The Stream Deck is an invaluable tool for content creators, providing easy access to shortcuts and commands with just a tap. While the default icons are functional, customizing your Stream Deck with personalized icons can elevate its aesthetics and make it uniquely yours.

We will walk you through the process of creating custom icons for your Stream Deck and show you how to install them.

Stream Deck Icon Size

The required icon size depends on your Stream Deck model. Most Stream Deck models require a 72x72 pixel size, but the Stream Deck XL with 32 keys uses a 96x96 pixel size. Choose the required size for your model to ensure your icons look their best.

Design Software to Use

There are a lot of design programs out there that can help you create icons for your Stream Deck. Here are a few popular choices.

Canva

Canva is perfect for those with no design experience. It’s a user-friendly, web-based design tool that offers a wide range of customizable templates. The drag-and-drop functionality couldn’t be easier if you're a beginner.

Canva is free but access to some of the nicer tools and graphics will require a subscription to Canva Pro at $12.99 per month (or $119.99 per year).

GIMP

A free and open-source alternative to Photoshop, GIMP offers a vast array of features and is an excellent choice if you're on a budget.

Procreate

Procreate is a drawing app for iPads meant to use in conjunction with an Apple Pencil. If you want to get started with digital art, Procreate is an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that is highly praised in the art community.

Procreate is available at a one-time purchase of $12.99. There are several alternatives to Procreate if you have an Android tablet.

Adobe Photoshop

The industry-standard software for graphic design, Adobe Photoshop comes with many powerful tools. It can have a steep learning curve, but being proficient in Photoshop has benefits, both professional and personal. There are plenty of tips for beginners using Photoshop to help you get started.

Photoshop offers a few different monthly plans, so take a look at the Adobe subscription site to find one that's right for you.

Designing Your Icons

Remember to keep things simple when designing icons for your Stream Deck. The icons are small, so any tiny details will get lost once the icons are set to size.

Here are some ideas for designing your icons:

  • Choose a color palette of three to four colors and stick to it. A website like Coolors has a lot of free palettes to choose from and is a great place for inspiration.
  • When it comes to text, you can add your own in the design software, or add it directly from the Stream Deck app. Your options for colors and fonts are limited with the app though, so keep that in mind. You can also skip text altogether and stick to icons that will be easy for you to recognize.
  • For graphics, you can choose those offered by your design software (if applicable) or draw them yourself. Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of free icons on the flaticon website.

How to Apply Your Custom Icons to Your Stream Deck

Once you've created your custom icons, it's time to apply them to your Stream Deck. Follow these steps to install them quickly and easily:

  • Install the Stream Deck software. If you’re currently using a Stream Deck, you likely have the software installed already. If not, you can grab it on the Elgato website.
  • Launch the software and decide which key you want to customize. Click on the key to open its properties in the sub-menu, then click the dropdown arrow and choose Set from File.
  • Choose the saved icon from your files and select Open.
  • Type the text you want to add in the Title section. Click on the dropdown menu to configure the text as needed.
  • Keep repeating this process until you have all the Stream Deck keys customized to your liking.

    • Other Ways to Get Stream Deck Icons

    If you don't want to spend time making your own icons, here are some ideas for how to get your Stream Deck looking sharp in no time.

    Buy Stream Deck Icons Online

    It's very easy to make icons yourself, but if you'd rather download them ready-made, you can buy them on sites like Etsy or Nerd or Die.

    Use Emotes

    Do you have a set of custom emotes? If you use your Stream Deck for live streaming, you might already have your own set of emotes. The simple design and average size of most emotes can easily double as icons for your Stream Deck.

    Use GIFs

    The Stream Deck also supports GIFs, so you can make a GIF in Photoshop (or your design software of choice) or download one from the internet. Again, make sure it's an appropriate size without too many small details.

    Use Your Stream Deck to Its Fullest Potential

    Spending a little time adding your own images and GIFs can really personalize your Stream Deck and make it match the rest of your setup. Now that your Stream Deck is looking sharp, make sure you're experiencing all it has to offer. There are a lot of handy shortcuts for the Stream Deck that can really speed up your productivity.

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