Stream Overlay FAQs: Your Most Common Questions Answered

24th October 2025

Stream Overlay FAQs - Answers To The Most Common Questions From Beginners

What Are Stream Overlays?

Stream overlays are visual elements that you apply to your stream on top of your content as an additional layer. They are professional, unique and attention grabbing graphics.

Stream overlays include:
- Stream Alerts
- Stinger Transitions
- Webcam Frames & Boxes
- Stream Widgets
- Stream Scenes
- Icons & Labels
- Twitch Panels

You can find all of these and more, including 3D alerts and emotes in our range of professional stream overlays designs - Check out GETREKT Elements Stream Overlays Packages.

Do I Need To Use Overlays On My Stream?

Need? No. Should? Yes. If you want to set your channel apart from the rest, stream overlays are a tool that make a huge difference.

- Create a stream brand identity that is unique and recognizable.
- Add engaging features to your stream to keep viewer attention.
- Interactive elements such as alerts and emotes encourage viewers to support your stream by donating, gifting and subbing,.
- Professional level overlays with cohesive designs show that you take your channel seriously and instill trust with your viewers.

All in all, they are your identity creating, attention grabbing, support focused tool that help your viewer retention, viewer support and trust in your channel.

For cohesive and interactive overlays - GETREKT Stream Overlays

What Software Do I Need To Use Stream Overlays?

There are a myriad of streaming software options - you can read about the range in our article - Best Streaming Software 2025

Several are free to use, in particular OBS, Streamlabs and StreamElements (which are also the most popular). It is as simple as downloading, signing up for an account and then importing your stream overlay files, moving them into place and saving your scene.

There are plenty of guides out there for you to get started, visit our Guides page for our selection.

With GETREKT Overlays, they are purpose made for OBS, Streamlabs and StreamElements, and feature our easy 1-click setup to make it even easier.

Do Stream Overlays Work On Twitch, YouTube, Kick & Other Platforms?

Yes they will, for the majority of stream overlays, as all streaming platforms support OBS, Streamlabs and StreamElements. If you are using one of these software options, you should have no issue using your overlays across Twitch, Kick, YouTube, Facebook Gaming and so on.

What you will need to make sure of before you go live is that your sizes match up with the streaming platform requirements. Each platform has slightly different aspect ratios and you will need to adhere to these for your overlays to remain professional and high quality. We have a size guide for Twitch and some other platforms: Twitch Panel, Banner and Screen Size Guide.

GETREKT's stream overlays are tested to be optimized for Twitch, YouTube, Kick, Facebook Gaming and major platforms, so your graphics will always be ready to use.

Can I Customize My Overlays?

Yes, you can. In a couple of different ways, depending on your budget.

Custom Stream Overlays - These are created just for you. They are made by designers based on your ideas and wants, featuring whichever types of overlays you are looking for. These can range from simple 2D animated scenes, all the way up to purpose-built 3D interactive environments like the arcade we made for MegTurney showcased on the left. Custom overlays are the high budget option and are a true investment.

Premade Stream Overlays - Budget friendly stream packs that come with all the overlays you need to update your stream. Most bundles have customizable options, usually including text, design aspects and sometimes colors. Each of GETREKT's stream overlays come with options for you to make them your own, just check the product information.

How Do I Set Up Stream Overlays & Where Can I Get Setup Help?

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When you're first starting out, it can be a lot of new information and that can be overwhelming. However, most problems with set up are easily fixable. Our advice is to familiarise yourself with your software before you dive in and then find guides that work for you if you get stuck. Most common issues come from user error, so check drivers, connections, updates, overloaded ram and so on before anything else.

We have an entire guides section here at GETREKT that covers setting up your stream, customizing different elements of your stream, and other optimizing and instructional tips. You can find it all in the Guides section of the website.

All of GETREKT's stream overlays come with easy 1-click setup, and easy to follow setup guides (see video to the left). If you need more support, you can join the Elements Community Discord to get live help from the team as well.

TL;DR

Hopefully this has cleared some things up for you as you take on your streaming journey. The main lesson here is that stream overlays are not just decorations - they're a brand, a tool, and something that should be considered before and during every stream. If you manage to choose the right overlays for you - you'll see the edge that professional overlays give you.

Ready to take that next step? Head to the Stream Overlays Package page and find your overlays.

Want more setup guides or streaming tips? Make sure to visit our Blogs & Guides pages.

And join the Elements Community Discord for exclusive news, releases, support and more.

Time to level up your game,
Em

Author

Emma

Trading one mouse and keyboard for another to bring you tips, tricks, and support with streaming, events, social media and stream overlays.

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