How to Make Custom Phone Cases to Sell
Phone cases are always in demand because everyone needs a phone. However, phone cases have become a form of personal expression more than just protection. Consumers now seek unique and appealing designs aligned with their styles. It is a great chance to sell custom phone case. If you’re new to selling custom phone cases and don’t know how to start, you’ve come to the right place.
This article provides a step-by-step guide for how to make custom phone cases to sell. It also contains some tips and strategy when you start print on demand phone case business. Promise that you will have a clear business map after you read this.
Page overview:
Is a Phone Case Business Profitable?
What Should You Consider before Selling Custom Phone Cases
How to Make Custom Phone Cases to Sell: 6 Steps to Make You Success
Collaborate with Phone Case Suppliers
Design Personalized Phone Cases
Establish an Online Store for Selling Custom Cases
Is a Phone Case Business Profitable?
Don’t underestimate it because it’s just a small phone case. It hides huge profits. The global phone case market is expected to be valued at USD 11.56 billion in 2024. It is projected to grow to USD 15.48 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% during this period.
Obviously, selling phone cases has great market potential and can bring out your creativity. However, if you have a low budget but still want to make a profit, print on demand is a good choice. You don’t need to buy stock in advance and try your design ideas with no risk.
Moreover, today’s customers pay a lot of attention to environmental protection when shopping. Consumers are increasingly willing to pay more for eco-friendly, custom products. Selling custom phone cases caters to this eco-friendly consciousness exactly. Products are made only when ordered, so there’s no excess inventory.
What Should You Consider before Selling Custom Phone Cases
Before getting started, there are a few essential factors to keep in mind to ensure your custom phone case business thrives.
Best-selling Phone Models
Although many phone brands release new models each year, some stand out in the market.
Popular models:
- iPhone: iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series
- Samsung: S20 series, S21 series, Galaxy S, Galaxy A, Galaxy F, Galaxy M, Galaxy Z
- Xiaomi: Mi 9, Mi 10, Mi 11, Xiaomi 11, Xiaomi 12
When selling custom phone cases, keep an eye on best-selling phone models. Popular models influence design choices. Make sure your cases appeal to a larger audience. Moreover, paying attention to trending phone models is crucial when selecting a print-on-demand supplier. Each manufacturer has specific molds for different brands and models.
Types of Phone Case
Before you start print on demand phone case business, you need to know some types of materials. Every customer have their favorite pick. Here are some of the most popular types to sell.
- Slim cases: It is ultra-thin, lightweight phone cases designed to add minimal bulk. They are often made from hard plastic or a mix of materials.
- Gel Cases: It use soft, flexible phone cases made from TPU or silicone. Gel cases are slightly grippy, making them comfortable to hold.
- Bumper cases: They typically have a hard or flexible frame around the sides of the phone. Bumper cases leave the back exposed or covered with a thin, transparent layer.
- Folio or wallet cases: Folio or wallet cases are phone cases that fold over the screen like a book, providing full coverage and extra functionality.
- Tough cases: It is heavy-duty phone cases designed for maximum protection against drops, shocks, and impacts.
- Silicone cases: Silicone cases are soft, flexible cases made from high-quality silicone rubber. They provide a smooth, grippy texture and a snug fit around the phone.
Phone Case Printing Method
Phone case printing methods produce different printing effects. Choosing a manufacturer that offers the right printing technique for your material and design is essential.
- Screen Printing: Uses a stencil and ink layers for bold, durable designs.
- Digital UV Printing: Directly prints vibrant, scratch-resistant designs with UV-cured ink.
- 2D Printing: Prints flat designs on the case’s surface.
- 3D Printing: Wraps designs around edges for full coverage.
- Sublimation Printing: Transfers designs using heat for long-lasting, vibrant prints.
- Water Transfer Printing: Uses a water-based film to apply patterns seamlessly.
- IMD/IML Printing: Embeds designs into the case for durability and scratch resistance.
How to Make Custom Phone Cases to Sell: 6 Steps to Make You Success
If you have no idea of how to start, here is a detailed guideline for beginners. If you are already a professional, I am sure that there must be something that will inspire your custom phone case business.
Conduct Market Analysis
Selling a phone case is more than just placing a design on a blank case and listing it for sale. You should set a target audience for your custom products. The criteria include age, gender, location, hobbies, and lifestyle, etc. For instance, some people prefer to buy design related to their loving songs or TV series; you can design some font-style image.
Researching marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy is crucial for understanding your target customers. Analyze what makes bestselling phone cases so popular and identify the types of customers who buy them most. Also, use keyword tools like Google Trends or eRank to find any niche gap worth diving in.
Make a Business Plan
A business plan helps you start business in an organized manner. When making a business plan, you should focus on every small detail. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you sell a custom phone case:
- How will you produce your phone cases—through a print-on-demand company or a local manufacturer?
- How often will you release new designs?
- How should you price your phone cases for your target audience?
- What marketing strategies will you use to promote your products?
Thinking through these aspects in advance allows you to make informed decisions and adjust your strategy as needed. There are many details to consider, so ensure you’ve carefully planned each step.
Collaborate with Phone Case Suppliers
A reliable phone case supplier is essential for the success of your custom phone case business. It also influences business models and costs.
Work with the manufacture
Usually, manufacturers require bulk orders, which means you will have a certain amount of inventory. Consider where to store your phone case, and it should be counted into your cost.
However, bulk orders often come with lower per-unit costs compared to print-on-demand services. You can set your own retail prices without being limited by high base costs from third-party platforms.
Ask about production times to avoid delays in fulfilling customer orders. Confirm their materials and printing method align with what you want. Ensure the manufacturer provides durable materials and precise case fitting for different phone models.
Find print on demand partner
Working with a print on demand company for custom phone cases allows you to print only when a customer places an order. This implies no upfront stock costs and no risk of unsold inventory piling up.
- Product Quality: A reliable supplier ensures durable phone cases with good heat dissipation, helping you earn positive reviews.
- Printing Effect: Choose a good supplier delivering vibrant, detailed prints that make your designs stand out.
- Phone case models: Investigate what phone case models they have in advance. Some print on demand suppliers have limited case model.
- Competitive Price: If the base price is too high, you’ll have limited room to make a profit.
- Shipping Speed: Customers now expect fast shipping. They may lose interest or cancel their orders if shipping takes too long.
Shipping location also plays a crucial role in delivery speed and costs, so partnering with a provider with global fulfillment like Inkedjoy. Inkedjoy is a totally free print-on-demand site right for your custom phone case business. Its custom phone cases have premium look and feel. Inkedjoy have sharp, vibrant, and long-lasting printing method. Additionally, its seamless integration with ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Woocommerce is essential for a smooth selling experience.
Design Personalized Phone Cases
When designing your own original phone case, creativity and uniqueness are the game-changers. You can find design inspiration from social media platforms like Pinterest or Instagram. Use some tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Procreate on iPad to create your original design.
However, you should keep your design size aligned with the phone case printing area to ensure perfectly final products. In the meantime, check your color accuracy. Some color looks good on the screen, but it is different after printing in the real situation. Before finalizing your draft, seek feedback from niche communities on Facebook groups or Reddit. This can help you better understand the preferences of your target audience.
If you’re not good at design, you can hire a professional on Dribble or Fiverr. Find someone who fits your style and helps you realize your creative idea.
Once your design is ready. Preview how your design looks on the phone case. Inkedjoy has easy-to-use mock-up tools to allow you to check the final product. It ensures everything aligns perfectly before launching it in your store. In Inkedjoy’s element library, there are various icon and design materials for free to use.
Pro Tip: Remember to order product samples to check quality and printing. You can assess the material, durability, and print clarity firsthand.
Establish an Online Store for Selling Custom Cases
Establishing an online store is essential for displaying your distinctive custom smartphone cases. Think about using one of these two highly effective methods.
Sell on ecommerce platform
Selling custom phone cases on ecommerce platforms like Etsy and Amazon attracts buyers without extensive marketing efforts. A large customer base and direct traffic increase the chances of your product getting noticed by potential buyers. They also have limitations, such as restricted store customization and transaction fees that can cut into profits.
Set up an online web presence
Setting up your own online website gives you complete control over branding. You can create a unique shopping experience tailored to your audience. However, running an independent store requires more effort to drive traffic.
Initiate Marketing Campaigns
Marketing your custom phone case business requires a mix of strategies.
- SEO: SEO helps improve search rankings, making it easier for potential buyers to find your designs.
- Social media platform: Engaging content, such as lifestyle shots and user-generated photos, can boost credibility and attract organic traffic.
- Email marketing: It keeps your audience informed about new designs, promotions, and exclusive offers.
- Influencer marketing: Collaborating with influencers who align with your brand. Their followers trust their recommendations.
If you think multiple channels distribute your energy, you can focus on one at the beginning.
How to Design a Phone Case
When you design a custom phone case, there are several key points. Usually, the simple is the best. Keep your design minimalist; it will be more attractive.
If you design a transparent case, the color of the phone itself will influence the final visual effects. Therefore, don’t forget to consider the color of the phone model. Choosing colors combined the phone itself can make your design stand out; even turning it into a key selling point.
Moreover, leveraging some color psychology knowledge can help you build a brand more catered to customer demand. The right colors can evoke emotions, influencing purchasing decisions.
However, even the most eye-catching design won’t translate into sales if customers can’t find their phone case models. Therefore, make sure your products own various phone case models. Make more people find suitable types on your store.
Sell Custom Phone Cases with Inkedjoy
Similar to any other competitive market, succeeding in the phone case industry demands the skill to connect with customers in lucrative niches. However, Inkedjoy is on your back. Inkedjoy offers a wide range of phone case models with great customer service and fast shipping.
With competitive price, Inkedjoy let you set attractive prices while still ensuring a healthy profit margin. Inkedjoy’s high-quality products and efficient fulfillment enable you to offer personalized, premium phone case that customers appreciate.
The available materials Inkedjoy have:
- Fiber Skin: iPhone 13-15 series
- PC: iPhone 13-15 series
- TPU: iPhone 13-16 series
- TPU+ leather: iPhone 13-16 series
- TPU + Glass: iPhone 13-15 series
- Fibrous skin: iPhone 16 series
- Class: iPhone 12 series
- Microfiber skin: iPhone 12 series
Inkedjoy’s cases feature precise cutouts, sensitive buttons, and strong protection to balance style and durability. It can definitely be an engine to fuel your custom phone case business.
Ready to turn your creativity into cash? Get started now!
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to start a phone case business?
Starting a phone case business cost $60 at least. Upper limit depends on your approach, including production, website/platform fees, shipping cost, marketing, and so on.
2. Are phone cases good for dropshipping?
Phone cases make a great dropshipping product since they’re lightweight and simple to source. With hundreds of models available from suppliers, you can list them in your online store and sell without ever stocking inventory.
3. What is the best material to make a phone case?
The ideal phone case material varies depending on your requirements. Silicone provides flexibility and grip, TPU offers durability and shock absorption, polycarbonate delivers strength, and leather adds a luxurious feel. Hybrid cases merge materials for enhanced protection. Select based on style, level of protection, and customer preferences to optimize sales.
