Video overlays are an essential part of your creator toolkit, capable of transforming flat footage into content gold. These simple motion graphics come in many forms – from confetti bursts and light flares, to subscribe buttons and glitch effects. But what exactly are video overlays and how can they improve your videos?
Even if you’re not familiar with video overlays, you’re likely to have seen them on content across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. That’s because creators often use some form of overlay when putting the finishing touches to their content. It’s an easy way to make your videos more engaging or provide extra context for viewers.
In this guide we’ll unpack everything you need to know about video overlays. You’ll learn what an overlay is and the most popular types you can add to your next upload – whether you’re looking to enhance your storytelling, help viewers follow along as you explain complex concepts, or simply want to achieve a certain aesthetic.
- What is a video overlay
- Different types of video overlay explained
- Five ways to level up content with overlays
What is a video overlay?
Video overlays are graphics, animations or text elements layered on top of your video to add context, enhance your storytelling, or simply make your videos look more eye-catching. They include a wide range of visual elements, including logos and buttons, captions and titles, and effects that help you achieve a certain style.
Overlays come in all shapes and sizes, offering endless possibilities for levelling up your content. Take YouTuber UnJaded Jade who uses simple text and image overlays to illustrate her commentary on her favorite non-fiction books. Or CaseOh who gives his viewers a dual perspective of his Minecraft gameplay by overlaying video on his stream. And then there’s Danny Gonzalez who opts to add light flares for a comedic, theatrical touch.
What works for one creator might not be the best fit for your videos though. So try experimenting with different types of overlay to find what suits your style. Some creators spend hours crafting their own overlays using video editing tools like After Effects, Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. But if that’s not an option for you, there are easier alternatives that’ll help you achieve the same result.
The best place to start your search for high-quality video overlays that you can download for free is a platform like Uppbeat. You’ll find tons of professionally made overlays. Simply choose the one you like, download and drop it into your footage to instantly elevate your content.
What are the most popular types of overlays?
When you start your hunt for video overlays, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice! To help you find what works for your content, we’ve pulled together a few of the most popular types you can search for.
1. Aesthetic overlays – Find your signature look
Ever find that sometimes your footage doesn’t quite capture that aesthetic you were hoping for? Overlays are a handy shortcut to achieve a certain vibe. Assets like glitchy or vintage overlays, and color overlays like LUTs, can change the tone of your edits to achieve a stylised or cinematic look. What’s great is that once you’ve found one you like, you can use it across your future videos too!
2. Functional overlays – Provide extra context and clarity for viewers
Overlays are like an editor’s Swiss army knife with tons of practical uses for different types of assets. They’re a great way to feed your audience extra information without interrupting the flow of your content. And they’ll help stitch together shots to create a cohesive video that doesn’t jump around too much.
Seamless transitions between shots can keep your audience hooked, often without them even realizing it. While text overlays are a great way to drive home key messages. Experiment with overlays to create videos that are clear, well organized, and have a strong sense of storytelling.
3. Animations and stickers – Make your footage stand out
Animated stickers have the power to make your videos even more dynamic, and hold your audience’s attention longer too. From subscribe buttons, to explosions and confetti, animation overlays can take hundreds of forms – get creative and play around with unique ways to use animated stickers in your videos.
4. Streaming overlays – Create a professional look for live broadcasts
Creators are increasingly on the hunt for specific streaming overlays to use in live broadcasts on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. These can range from social graphics to guide viewers towards their other channels, right through to full graphic overlays that give the stream a unique look and give viewers more information.
Five ways video overlays can level up your content
A well-placed overlay can be the difference between a viewer clicking off your video, or staying till the end. They capture attention, hold focus and encourage people to engage with your content. Here’s five ways to use them in your edits:
1. Highlight important pointsWant to drive a key message home to your viewers? Captions and animations can emphasize or add context to the most important parts of your video, without disrupting the flow. Productivity-guru Peter McKinnon does this to draw out key stats in his video on habit tracking. The result is a compelling reason for viewers to watch on and discover his secrets to success.
2. Encourage engagement from your audienceOverlays are so much more than just fancy effects or sparkles – they act as visual prompts to encourage extra engagement from viewers. A classic example is the ‘Like and subscribe’ graphic. Beloved by many channels from Lily Singh to Mob Kitchen, it gives viewers a gentle reminder to show some love with a simple click.
3. Make your content pop Video overlays enhance your visuals, plain and simple. Overlays can make any edit look polished, whether that’s with a subtle lens flare at the right moment, or explosions and confetti when you make your point. The best bit is the possibilities are endless – which means you can mix and match them like Andrew does in his motivational video. The result is a visually stunning intro that draws the viewer in.
4. Put a personal spin on your videosWhen you spend hours crafting an upload, you want viewers to know it’s yours! Branded overlays like logos or social handles can help tie your content to your channel. Or use them to help your audience discover where else they can follow you. Make-up influencer Christen Dominique is a pro at using overlays to guide viewers to her other social platforms – the result? More followers!
5. Share two perspectivesEver want to show two things at once? With overlays, you can. Videos and images can be placed on top of your base footage to give two perspectives at once. This technique is commonly used by commentary creators to add visual context to their point. Or streamers like Typical Gamer, who uses overlays to switch between POVs without disrupting the chronology of his game play. You’re providing your viewers with extra information and a richer viewing experience at the same time.
Take your uploads to the next level with video overlays
As you can see, video overlays are super versatile assets you can drop into your edits. Adding overlays is an easy way to elevate your content and keep people watching your videos for longer. They can provide valuable extra information, or simply make your footage look even better.
Whether you want to boost engagement or tell better stories, there are hundreds of uses for video overlays and even more options for what you can download. If you’re ready to start your search for the ideal video overlays, Uppbeat has everything you need – plus you can start downloading today for free!
