Last updated: 22 August 2026 · Written for OBS Studio 28 and later
The short answer
An overlay pack is not one file — it is a folder of images and looping videos that you add as separate sources, usually across several scenes.
- Unzip the download and look at what is inside. Most packs contain full-screen scenes (Starting Soon, BRB, Ending), an in-game layout, a webcam frame and panels.
- In OBS, create one scene per full-screen screen you have.
- In each scene, add the matching file: Media Source for
.mp4or.webm, Image for.png. - Right-click each source and choose Transform → Fit to Screen.
- For animated files, tick Loop and untick Close file when inactive.
First: which source type?
| File type | Add as | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
.png |
Image | Static frames, panels, webcam borders |
.mp4 |
Media Source | Animated full-screen scenes |
.webm |
Media Source | Animated layers that need transparency |
.html |
Browser Source | Not an overlay — that is a widget. See the widget guide. |
The distinction in that last row matters. Overlays are pictures; widgets are small programs that react to live data. If your download contains an .html file, follow the widget guide for that part.
Step 1 — Set your canvas first
Before adding anything, go to Settings → Video and confirm your Base (Canvas) Resolution. Overlay packs are almost always designed at 1920×1080.
Do this before you place sources. If you fit everything to a 1280×720 canvas and later switch to 1080p, every source needs repositioning.
Step 2 — Build one scene per screen
Rather than one scene with everything hidden and shown, make a scene for each state:
- Starting Soon — what people see before you begin
- Live — your in-game layout, webcam frame and panels
- BRB — for breaks
- Ending — the outro
Switching scenes then becomes one click instead of toggling six sources.
Step 3 — Add and fit each source
In the scene, click + in the Sources panel, choose Image or Media Source, and select the file. Then right-click the source and choose Transform → Fit to Screen.
Do not resize by dragging the corner handles. This is the single most common cause of overlays looking soft. Fit to Screen scales precisely; dragging rarely lands on the exact ratio, and the mismatch shows as blurring on text and thin lines.
Step 4 — Configure animated sources
Double-click any Media Source and set:
- Loop — on. Without it your animated scene plays once and freezes.
- Close file when inactive — off. Leaving it on causes a visible stutter when you switch to the scene.
Step 5 — Layer order
OBS draws sources top-down in the list. Working order, top to bottom:
- Widgets and alerts
- Webcam frame
- Webcam
- Overlay layout
- Game capture
- Background
If your webcam is covering its own frame, the frame is below it — drag it up.
Common problems
The overlay is blurry
It was dragged rather than fitted, or your canvas resolution does not match the pack. Delete, re-add, use Fit to Screen.
The animated scene freezes on the last frame
Loop is off.
There is a black box where transparency should be
A .webm with alpha was added as something other than a Media Source, or you used the .mp4 version where the .webm was needed. Transparent layers need the .webm.
Everything shifted after I changed resolution
Expected. Re-run Fit to Screen on each source.
FAQ
Do I need design software?
No. The files are ready to use.
Does this work in Streamlabs Desktop?
Yes — the source types and steps are the same.
Will these work on Kick and YouTube?
Yes. Overlay files are drawn by OBS, so they are platform-independent. Widgets that read live data are the exception.
How long does a full setup take?
Most streamers are live in 20–30 minutes for a complete pack.