Creating Your Own Custom Overlays and Graphics

Ensure your assets are using these overlay and video file formats for optimal performance. (JPG, PNG, MP4, WebM)

Image Overlays and Graphics

When creating images for your Stage TEN broadcast, use the sizes specified below. You can build these in your favourite image creation program (Photoshop, Canva, Illustrator, Figma, etc).

• PNGs support transparency. This allows you to place graphics anywhere in a fullscreen overlay, or to set the level of opacity.

• JPGs can be used if you don't need transparency.

• Webp and AVIF image files are also supported.

Free Resource: Overlay Templates Click to download a set of example overlays, including Illustrator and Photoshop files.

Recommended Overlay Sizes

The sizes of overlays will vary based on your stream's orientation and resolution, which you will probably determine based on where your target audience will be watching from.

For Horizontal Streams

Horizontal Graphic Specifications

720p	1080p

• Orientation can be optimized for viewing on a desktop as on certain destinations, including TikTok and Instagram. In this case, vertical assets are best, though horizontal is also an option.

• Dimensions for horizontal videos should be 1920x1080, or 1280x720.

• Aspect ratio should be that of standard widescreen video, 16:9. 1:1 is also possible, but square assets may be cropped unexpectedly.

For Vertical Streams

Vertical Graphic Specifications

720p	1080p

• Orientation can be optimized for mobile-first (viewing on a smartphone) as on certain destinations, including TikTok and Instagram. In this case, vertical assets are best, though horizontal is also an option.

• Dimensions for vertical videos should be 1080×1920, or 720x1280.

• Aspect ratio should be that of a standard smartphone screen, 9:16. 1:1 is also possible, but square assets may be cropped unexpectedly.

Vertical Dynamic Overlays

Graphics will appear differently on screen, depending on which overlay is used:

• Fullscreen: All created graphics should be saved in a vertical (1080×1920, or 720x1280) format, to ensure proper onscreen placement.

• Lower Third: Graphics used here will be placed at the bottom quarter (¼) of the video, at full width.

• Watermark: Currently not in use.

Video Overlays and Graphics

You can also use video as overlays and graphics, which also need to follow the size guidelines, and should be set at either 720p or 1080p.

• MP4s can be used as Lower Third or Watermark overlays based on the size chart above. For video encoding settings, see below.

• WEBMs can be used as Lower Third, Watermark, or Full Screen overlays due to their support of transparency. To learn more about how to create WEBMs, see below.

Videos should use the following settings:

• File type: MP4

Optimal video settings:

• Codec: H.264/AVC (note: H.265/HEVC is NOT supported)

• Profile: Baseline

• Level: 41

• Keyframe Interval: 2 (1 keyframe / 2 seconds)

• B-Frames: 0

• Bitrate Range: 1500 - 6000 Kbps (1.5 - 6.0 Mbps)

• Resolution (Maximum): 1920x1080 (1080p)

• Frame Rate: 30 FPS or 60 FPS

Optimal audio settings:

• Codec: AAC

• Profile: LC

• Sample Rate: 48000

• Bitrate: 96 - 160 Kbps

Important: Make sure that your video clips have an audio track, even if there is no sound.

Motion Graphics & Special FX

Want to create cool animations or effects? Create a .webm file which allows for a transparent background for motion graphics. Then drag your file into the Full Screen Overlay box for a full screen effect or “Lower Third” box to make your names or call-outs pop.

How to build WEBMs (Videos with Transparent Background)

Note: The following workflow is specific to converting videos that were created in After Effects.

1. Make sure the transparency grid is toggled on in your composition. A white and grey grid will show.

2. Create your overlay

3. When adding to the Render Queue, select the following settings:

   • Output Module

   • Format: QuickTime

   • Video Output: RGB + Alpha

   • Format Options: Animation

   • Output To: name your .mov, then Render.

4. The QuickTime movie file you've created can now be converted to a WEBM by using a MOV to WEBM online converter, such as https://www.aconvert.com/video/mov-to-webm