
If a masterfully-crafted animated vtuber model is the dream, a PNGtuber avatar is the first step toward making it a reality.
With Ironmouse’s record-breaking subathon and Hololive’s global concerts, vtubers have established themselves in the cultural zeitgeist. While still a relatively young industry, many aspiring streamers have chosen to become vtubers. The appeal of anonymity paired with playing a fun, fictional anime character can’t be understated. Even so, it’s far from a cakewalk. Becoming a vtuber is an involved and surprisingly expensive affair. The average Live2D vtuber model, with full rigging, could set someone back at least $1,000 at the entry level.
Thankfully, those starting out don’t have to shell out the big bucks. Instead, they can opt to become a PNGtuber.
PNGtubers are vtubers who use simple, static images to represent their fictional persona.
Instead of a fully rigged model, PNGtubers use static images of their avatar to represent themselves on stream. Many vtubers, especially early in their career, start out as PNGtubers. However, some PNGtubers have established careers with just a PNG, never moving on to a fully-fledged animated model.
For example, Uwoslab, a variety streamer focused on making wacky inventions, uses an emotive PNG of their mad scientist OC for streams. Given the physical activity of what they do on stream, the PNGtuber is actually more practical than a traditional Live2D rig. Whether starting out or a long-time commitment, becoming a PNGtuber is still an involved process
Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to become a PNGtuber in 2024.
The first step of any vtuber design is conceptualizing an avatar. Streamers should think of a design that perfectly represents their streaming style and personality. Avoid chasing trends if they won’t fit the vibe of the channel, but look at other PNGtubers for inspiration.
Popular concepts typically include anime girls, cute animals, and illustrated versions of the streamers themselves. However, some stranger concepts include a png of the actual streamers themselves and meme characters. Regardless of what a streamer lands on, it’s important that they are committed to the character’s design.
Once conceptualized, it’s time to start drawing the avatar. For artists, that means utilizing vtuber-friendly drawing software such as Clip Studio Paint. Ensure parts like the hands, arms, and face are on separate layers. That makes adding different emotions and poses for the avatar easier. Alternatively, sites like picrew.me and charat.me provide templates for basic anime characters. Make sure the templates are approved for commercial use if the plan is to make monetized content.
Alternatively, for those who don’t trust their art skills or simply want a professional, there are a plethora of independent artists to commission from. The best place to find and screen potential commissions is on Twitter. Opt for artists with a proven history of successful commissions.
While PNGtubers don’t necessarily need a webcam like Live2D users, it’s still good to have the option later down the line. Even PNGtubers can capture expressions and change accordingly, with the right rigging. However, a good microphone is non-negotiable. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of entry-level streamer mics on the market.
The Blue Snowball Ice, Razer Seiren Mini, and Samson Q2U are fantastic budget options for a first-time streamer. In addition, make sure to have a streaming setup in a properly sound-treated room. That means carpets, foamed-up walls, and far from outside noises.
Once the avatar is drawn, along with any desired emotions and poses, it’s time to start rigging. Although PNGtubers require a lot less animation and complexity than a Live2D model, it’s still important to inject life into it. Whether that’s bouncing up and down, brightening up when talking, or even changing expressions with a toggle.
Software like Pyngtuber on itch.io and PngTuber Maker on Steam are free and highly customizable. The interfaces are intuitive and easy to use. Plus, the developers still actively support the software, meaning users can just ask for advice from them or the community. There is a bounty of in-depth resources on YouTube for how to use PNGtuber software.
After the initial rig is done, start testing out the avatar in real time. PNGtubers may get more scrutiny than most on a technical level, so it’s important to minimize any “uncanny valley” effects or glitches. The speaking part is particularly crucial, as it livens up the static image.
Other tests include how the avatar looks in “motion”, whether it changes expressions on time, and if it fits well against a gaming background. Doing these tests before streaming will save a lot of headaches later down the road.
OBS Studio is the industry standard for streamers, and it is thankfully easy to set up with a PNGtuber avatar. Find the sources section and add game capture as a new source. Under the mode section, click on capture specific window and select the PNGtuber software.
Set the background to transparent if the avatar has no unique background. From there, the streamer can resize and position the avatar wherever they wish, though the standard should be somewhere in the bottom right corner.
With an avatar all done, it’s time to start promoting a new avatar. Most vtubers prefer to keep their IRL selves separate from their avatars. Set up an email specifically for the PNGtuber persona and create social media accounts for them.
From there, streamers can start promoting themselves through subreddits like r/VirtualYouTubers, chat with other vtubers on X, or look for Discord servers that allow self-promotion. These will be among the streamer’s first viewers on their vtuber journey.
Afterward, all that’s left to do is to start streaming. Aspiring streamers shouldn’t lose hope if they only get a handful of viewers, or none at all, on the first stream. No streamer, especially those just breaking into the scene, will boast a hundred viewers on their debut. After all, even Tokino Sora of Hololive famously began her career with only 13 viewers.
While streaming, avoid looking at the numbers or paying too much attention to an empty chat. If someone talks, it will be obvious enough. Just let the persona’s personality shine through and add a touch of exaggeration, but nothing too far from the truth.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.