RaceLab Support – Custom Text Overlay (Streaming – Any platform)

Custom Text Overlay (Streaming – Any platform)

The Custom Text overlay is a simple but powerful overlay that shows any short block of text you type into RaceLab. You can use it for “Stream starting soon”, “Be right back”, sponsor names, Discord information, rules, or any short message you want viewers to see clearly on screen.

Good news: unlike the Twitch-only chat overlays, the Custom Text overlay is platform independent. It works as a normal browser source in OBS, Streamlabs and other software, and can be used with Twitch, YouTube, Kick or any platform that receives your stream.

What the Custom Text overlay is for

  • “Stream starting soon” or “Be right back” panels.
  • Showing your Discord, website or RaceLab support link.
  • Brief rules or reminders for league / hosted races.
  • Simple sponsor text (“Supported by …”).
  • Temporary notices (server issues, schedule changes, giveaways).

The text is controlled from the RaceLab app, so you can update the message without editing scenes directly in OBS during a live session.

1. Requirements

  • RaceLab app installed and running.
  • Streaming software such as OBS Studio or Streamlabs.
  • A layout in RaceLab that you use for streaming overlays (not your main driving overlay layout).

2. Create a layout with Custom Text

  1. Open the RaceLab App.
  2. Go to the Layouts section.
  3. Create a new layout (for example: “Stream – Custom Text”) or edit your existing stream layout.
  4. Click Add widget.
  5. Select the Custom Text overlay from the widget list.
  6. Position the text box where you want the message to appear:
    • Top or bottom of the screen for banners, or
    • Centre of the screen for “starting soon / BRB” type panels.
  7. Resize the box so your typical message length fits comfortably without wrapping too many times.
  8. Adjust fonts, colours and background in RaceLab to match your stream branding and keep the text readable.
  9. Save the layout.
Tip – dedicated info layout You can create a separate layout that contains only a Custom Text overlay and maybe one or two simple elements. Then use that layout as a clean “info” or “announcement” scene, switching back to your main layout when driving.

3. Enter your message text in RaceLab

  1. With the layout open in RaceLab, select the Custom Text widget.
  2. Find the field where you can enter the text message for this overlay (label wording may differ slightly depending on the RaceLab version).
  3. Type the message you want to show, for example: “Stream starting soon – grab a drink!” or “Join our Discord: search for ‘RaceLab Support’ in Discord.”
  4. Check the preview in RaceLab to confirm the message fits nicely in the box and is readable.
  5. Save the changes to the layout.

4. Add the overlay to OBS / Streamlabs

  1. In RaceLab, open the layout that contains your Custom Text overlay.
  2. Copy the overlay URL / browser link for that layout.
  3. Open OBS Studio (or your streaming software).
  4. Choose the scene where you want the text message to appear.
  5. Click Add > Browser Source.
  6. Give it a name such as “RaceLab – Custom Text”.
  7. Paste the overlay URL into the URL field.
  8. Set an initial size, for example:
    • For a banner at top/bottom: width 1200–1920, height 150–250 pixels.
    • For a central info box: width 800–1200, height 300–500 pixels.
  9. Press OK and drag the browser source into the final position in your scene.
Tip – reuse one Custom Text overlay across multiple scenes Add the same browser source to several scenes so your message can follow you around. When you change the text in RaceLab, it updates everywhere that overlay is visible.

5. Updating the message during a stream

  1. Keep the RaceLab app open while you are live.
  2. When you need to change the message (for example from “Starting soon” to “Back in 5 minutes”), open the layout that contains the Custom Text widget.
  3. Edit the text in the widget’s message field.
  4. Save the layout. The browser source in OBS will update automatically after a short moment.
  5. Check your OBS preview or program output to confirm the new message is correct before you switch scenes or walk away.

6. Common problems and quick fixes

  • Overlay shows but text is missing:
    Make sure the Custom Text widget actually has a message entered in RaceLab and that you saved the layout after editing it.
  • Text is off the edge of the box:
    Shorten the message, reduce the font size, or increase the overlay width / height in RaceLab or in the Browser Source settings.
  • Text is hard to read over the game:
    Add a darker background behind the text, increase contrast, or move the overlay to a less busy area of the screen.
  • Changes are not appearing in OBS:
    Confirm you are editing the same layout that the browser source is using. If needed, refresh the Browser Source in OBS or briefly toggle its visibility off/on.
  • Overlay covers important HUD elements:
    Resize the panel smaller, move it to the top/bottom edges, or use a separate “info” scene instead of overlaying it on the main driving view.

This page was created by a RaceLab community member Scottozy, based on personal experience using RaceLab overlays together with publicly available documentation and community feedback. It is an unofficial help page and is not an official RaceLab publication.

Sources & references

  • RaceLab – information about generic text / info overlays for stream layouts.
  • RaceLab community examples of using simple text overlays for rules, announcements and BRB screens.
  • Practical testing by sim-racers combining RaceLab Custom Text overlays with OBS / Streamlabs on multiple streaming platforms.