Free Emote Templates and Resources for Twitch Streamers

Not every streamer can afford to commission custom emotes, and not everyone has illustration skills. But that doesn't mean you're stuck with boring default emotes. There's a wealth of free resources out there—if you know where to look.

I've curated the best free emote resources I've found over the years. Whether you're looking for templates to customize, inspiration galleries, or free-to-use designs, this guide has you covered.

Understanding Emote Templates

Emote templates come in several forms:

Base templates: Customizable character bases you modify with colors, expressions, accessories
Layer templates: PSD/Procreate files with organized layers for easy editing
Size templates: Pre-sized canvases with guides for Twitch requirements
Style guides: Instructions and examples for creating your own

Free Template Sources

Canvas Templates

Start with properly sized canvases:

Our tool: Use StreamEmote to resize any source image to exact Twitch dimensions
Photoshop templates: Many artists share free PSDs with emote grid layouts
Canva: Pre-made streaming asset templates including emote bases

Customizable Character Templates

Several artists offer free base templates:

DeviantArt has numerous free-to-use emote bases (check each artist's terms)
Twitch artist communities on Discord often share freebies
Some Fiverr artists offer free sample templates to attract clients

Emoji and Icon Sources

Free icon libraries can be adapted for emote use:

Twemoji: Twitter's open-source emoji set
OpenMoji: Open-source emoji project
Icons8: Some free icons with attribution

Note: Always check licensing. Some require attribution, some prohibit commercial use.

Free Design Tools

For Creating from Scratch

GIMP: Free Photoshop alternative with full layer support
Krita: Free painting software, great for digital art
Photopea: Browser-based Photoshop clone, completely free
Canva: Easy drag-and-drop design with free tier

For Animation

ezgif.com: Create and edit GIFs online for free
Piskel: Free pixel art animation tool
OpenToonz: Professional-grade free animation software

Design Tips for Using Templates

Customize Meaningfully

Don't just use a template as-is. Add your brand colors, unique details, or personal touches. Templates should be starting points.

Test at All Sizes

Whatever source you use, always test the final result at 28×28 pixels. Many beautiful designs become unreadable at actual chat size.

Maintain Consistency

If using multiple templates or sources, aim for visual consistency. Same line weights, similar styles, matching color palettes.

Learning Resources

Tutorials

YouTube has extensive emote design tutorials from professional artists
Pinterest boards curate emote design inspiration
Our emote design tips guide covers the fundamentals

Communities

Reddit: r/Twitch and r/streaming for advice and feedback
Discord: Streaming communities often have art-help channels
Twitter: Follow emote artists and engage with the community

From Template to Upload

Once you've created or customized your emote:

Export at highest quality available
Use our StreamEmote resizer to generate all three required sizes
Verify each size looks clear and readable
Upload to Twitch via your Creator Dashboard

When to Invest in Custom Work

Free resources are great for starting out, but consider commissioning custom emotes when:

You've reached Affiliate and have consistent viewers
Your brand identity is established enough to guide an artist
Subscribers are asking for better emotes
You want emotes that are uniquely yours

Final Thoughts

Free resources can absolutely get you started with emotes. Many successful streamers used templates and free tools early on before investing in custom work.

The key is making whatever you use feel like yours. Customize colors, add personal touches, and ensure everything fits your brand. Your community cares more about having unique expressions than having expensive art.