How To Make Animated Emotes For Twitch

Introduction.

Twitch emotes are a huge part of what makes the platform fun and engaging. If you’ve spent any time in a Twitch chat, you’ve probably noticed how emotes bring the community together.

Whether it’s celebrating a win, poking fun at something, or simply showing support, emotes help viewers express themselves. But have you ever thought about creating your own animated emotes?

Animated emotes, in particular, take things to another level. They’re eye-catching, lively, and bring more personality to your channel.

And if you’re a streamer looking to stand out or build a stronger connection with your community, custom-animated emotes can do wonders.

Let me guide you through the process of making your own animated emotes for Twitch, even if you’ve never touched an animation tool before.

Why are Animated Emotes Important for Twitch?

Animated emotes are like the heartbeat of Twitch chats. They add more energy and make conversations feel alive. Regular emotes are great, but animations can take it further by making simple expressions more noticeable and fun.

Twitch allows streamers who are Affiliates or Partners to upload animated emotes, which adds a professional touch to their channels.

Plus, it shows your viewers that you care enough to give them something unique. When viewers see custom emotes, they’re more likely to subscribe to your channel just to use them!

Here are a few reasons why animated emotes can be a game-changer:

Grab Attention: Moving images stand out more than static ones. Animated emotes naturally catch the eye, especially in a fast-moving chat.
Show Off Your Personality: They give your channel a personal touch and let you express yourself in ways that static images can’t.
Encourage Viewer Engagement: Fun and unique emotes get viewers involved and encourage them to chat more.
Boost Subscriber Numbers: Exclusive emotes for subscribers make it more appealing to support your channel.

What You’ll Need to Make Animated Emotes

Don’t worry if you’re not a pro designer. You don’t need to be. There are plenty of tools that can help you create animated emotes even if you’re a beginner. Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need:

1. An Idea

Every great emote starts with an idea. Think about your community’s inside jokes, your on-stream reactions, or even something related to your channel’s theme.

If you have a pet that frequently appears on your stream, for example, an animated emote of them could be perfect.

2. A Drawing or Image

You can either create a drawing from scratch or use an existing image. If you’re not comfortable with drawing, you can hire an artist or use free image resources. Make sure the image you choose is clear and simple.

3. Animation Software

There are many tools available, some of which are beginner-friendly:

Canva (Free and Paid): Easy to use with drag-and-drop features.
Adobe Photoshop (Paid): Great for detailed animations, but it has a steeper learning curve.
Procreate (Paid): Perfect for iPad users who like to draw.
Krita (Free): Open-source software for digital art and animation.

4. Twitch’s Emote Guidelines

Before you start, make sure to check Twitch’s emote requirements:

File format: GIF for animated emotes
File size: Max 1MB
Dimensions: 112×112, 56×56, and 28×28 pixels
Content: Must be appropriate and follow Twitch’s community guidelines

How Do I Make Animated Emotes for Twitch?

Step 1: Plan Your Emote

Start with a simple idea. Sketch it out on paper or in a drawing app. Keep the design simple and focused since emotes are small and need to be easily recognizable.

Ask yourself:

What emotion or reaction do I want to show?
Will it look clear even when it’s small?

Step 2: Create or Find the Base Image

If you’re drawing the image yourself, use tools like Procreate or Photoshop to create the base design. If you’re using an existing image, make sure it’s clean and high-quality.

Step 3: Animate the Image

Once your base image is ready, it’s time to animate it. Here are a few basic animation types you can try:

Bounce: Make the image move up and down.
Spin: Rotate the image in a loop.
Blink: Have the character blink every few seconds.
Wave: Make a hand or paw wave.

Most animation tools have pre-set templates or effects that you can apply with just a few clicks.

Step 4: Resize the Emote

Once you’re happy with the animation, resize it to fit Twitch’s requirements. Most software lets you export your animation in the correct dimensions. Remember to save it in all three sizes: 112×112, 56×56, and 28×28 pixels.

Step 5: Test and Upload

Before uploading, test your emote by viewing it at the smallest size (28×28). Make sure it still looks clear and recognizable. Once you’re satisfied, upload the emote to Twitch via your Creator Dashboard.

FAQs

1. Do I Need to Be a Twitch Partner to Use Animated Emotes?

Nope! Twitch Affiliates can also upload animated emotes. Affiliates get access to five animated emote slots, while Partners can have more depending on their subscriber count.

2. How Long Does It Take to Make an Animated Emote?

It depends on your experience and the complexity of the animation. Simple emotes can be done in an hour or two, while more detailed ones may take longer.

3. Can I Hire Someone to Make Animated Emotes?

Absolutely. If you’re not comfortable making them yourself, you can hire freelance artists on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or even reach out to artists on Twitter and Instagram.

4. How Much Do Custom Emotes Cost?

Prices vary based on the artist’s experience and the complexity of the emote. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $100 per emote.

Conclusion

Creating animated emotes for Twitch might seem like a challenge at first, but with the right tools and a bit of creativity, anyone can do it.

They’re a great way to connect with your viewers and make your channel feel more personal and fun. So, what kind of animated emote would best represent your community?