Creating Custom Channel Point Icons for Your Twitch Stream

Keeping your viewers engaged on Twitch can be both rewarding and fun, and one excellent way to do this is through channel points. These points allow viewers to earn rewards by participating in your stream, adding an interactive layer to the experience. Let’s go over how to set up and customize these channel points and make them more visually appealing with custom icons.

Note: Channel points are available to Twitch Affiliates and Partners only. If you're not there yet, be sure to explore how to reach these milestones.

What Are Twitch Channel Points?

Twitch Channel Points allow viewers to collect rewards for being active on your stream, like watching, chatting, or following. They can use these points to redeem custom rewards you create. This system makes your stream more engaging and encourages participation by offering something extra to viewers who stick around.

How to Enable Twitch Channel Points

To activate channel points, follow these steps:

1. Open your Twitch Creator Dashboard.
2. From the menu, select Viewer Rewards and then Channel Points.
3. You’ll see the option to enable channel points. Toggle it on, and you’re ready to start using this feature.

Once channel points are activated, you can personalize the experience by setting up unique rewards and designing custom icons to represent them.

Customizing Your Channel Points

To add a personal touch, you can customize the name and icons for your channel points.

1. Go to Viewer Rewards and select Customize Points Display.
2. Click Edit to name your points. Choose something that reflects your channel’s theme or personality. For example, if your channel has a space theme, you might call them "Star Tokens."
3. Next, upload custom icons for your points. Twitch requires three sizes: 28x28, 56x56, and 112x112 pixels. You can use tools like Photoshop or Canva to create your icons and ensure they look sharp in all sizes.

These custom icons not only make your channel points system stand out but also strengthen your channel’s branding.

Setting Up Custom Rewards and Challenges

Now that you’ve personalized the icons, let’s explore how to set up rewards and community challenges to make the most out of your channel points.

Adding Custom Rewards

Custom rewards are a great way to let viewers use their points for fun and unique interactions with you.

1. Select + Add New Custom Reward.
2. Choose a name for your reward, such as “Hydrate Check” or “Trivia Time.”
3. Write a description explaining what happens when viewers redeem the reward. Keep it brief but clear so everyone knows what to expect.
4. If you want to require viewers to add text when redeeming, enable that option.
5. Set the number of points needed to redeem the reward.
6. Upload a custom icon to represent the reward, using the same three required sizes.

You can also set limits on how many times a reward can be redeemed per stream to avoid overload. For example, if your reward involves you doing something physical like a dance, you may want to limit how often it can be triggered.

Creating Community Challenges

Community challenges are another way to engage your audience. They allow viewers to pool their points together toward a shared goal, such as unlocking a special event.

1. In the Manage Rewards section, select Create a Community Challenge.
2. Name your challenge and give it a description. Make it clear what the viewers will unlock once the goal is met.
3. Set a target for the total number of points needed to complete the challenge. Make sure it’s a bit of a stretch, but achievable with teamwork.
4. Choose how long viewers have to reach the goal, such as a few days or a week.
5. Upload a custom icon to represent the challenge, using the same icon size requirements as before.
6. Once ready, hit Create, and remember to click Start to launch it.

Community challenges encourage collaboration among your viewers and can make the stream feel like a group effort.

Tips for Designing Custom Icons

When designing your channel point icons, simplicity and clarity are key. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Keep it clear: Since the icons will be displayed in small sizes, avoid overly complex designs.
• Stay consistent: Make sure your icons match your overall channel branding and theme.
• Add personality: Icons can reflect the unique feel of your stream. Whether they’re playful, stylish, or themed, they help reinforce your channel’s identity.

Adding Blerp to Your Channel Point Rewards

For even more engagement, consider integrating Blerp with your channel point rewards. Blerp is a fun Twitch extension that allows viewers to redeem sound clips with their channel points, making your stream more interactive and entertaining.

1. Install the Blerp extension on Twitch.
2. After installation, head to your Creator Dashboard, and navigate to Extensions.
3. Enable Blerp as one of your active extensions, then configure it to allow viewers to redeem sound bites using their channel points.

Using Blerp with channel points gives your audience a new way to interact with you, letting them trigger sound effects during key moments in the stream. It’s a fun addition that adds variety and keeps viewers engaged.

Final Thoughts

Custom channel points and rewards allow you to build a more interactive experience for your viewers. By enabling channel points, setting up fun rewards, and designing creative icons, you can create a unique environment that keeps your audience engaged and entertained. Start personalizing your stream today, and watch your community grow!