This wikiHow teaches you how to create a Twitch emote (emoticon) using the graphics editing program GIMP. As long as you are a Twitch affiliate or partner, you can create and upload your own emoticons directly through the Twitch dashboard.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Using GIMP
Step 1. Install GIMP from
GIMP is a free version of Photoshop and a photo editing program that allows you to create your own images.
- You can use any other image editing program you want as long as the program supports transparent backgrounds. Unfortunately, MS Paint does not support this feature.
- To learn more about installing GIMP, read the article on how to install GIMP.
Step 2. Open GIMP
You can find it in the “Start” menu or in the “Applications” folder.
Step 3. Click the File tab
This tab is in the menu at the top of the screen or program window. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 4. Click New
Step 5. Enter “112” in the “Width” column and “112” in the “Height” column
These dimensions produce a square-shaped canvas. Even though you need to create emoticons in three different sizes, start with the largest size so that the aspect ratio remains the same when the emoticon size is resized.
Step 6. Click Advanced Options
The build menu will be expanded.
Step 7. Click Transparency in the “Fill with: column” This option serves to make the image background transparent.
Step 8. Create emotes
You can read the wikiHow article on how to use GIMP to learn more about using the program.
You can open an image, copy it, and paste it onto the canvas if you want to use an existing image
Step 9. Click the File tab
This tab is in the menu at the top of the screen or program window. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 10. Click Save as
You will need to save the emoticon image as a-p.webp
- Make sure the file size is less than 25 KB.
- Give an easy-to-remember name (eg “112image”) for the file with dimensions of 112 x 112 pixels.
Step 11. Resize the image to create another emote
Since you need all three sizes (“112 x 112”, “56 x 56”, and “28 x 28”), you will need to resize the image several times.
- Click the tab " Image " and select " Canvas Size… " A new pop-up window will appear.
- Type "56" into the " column Width ” and “56” in column “ Height ”.
- Click " Resize ”.
Step 12. Click the File tab
This tab is in the menu at the top of the screen or program window. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 13. Click Save as
You will need to save the emoticon image as a-p.webp
- Make sure the file size is less than 25 KB.
- Give a memorable name (eg “56image”) for the 56 x 56 pixel file.
Step 14. Resize the image for the final emote
You have created an emoticon measuring 112 x 112 pixels and 56 x 56 pixels. Now, you need to create an emote with dimensions of 28 x 28 pixels.
- Click the tab " Image " and select " Canvas Size… " A new pop-up window will appear.
- Type "28" into the " Width ” and “28” in the column “ Height ”.
- Click " Resize ”.
Step 15. Click the File tab
This tab is in the menu at the top of the screen or program window. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 16. Click Save as
You will need to save the emoticon image as a-p.webp
- Make sure the file size is less than 25 KB.
- Give an easy-to-remember name (eg “28image”) for the file with dimensions of 28 x 28 pixels.
Part 2 of 2: Uploading Emotes to Twitch
Step 1. Open Twitch
You can find this application in the "Start" menu or in the "Applications" folder.
I'm the only affiliate and partner who can upload my own emote
Step 2. Click the profile icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the program window. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 3. Click Dashboard or Creator Dashboard.
You will be taken to a new page.
Step 4. Click “Affiliate/Partner Settings”
It's in the menu on the left of the screen, under the “Settings” heading.
Step 5. Click Emotes
It's in the middle of the program window, below the “Subscriptions” heading.
Step 6. Click Edit
The “Upload Emotes” segment will appear. Click the plus sign (“+”) icon in the emote box so you can select the image you want to upload.
- You will see separate tabs for “Tier 1”, “Tier 2”, and “Tier 3”. Each option represents the tier that users are subscribed to and the emotes they can access, as well as the proceeds for the respective tier.
- If you are not affiliated or not yet a Twitch partner, you can use your own emote on your private channel using the BBTV extension on your web browser. You can get this extension from