Overlays let you add custom design elements, like decorative borders or logos, on top of your photos. This guide explains the difference between overlays and logos in HALO 4.x, and walks you through designing and uploading your own overlay.

Using HALO 5.0? HALO 5.0 doesn't have a separate overlay setting. You can import the same kinds of design files, but you add them as layers in the Layout Designer. See Creating Layouts.

Logos are added next to the frames in your layout. When you upload a logo, extra space is added to the layout to fit it, so logos never cover any part of the photo.

Overlays sit on top of your layout, directly over the frames. Your overlay file needs to already have its graphic elements positioned exactly where you want them.

Files designed as logos won't look right when uploaded as overlays. They'll sit in the center of the layout and cover part of the photo.

Finalize your overlay design before you upload it. You can't move or adjust elements after the file is uploaded. It helps to think of the overlay as one finished sticker that covers the whole layout.

Overlays don't stretch or scale to fit your layout, so design your overlay at the correct size from the start. A landscape overlay should match a landscape layout, and a portrait overlay should match a portrait layout.

Most design programs ask you to choose a size before you begin. The right size depends on your iPad orientation and layout settings, including:

The in-app Design Panel shows the exact recommended size for your setup. For general sizing guidelines, see the HALO Graphic Design Guide.

Overlays sit on top of your photos like a watermark, so most of the file should be transparent to let the photo show through. Only the graphic elements, like borders or text, should be visible.

Some graphics programs ask you to choose a transparent background when you start a new file. Others let you add transparency later. If you're new to design, the easiest approach is to start with a blank transparent canvas, then import your logo or add elements like text and stickers.

For beginner-friendly design tools, see Graphics Editing Program Recommendations.

Export your overlay as a PNG with transparency and save it to your iPad's Photos app. Then upload it in the in-app Design Panel. Overlays have a maximum file size of 8 MB.