How to add a transparent stream overlay to OBS

01

Start with the final canvas in mind

Before designing anything, confirm the base resolution of the OBS scene that will use the overlay. A 1920 × 1080 canvas is common for landscape streams, while a vertical workflow may use 1080 × 1920. The Pixel Live download is intentionally wider than it is tall, with transparency around the graphic, so it can be resized without adding a visible box behind your video.

Enter the channel name exactly as viewers should recognize it. Choose the matching platform icon, then check the preview at both the default size and a smaller scale. A handle that looks dramatic in the editor can become difficult to read once it sits over gameplay, chat, subtitles, or a camera frame.

• Use a short, recognizable handle instead of a sentence.
• Keep the platform icon only when it helps viewers understand where to follow.
• Export one high-resolution PNG and resize the source inside OBS.

02

Import the PNG as an image source

Open the scene that needs the overlay, select the plus button in the Sources panel, and choose Image. Give the source a clear name such as “Twitch handle overlay” so it remains easy to identify after the scene grows. Browse to the PNG you exported from Pixel Live and confirm the selection. The transparent parts of the file should disappear, leaving only the icon and handle visible over the canvas.

Keep the overlay above the video or capture source in the Sources list. OBS draws sources from bottom to top, so an image placed underneath gameplay may be hidden even though the source is active. If the graphic looks soft, avoid repeatedly shrinking and enlarging the same source. Reset its transform, then size it once for the scene.

03

Place it where it supports the content

A handle overlay should be discoverable without competing with the subject of the stream. Start in a lower corner with a comfortable gap from both edges. Then preview a busy section of your normal content—not a blank scene—to check whether the graphic covers a minimap, captions, score, chat, or sponsor element.

For a camera-led stream, align the overlay with the camera frame or another strong edge in the layout. For gameplay, test more than one title because interface elements move between games. If a single position does not work across your content, create a second scene or duplicate the source with a different transform rather than accepting a bad compromise.

• Leave visible breathing room between the graphic and the canvas edge.
• Check light and dark footage before deciding on glow strength.
• Keep download buttons, alerts, and chat panels away from the overlay.

04

Reuse it without losing consistency

Once the position works, copy the source into related scenes or create a nested scene that contains reusable branding. A nested scene is useful when several layouts should share the exact same overlay and position. Updating that nested scene can then update every scene that includes it.

Store the original PNG in a stable project folder. If OBS cannot find the image later because it was moved or deleted, the source will appear missing. A simple folder structure—brand assets, scenes, alerts, and recordings—prevents small file changes from breaking a live setup.

05

Do a real output check

Use OBS Studio Mode or make a short local recording before going live. Watch the recording at normal viewing size on both a desktop and a phone. Confirm that the handle is readable, the icon is recognizable, and the overlay does not pull attention away from the content.

The last check matters because the editor preview, OBS canvas, and a compressed social upload can all feel different. If the handle becomes muddy after compression, increase its size slightly or reduce the glow. Clear edges generally survive compression better than a large soft halo.