In OBS Studio, add an overlay to a scene as a source: use an Image source for a still graphic, or a Browser source for a web overlay, alert, or chat box. Put that source above the footage in the Sources list, then position and size it in the preview. You can also install or import Streamlabs overlays, but a plugin is not needed for browser-source alerts.
Choose the source that matches your overlay
| What you want to show | OBS source or route |
|---|---|
| A static frame, logo, or other graphic file | Image source |
| A provider-hosted overlay, alert, or chat box | Browser source using the provider’s overlay or widget URL |
| A packaged Streamlabs setup | Install from the Streamlabs library, import a .overlay file, or transfer a scene collection |
OBS describes Image Sources as adding an image or slideshow to a scene, and Browser Sources as adding a web page. See the OBS Sources Guide for source basics and the OBS Stream Layout Tutorial: Alerts & Chat Box for browser-based alerts and chat.
Add a static image overlay in OBS Studio
- Open the scene where the overlay should appear.
- In the Sources dock, select +, choose Image, and create a source or select an existing one. Choose the image file when prompted.
- Check that the file has the transparency you intend. A transparent image can frame or decorate footage without covering the entire canvas; an opaque image will cover whatever is underneath it.
- In the Sources list, drag the image above the gameplay, camera, or other footage it should sit over. Sources higher in the list render above sources lower in the list.
- Select the image in the preview. Drag its bounding-box handles to resize, and drag the source to position it. For precise placement or dimensions, right-click the source and choose Edit Transform. Crop it if only part of the image should show.
- Preview the scene and make sure the graphic does not hide important footage, captions, or other content.
Add alerts, chat, or another browser overlay
- Set up the alert, chat box, or overlay with its provider. Find the URL the provider supplies; it may be called an Overlay URL, Widget URL, or Alert URL.
- In OBS, select the target scene, choose + in the Sources dock, and add a Browser source.
- Paste the provider’s URL into the Browser Source URL field. Set the source width and height to fit the overlay, then confirm the source properties.
- Move the Browser source above the footage in the Sources list if it should appear on top. Select it in the preview to position or resize it.
- Check the scene in OBS before streaming to confirm the page renders at the intended size and location.
OBS says that plugins are not required to use alerts. Keep account-linked widget URLs private if the provider treats them as credentials; the OBS tutorial identifies these as URLs but does not specify each provider’s security practices.
Use Streamlabs overlays in Streamlabs Desktop or OBS
Install an overlay from the Streamlabs library
In Streamlabs Desktop, browse or search the overlay library, select an overlay and its components, and install it. The installed overlay appears in the scene collection. Streamlabs’ guide describes this route in its overlay instructions.
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Import a .overlay file
In Streamlabs Desktop, open Settings → Scene Collections → Import Overlay File, select the .overlay file, and review the imported scenes and elements. Adjust them to fit your canvas and content.
Build scenes manually
Create scenes such as Starting Soon, Live, or BRB in Streamlabs Desktop, then add each image element with the Sources + button. This gives you control over which graphics appear in each scene.
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Bring Streamlabs assets into OBS Studio
You can transfer an overlay by importing its Streamlabs scene collection into OBS. Another option is the Streamlabs OBS plugin, which Streamlabs says requires OBS Studio 28.0.0 or later and is currently available on Windows. Its guide directs Mac users to Streamlabs Desktop for Mac. Check the current plugin guide for compatibility before choosing that route.
Streamlabs says its plugin is free to download and use, with hundreds of free overlays available; some premium animated overlays and other features require Streamlabs Ultra. Those are Streamlabs’ own product descriptions, and a paid overlay is not required to add an image or browser source in OBS.
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Check the overlay before going live
- Confirm the overlay is in the intended scene and above the sources it should cover.
- Check that its position and dimensions suit the scene’s canvas and do not obscure essential content.
- For a browser overlay, verify that the supplied URL is correct and that the page renders in the OBS preview.
- For imported scenes, inspect each scene and source; do not assume an overlay designed for another canvas will fit without adjustment.
Troubleshoot common overlay problems
The overlay is missing or hidden
Check that the source is present in the selected scene, is enabled, and is above the footage in the Sources list. A source below an opaque image or video can be obscured.
The graphic covers too much of the scene
Check whether the image itself is opaque or lacks the transparency you expected. Select the source and resize or crop it with its bounding box or Edit Transform.
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The browser overlay appears at the wrong size
Open the Browser Source properties and adjust its width and height to suit the overlay. Then reposition or resize the source in the preview and inspect the result in the intended scene.
A Streamlabs import or plugin route is unavailable
For a .overlay file, use Streamlabs Desktop’s Settings → Scene Collections → Import Overlay File path. If using the OBS plugin, verify the OBS version and operating-system requirements in Streamlabs’ current guide; the documented plugin availability is Windows, with Streamlabs Desktop for Mac as the stated alternative. You can also transfer a Streamlabs scene collection into OBS without the plugin.
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Quick Recap
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