the main layout to a break or ending screen.
- Check that every intended scene is configured and that graphics are layered correctly.
- Confirm that browser widgets load, text remains legible, and animations behave as intended.
- Preview transitions between scenes and rehearse the changes you will make while live.
- Test the stream and its performance on your setup before your first broadcast.
Do not assume that an overlay will have the same performance impact on every setup. A 2022 research paper discusses resource demands in some streaming configurations, particularly when intensive applications are also running; test your actual setup rather than relying on a universal performance claim.
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Check the licenses for artwork, animation, fonts, audio, and other material included in your stream. YouTube says it scans live streams for matches to third-party content and may interrupt or terminate a stream if identified material remains. For licensed third-party content, YouTube says the rights owner may need to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist. This describes YouTube’s guidance, not the rules of every streaming platform.
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FAQ
How do I add an overlay to OBS?
Select the scene, add an Image source for fixed artwork or a suitable source for other content, then position and resize it in the preview. Check its order in the Sources list so it appears above or below the intended elements.
How do I add alerts to my stream?
Use an alert provider’s widget URL in a Browser source. Add the source to the intended scene, set its dimensions, position it, and test that it loads and displays alerts correctly.
What file format should I use for a transparent overlay?
Elgato recommends PNG for static transparent overlays and WEBM for animated transparent overlays. Check the result in your streaming software, since the right asset also depends on your composition and setup.
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How can I keep an overlay from covering my game or presentation?
Place labels and social bars away from essential content, and inspect their position in the OBS preview. Remember that sources higher in the list appear above lower sources and can obscure them.
Can I prepare a scene change before it goes live?
Yes. OBS Studio Mode lets you work in a separate edit preview while a different scene remains live, then transition the prepared scene to the output.
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