Short answer
Before you start
- A template or graphic elements you may use
- A test scene in OBS
- A local capture to check on a small screen
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Step by step
- 01
Save an untouched template
Nicole, OBS overlays ↗Duplicate the file before changing text, color, or size. Name the copy for its scene. You can return to the original if an export turns opaque or the frame covers game information.
What you should see: You keep a clean template and a working version.
- 02
Decide what viewers must see first
Nicole, OBS overlays ↗Look at the game and mark the minimap, subtitles, health bars, and alerts you cannot cover. Reserve camera space too. A decorative edge that hides a game decision stops helping.
What you should see: The scene has clear zones for game, camera, and text.
- 03
Export a transparent PNG
Nicole, OBS overlays ↗Export only the graphic layer and open the file before importing it. If a solid background fills a space that should be empty, check the export format. A PNG without alpha covers the whole scene.
What you should see: The file has transparent areas where camera or game must remain visible.
- 04
Add it to a test scene
Nicole, OBS overlays ↗In Sources, add Image and place the overlay without stretching it by accident. Lock it once it aligns. Then add or move the other sources under the windows you designed.
What you should see: The frame stays fixed while other sources remain editable.
A clearly named scene keeps the overlay separate from gameplay sources. YouTube · 3:20 ↗ - 05
Place camera and game after the frame
Nicole, OBS overlays ↗Fit camera and capture into actual openings, not memory. Temporarily zoom the preview and check edges. If a corner covers chat or a minimap, change the overlay or its position before building another scene.
What you should see: Camera and game remain readable inside the layout.
- 06
Apply Chroma Key only to camera
Official OBS Chroma Key filter ↗Open the camera source Filters and add Chroma Key. OBS explains that Similarity, Smoothness, and spill reduction control color removal. Start with small changes and watch hair, hands, and dark clothing.
What you should see: Green disappears without removing parts of the face or leaving a hard edge.
The green background is ready to be removed with a chroma key filter. YouTube · 4:26 ↗ 
The mask defines the camera shape without changing the original file. YouTube · 5:55 ↗ - 07
Record movement before keeping it
Official OBS Filters Guide ↗Record a scene with a gesture, small text, and a game change. Disable the overlay for a few seconds and compare. If the scene reads better without it, remove elements rather than adding another frame.
What you should see: Every graphic has a visible job in playback.
If something does not work
- The PNG has a solid background.
- Return to the design file and export with transparency. Check the PNG in an image viewer before replacing the OBS source.
- A green halo remains around hair.
- Improve background lighting and change Similarity or spill reduction in small steps. Aggressive values can remove camera detail.
- The overlay covers game information.
- Hide it and mark what became unreadable. Move or simplify the frame before cropping the game capture.
Test before you go live
- The test scene remains separate from the live scene
- A local recording plays picture and audio
- Every change has a visible result
- You saved a screenshot or note of the final setting
- You reviewed the test before going live
Cómo configurar overlays en OBS con una plantilla gratis
Watch the full tutorial ↗Common questions
Does every scene need an overlay?
No. A game scene already carries information. Use graphics when they organize the image or identify a scene, and leave them out when they add only a border.
Can I use JPG for an overlay?
JPG does not keep transparency. Use it only for a complete rectangular image. Export an alpha PNG for frames and empty areas.
Does Chroma Key work with every background?
It can remove a defined color, but an even background and consistent light produce cleaner results. Test movement before a full session.
Why lock the overlay source?
It prevents moving the frame while selecting camera or game. You can still unlock it later. It simply reduces accidental changes.
