How to Make Twitch Emotes: A Complete Guide for Streamers
~Twitch emotes are the heart of streaming culture—they're how your community expresses themselves in chat. Whether you're a new affiliate looking to add your first emotes or a partner wanting to refresh your channel, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating Twitch emotes.
Let's dive into the creative process and technical requirements!
What Are Twitch Emotes?
Emotes are small images (like emoji) that viewers can use in your Twitch chat. They're unlocked through subscriptions, making them a perk for your loyal supporters. Custom emotes help build your channel's identity and give subscribers something special to show off.
Why Emotes Matter
- Community building – Emotes become inside jokes and shared expressions
- Subscriber incentive – Unique emotes encourage subscriptions
- Brand identity – Recognizable emotes spread your brand when used in other chats
Technical Requirements
Before you start designing, know the specs:
Size Requirements
Twitch requires three sizes for each emote:
- 112 × 112 pixels – Large size
- 56 × 56 pixels – Medium size
- 28 × 28 pixels – Small size (most commonly displayed)
File Specifications
- Format: PNG with transparent background
- File size: Under 1MB per image
- No animation (unless you're a partner with animated emotes)
Pro tip: Always design at the largest size first, then scale down. This ensures your emotes look crisp at every size!
Creating Your Own Emotes
Option 1: DIY Design
If you have design skills, you can create emotes yourself using tools like:
- Procreate (iPad)
- Photoshop or Illustrator
- Clip Studio Paint
- Free options like GIMP or Krita
Design Tips for Success
- Keep it simple – Emotes are tiny, so complex details get lost
- Use bold lines – Thin lines disappear at 28px
- High contrast – Make sure your emote stands out against dark chat backgrounds
- Expressive faces – Emotions read clearly even at small sizes
- Test at all sizes – Especially check how it looks at 28×28
Option 2: Commission an Artist
Many streamers hire artists to create custom emotes. Look for artists who specialize in emote design and understand Twitch requirements. Expect to pay $15-50+ per emote depending on the artist's experience.
Option 3: Use Pre-Made Emote Packs
The fastest option! Pre-made emote packs come ready to upload with all three required sizes. They're perfect for streamers who want quality emotes quickly and affordably.
Popular Emote Ideas
Not sure what emotes to create? Here are classic expressions every channel needs:
- Happy/Excited – For celebrating wins and good moments
- Sad/Cry – For emotional moments or game fails
- Love/Heart eyes – Show appreciation and support
- Thinking/Hmm – When chat is pondering something
- Rage/Angry – For frustrating moments (used ironically!)
- Wave/Hello – Greeting other chatters
- Cozy/Comfy – Perfect for chill streams
Uploading Your Emotes
Once your emotes are ready:
- Go to your Twitch Creator Dashboard
- Navigate to Viewer Rewards → Emotes
- Click Upload Emotes
- Add all three sizes for each emote
- Set an emote prefix and name
- Submit for review (usually approved within 24-48 hours)
Emote Slots: How Many Can You Have?
Your emote slots increase as your channel grows:
- Affiliates – Start with 1 emote slot, earn up to 5
- Partners – More slots based on subscriber count
As you gain more subscriber points, you unlock additional slots. Focus on quality over quantity when you're starting out!
Ready to Add Emotes to Your Channel?
Creating custom emotes doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you design your own, hire an artist, or use pre-made packs, the important thing is to have emotes that represent your community.
Browse our cute emote packs for instant download—all sizes included and ready to upload! Want to try before you buy? Check out our FREE Nyaomi Emotes!
Related Posts:
