A “Starting Soon” screen for Twitch is just a scene you show before you go live, usually with a background, a “Starting Soon” message, maybe a countdown, and your socials. It can be made quickly using templates or fully custom in tools like Canva or OBS scene layouts.

What a Starting Soon Screen Needs

  • Clear message
    Use short text like “Starting Soon”, “Going Live in a Moment”, or “Stream Starting Shortly”. Keep it large and easy to read so mobile viewers see it clearly.
  • Branding & background
    • Use your brand colors, logo, and style so viewers instantly recognize your channel.
    • A simple image, gradient, or subtle motion background works better than something extremely busy.
  • Extra info (optional but useful)
    • Social media handles (Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok).
    • Streaming schedule or “Today’s Game/Topic”.
    • Chat prompt like “Where are you watching from?” to get people talking early.
  • Motion and audio
    • Gentle animations (particles, slow pan, soft glow) look professional.
    • Background music at low volume helps avoid awkward silence.

Easy Method: Using a Template (Canva / Online Tools)

If you want something fast and clean, using a template is the easiest way.

  1. Choose a Twitch screen template
    • Go to a template site (e.g., Canva’s Twitch screens).
    • Pick a “Starting Soon” or “Stream Screen” template sized 1920×1080 (standard full HD).
  1. Customize the design
    • Change the text to “Starting Soon” plus your channel name.
    • Swap colors to your brand palette.
    • Add your logo (if you have one) and your social handles at the bottom.
  1. Keep it readable
    • High contrast: light text on dark background or vice versa.
    • Test how it looks on a phone screen, since a big chunk of Twitch viewers are on mobile.
  1. Export the file
    • Download as PNG (static image) or MP4 if the template has animations.
    • Name it something like “starting_soon.png” so you recognize it easily.
  2. Add it to OBS (or your streaming software)
    • Create a new scene: “Starting Soon”.
    • Add “Image” (for PNG) or “Media Source” (for video) and select your file.
    • Fit it to screen so it covers the whole canvas.

This method is perfect if you’re not a designer and want a professional look in under 30 minutes.

Custom Method: Building It Directly in OBS

You can also build a starting soon screen inside OBS using text, images, and widgets.

  1. Make a new scene
    • In OBS, click the “+” under Scenes → name it “Starting Soon”.
  1. Add a background
    • Add an Image source with a wallpaper/gradient.
    • Or add a looping video (Media Source) for moving backgrounds.
  1. Add “Starting Soon” text
    • Add a Text (GDI+) source.
    • Use a bold, clean font, large size, centered.
    • Write “Starting Soon” or “Stream Starting Shortly”.
  1. Add socials & extras
    • Text source for “@YourName” and social icons or handles along the bottom.
    • Optional text for “Today’s Game:” or “Next: Just Chatting”.
    • Optional fun chat prompt like “Chat is live! Where are you watching from?”.
  1. Add a countdown timer (optional but very nice)
    • Use a countdown widget or browser source, or a text source tied to a timer plugin.
    • Style it bold and readable, placed near the center or just under “Starting Soon”.
  1. Arrange source order
    • Top: text like chat prompt and socials.
    • Middle: starting soon text and countdown.
    • Bottom: logo and background.

Once this scene is set up, you just switch to it in OBS a few minutes before you actually start talking or playing.

Design Tips That Make It Look Pro

  • Keep it simple
    Overly busy backgrounds or flashing lights make it hard to read and can be uncomfortable for viewers. Subtle motion is better than wild effects.
  • Follow your brand
    • Use the same fonts and colors you use in overlays, panels, and logo.
    • This helps your channel feel consistent and “finished”.
  • Think about timing
    • A 3–5 minute “Starting Soon” is normal: enough time for notifications to go out and viewers to join.
    • Use the countdown to build hype and give people a clear idea of when you’ll start.
  • Make it reusable
    • Save your template in Canva or OBS so you can edit it for “BRB” and “Stream Ending” screens later with the same style.

Forum & Trending Angle

On Twitch and streaming forums, “starting soon” screens are seen as part of basic channel polish now rather than “extra”. Many streamers share screenshots asking for feedback on readability, color choices, and animation strength, with common advice being:

  • Don’t over-animate.
  • Make the text readable on mobile.
  • Use it to promote socials and set expectations for the stream.

As Twitch has grown and competition increased, small touches like a clean starting soon screen often get mentioned in discussions about improving first impressions and making a channel feel more “professional” even for small streamers.

TL;DR:
To make a starting soon screen for Twitch, decide on your message and branding, use a 1920×1080 template or build it directly in OBS with text, logo, and subtle motion, then save it as its own scene so you can run it for a few minutes before going live.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.