Emotes are tiny images that show up in chat when subscribers use specific commands. Creating very unique emotes is a great way to add value to your channels sub.
Here are some beginner steps on creating custom emotes for your channel on twitch.
Step 1
You need a program like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP to get started. GIMP is free to use and can find it at the following URL: https://www.gimp.org/downloads/
Step 2
After getting a program to create emotes, you need to know some of the rules and guidelines for emotes on the twitch platform. Here is a quick rundown list:
- Image needs to be in a .png format
- Need to create 3 PNG files for each emote in different size formats
- 28px x 28px
- 56px x 56px
- 112px x 112px
- File size can not be over 25kb.
- Background needs to be transparent
- Follow Twitch Community Guidelines and TOS
- Do not create images that intend to harass, hate, have extreme political phrases, are vulgar, contain drugs, sex and any sorts of nudity
- Rules / Restrictions
- Animated Gifs are not allowed
- Single Letters are not allowed unless its part of branding
- No emotes based on Twitch global emotes, expect for Kappa or VoHiYo derivatives.
Open up the program you have to create emotes and start with a canvas size of 112px x 112px or larger. Think of creative elements that encompass your streaming community and start creating a emote based around that idea. Create a color palette that you will use for all your emotes in the future. Palette should be similar to your brand logo image to keep it consistent and recognizable.
If you are not very creative in this department think about using a 3rd party.
Step 4
Once you have created the emote, saved it in the 3 different required formats with a transparent background, now it's time to submit the emote to twitch. Go to your dashboard, then click on Affiliate / Partner, then Emotes.
Step 5
Upload your emote's 3 resolution sizes, create a unique code and then submit.
That's the basics, the hardest part of emote creation is the creative phase. Thinking about unique emotes that stand out for your brand and community is very challenging. But it doesn't hurt to see what other streamers have done for emotes. Maybe they will inspire similar emotes styles that you can use for your channel.
