How To Make Phone Cases: commence Your Business Now (2024)

This navigator answers ordinary questions about starting a phone case business, including how to source different types of cases and discover the best places to sell them.

Is a phone case business profitable?

A phone case business is a profitable way to make money online. With a 3.3% compound annual growth rate, phone cases seemingly never leave out of style. By 2029, the mobile phone cases trade size is expected to reach $13.6 billion.

Phone cases are also straightforward products to manage, adding to their profitability. They’re typically tough and challenging to shatter, meaning less stockroom and shipping damages. They’re also tiny and lightweight, so your boost spread won’t be compromised by high shipping rates. Phone cases can also be dropshipped for an inventory-free operating schedule.

Things to consider before starting a phone case business

Before you commence creating your own phone cases, there are a few things you’ll require to recognize—including the most popular categories of phone cases.

Types of phone cases

Some phone cases are designed for functionality, while others prioritize visual appeal. Consider selling these ordinary types of cases:

Slim and gel cases

Slim cases don’t compromise the mind-blowing dimensions of today’s smartphones. While offering minimal protection against cracks and scuffs, they do provide additional grip through a flexible, rubbery silicone gel material. Slim cases also provide consumers a low-expense way to personalize their devices with eye-catching designs and colors.

These are some of the cheapest cases you design and sell, making them a excellent candidate for print on demand.

Bumper cases

Unlike slim phone cases, bumper cases cover only the sides or border of a phone. They may also contain an additional piece to protect the back from scratches. Bumper cases tend to be made from harder, more shock-resistant materials to protect phones from dings and drops.

Folio or wallet cases

Folio cases have a folding cover that encloses the front of a phone to protect the screen from dust and scratches, giving the phone the appearance of a tiny notebook.

Some folio cases have wallet-like features, such as the ability to store liquid assets or financing cards, while others can be turned into a stand to prop up a phone for straightforward viewing.

You’ll typically discover these cases in leather-like materials. Folios usually expense more than slim and bumper cases, but also appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Tough cases

Many consumers view phone cases as less an aesthetic selection and more a practical way to protect their device from everyday risks. Tough cases are bulkier and weigh more than other designs, thanks to protective features like shock absorbers and durable plastics.

Shoppers looking for tough phone cases are likely to be interested in a product’s construction and durability claims, so bear this in mind when writing your product descriptions. Information about drop tests, water resistance, and brand credibility may enhance customer confidence.

Battery cases

Battery life remains a customer bugbear in the smartphone trade. While more expensive than other phone cases, battery cases propose a answer to this ordinary issue, allowing users to double or triple usage period between charges.

Since these cases not only protect your phone but provide some extra expense, battery cases are an especially excellent marketing prospect for any models where battery life is a commonly cited complaint.

Silicone cases

Silicone is another inexpensive material to consider when selling phone cases online. Silicone cases are soft and durable, and also work well in high temperatures. You can often source silicone cases from dropshipping suppliers for as little as $2 per case.

Devices

Setting up a phone case business requires focusing not only on the types of cases you desire to sell, but also the kinds of phones and models you desire to back.

Device back is an integral marketing selection, which should be based on an in-depth review of current trade trends. This procedure gives you an chance to dig into niches that emerge around specific phone models.

The aim here is to identify demand for particular types of cases for sure models. You may also spot underserved smartphone types, giving you an chance to capture a niche.

Some devices you may desire to consider before you design custom phone cases include:

iPhone models

• iPhone 8
• iPhone X
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 min
• iPhone 13 SE
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Plus

Samsung Galaxy models

• Galaxy S
• Galaxy A
• Galaxy F
• Galaxy M
• Galaxy Z

Xiaomi models

• Mi 9
• Mi 10
• Mi 11
• Xiaomi 11
• Xiaomi 12

To identify profitable devices, commence with basic keyword research using tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or KWFinder to assess search volume for cases for specific types of phones.

If you schedule on using Google Ads to sell your products, this step is essential for identifying the best search results pages to appear on.

How to commence your own phone case business

The top phone case businesses didn’t become successful overnight. These brands pursue a roadmap and aim for sustainable growth.

Use this step-by-step navigator to structure your operating schedule and make your phone case business:

1. Identify a require in the trade
2. Develop a roadmap
3. Identify a target trade
4. commence designing
5. Source phone cases
6. Choose a brand name and logo
7. Choose a worth point
8. make your online store
9. trade your business

1. Identify a require in the trade

Many businesses discover achievement by becoming a chief in a particular part of their industry. As you construct your phone case brand, consider whether to target sure consumers. For example, could you specialize in cases for outdoor adventures? Or graphic cases designed by independent artists?

When starting his phone case business, Andrew Moore of Felony Case identified a niche in the iPhone trade. He saw a gap between the basic cases you could discover at dollar stores and mall kiosks and the expensive, protective cases produced by official Apple partners.

To capitalize on the trade gap, Felony Cases marketed its products toward “more fashion-forward people looking for something distinctive.” Andrew concentrated efforts on producing fashionable cases that also offered drop protection.

2. Develop a roadmap

A roadmap guides your entire trip when you make your own phone case business. It can assist explain your way, identify roadblocks, forecast resources, and assess business ideas before you launch.

Developing a roadmap will also ensure you set goals. Do you desire to become a household name that’s carried by multiple retailers, or a additional expense brand found in boutique shops? Will you commence an online store and sell directly to your customers?

Identify your business goals and keep them in mind as you construct out your phone case brand.

3. Identify a target spectators

Designing phone cases is of little use if your product doesn’t appeal to your target trade. Useful data points to comprehend more about your customers include:

• Age range
• Occupation
• Spending patterns
• earnings
• Lifestyle
• Habits and routines

To collect this information, recent businesses often head to social media, using tools like Facebook spectators Insights. Other information sources include customer surveys and an email list of relevant contacts.

Consider the pros and cons of targeting sure demographics. For example, youthful people tend to be more receptive to viral marketing and word of mouth, but they also have limited funds. Middle-aged buyers may be able to afford more expensive phone cases, but may be less pattern-conscious.

4. commence designing

Your phone case designs are your biggest differentiator when selling custom phone cases online. It’s also where you can let your innovation shine. The first batch you release to the community will act as an introduction to your brand, so make sure you craft something awesome to put your stake in the ground.

There are two ways to leave about designing phone cases:

Work with designers and artists

Communities like Dribbble are great places to shop for designers based on the aesthetic you’re looking for. Or, if you’re looking for expense-effective designs, discover low-rate freelancers on marketplaces like Fiverr. Try to associate with designers who can produce distinctive, original visuals to assist set your phone cases apart.

Design your own phone cases

Using design software or print-on-demand apps, you can make your own phone case mock-ups. These tools let you apply distinctive images, patterns, and fonts, as well as showcase your brand and logo.

Be aware that not all phone case suppliers will print on the sides of the case. Many will only print on the back, so make sure you pay attention to that during the design phase and when looking for a supplier.

Try to develop multiple designs, so you’re not dependent on one concept. Request feedback as early as you can in the following ways:

• Post your designs on TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest to gauge earnings.
• inquire friends and household for input.
• Post your designs in relevant Subreddits (e.g., r/pugs if you’re selling cases for dog owners).

5. Source phone cases

With designs finalized, it’s period to bring your custom phone cases to life. Unless you’re willing to invest in printing equipment, you have three options when it comes to getting your phone cases made.

discover a manufacturer

Finding a manufacturer to make your phone cases can maximize profits. Alibaba offers a directory of manufacturers in China who make a variety of high-standard phone case types, including slim, folio, and battery.

While you’ll have to buy in bulk with a minimum order amount, you’ll have the potential to propose better prices and make more from each sale.

You can also associate with a domestic manufacturer to appeal to consumers interested in supporting local businesses. Either way, be sure to order a sample first before committing to a bulk order.

Since inventory won’t receive up much room, if you’re confident about your phone cases, you can invest in an offline sales presence by setting up a cart or kiosk in a high-traffic area like a mall.

Use a print-on-demand service 

Printful and Printify are two of many services that let you print phone cases on demand. While selling on demand will reduce your margins, it also removes shipping and fulfillment responsibilities, so you don’t require to keep cases on hand.

If you’re selling phone cases in a Shopify store, print-on-demand apps can integrate with your online storefront, so all you require to worry about is making sales.

Validating designs can be tricky. Another advantage of the print-on-demand model is the ability to test ideas without needing to invest in ownership.

Dropship phone cases

Instead of making your own custom phone cases, you could choose to dropship existing products from a supplier that handles order fulfillment. Dropshipping is straightforward when using an app like DSers to import phone cases from Aliexpress into your Shopify store.

Free Webinar:

How to quickly commence a profitable print-on-demand store

In our free 40-minute video workshop, we’ll receive you from product concept to setting up an online store to getting your first print-on-demand sale.

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6. Choose a brand name and logo

Defining your business’s community persona starts with selecting a business name and logo. 

You can use a free design tool like the Shopify logo maker to assist craft a logo and construct your brand. respond a few questions about your business and the logo maker will propose dozens of templates. Download visual assets for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to make a consistent identity across all channels.

Customers can be receptive to brands with a excellent narrative, so try weaving a narrative into your brand name, logo, and website. If you’re manufacturing phone cases, you’ll desire to have this information ready before the first batch is finished. Then you can commence selling your cases correct away.

7. Choose a worth point

Pricing your phone cases is one of the keystone decisions you require to make. It impacts nearly every area of your business, from liquid assets flow to boost margins, to deciding what costs you can afford.

Choose a worth point that covers your manufacturing costs but doesn’t deter customers. recall, you desire to aim for boost margins that you can comfortably scale if your designs receive off.

8. make your online store

Building a store provides an alternative or complementary sales channel to selling your products on online selling sites. Running your own store will also assist maintain control of your brand. 

Andrew built Felony Case by focusing first on the brand’s website, then moving to online marketplaces. 

“Our website and retailers have been the two biggest sources of traffic and sales. … [Customers] desire to discover your website directly just to validate the brand,” says Andrew.

Shoppers will probably check social media profiles like Instagram and Facebook to view if you’re energetic there too. 

“I ponder all these touchpoints work hand-in-hand and provide your brand that packed 360 view online,” Andrew says. 

9. trade your business

Now that you’ve figured out your trade, your product, and your supply chain, it’s period to promote your phone cases on as many marketing channels as feasible.

As far as marketing goes, try the following channels and tactics:

Search engine marketing

Search engine marketing helps you reach people who are searching for phone cases for particular smartphones. The buying intention behind these searches means you’ll get the most relevant clicks through to your products and the phones you back. You can achieve this organically through SEO or by paying to promote through Google Ads.

Facebook advertising

If you’re targeting a specific earnings throng with your designs, Facebook ads can assist you trade to people who fit a sure profile.

Instagram marketing

Instagram is a highly visual platform, perfect for showing off your designs, with the alternative for paid advertising as well.

Influencer marketing

Partnering with YouTubers, Instagrammers, and TikTokers lets you harness their influence and audiences to get your phone cases in front of more people.

Word of mouth

While posting on social media and working with influencers can get you far, don’t overlook word of mouth. If your customers adore your phone cases, that’s a huge chance for some extra marketing juice. inquire your customers to leave a review so you can use testimonials in your marketing (with permission, of course).

Launching your phone case enterprise

Like any other competitive trade, thriving in the phone case industry requires an ability to reach customers in profitable niches. Get your marketing correct, figure out winning designs, and discover as much as you can about your customers, and what starts as a lucrative side hustle may quickly develop into a packed-period business.

Illustration by Rachel Tunstall.