Custom Phone Cases for Brands and Teams: What Prints Best

Custom phone cases with your logo look best when the art is designed around the camera cutout, printed with a white base on dark or clear cases, and finished with a texture or spot gloss that makes the logo feel premium. At Arnold Prints in Westlake, Florida, we UV print full color designs directly onto phone cases in house, with no minimum. That means a brand can order a few cases for the leadership team or a full run for a team store, and every case can carry a different name if you want it to.

Phone cases are one of the most personal branded items there is. People look at them dozens of times a day, and they show up in every meeting, every selfie and every group photo. Here is what prints best, what to avoid, and how to plan an order.

How UV printing works on a phone case

The case sits flat on the bed of our xTool O1 Omni Dual-Head UV printer. The printer jets ink directly onto the back of the case and cures it instantly with UV light. On colored or clear cases, white ink goes down first in the shape of the artwork so colors stay bright. Then full color prints on top at up to 720 x 1440 dpi. Clear coat can add gloss, matte, spot gloss or raised texture as a final layer.

Because there are no screens or plates, the setup is the same for one case or many. The per piece price drops as quantity goes up.

Which cases print best

Hard plastic cases

Rigid polycarbonate cases are the easiest to print and give the sharpest results. The flat back provides a clean print surface, and rigid white ink bonds well.

Clear cases

Clear cases are popular because the phone's color shows through. We can print a logo with white behind it so it stays solid, or leave parts of the design without white for a tinted, see through effect. Ask us to show both on the proof.

Two piece and hybrid cases

Many protective cases have a hard back over a soft inner layer. These usually print well on the hard back. Send us the exact model and we will confirm.

Soft and flexible cases

Soft cases flex, so the print needs to flex too. Our flexible white ink handles softer materials better than rigid white, though very soft silicone is less predictable. We test before committing to a run.

Leatherette cases

Leather look cases print beautifully in full color with flexible white underneath, which gives a refined look for corporate gifts.

See current case styles on our custom phone cases page.

Designing around the camera

The camera cutout is the biggest design constraint. Modern phones have large camera bumps in the upper corner, and they change from model to model.

• Center the logo lower. Placing the logo in the middle or lower half of the case keeps it clear of the camera on most models.
• Use patterns for full coverage. An edge to edge pattern or texture looks intentional around any cutout.
• Get a template per model. If your order covers several phone models, we send a template for each so the layout adapts to every cutout.

What prints best

1. Bold logos and wordmarks. Clean shapes look crisp and read from across a table.
2. Patterns and brand textures. Repeating logos, brand patterns and gradients look great edge to edge.
3. Photos. High resolution photos reproduce well, especially for team and family designs.
4. Tone on tone designs. A black logo in spot gloss on a matte black case is subtle and very sharp.
5. Raised logos. A bit of raised clear coat on the logo gives a tactile, embossed feel.

What to avoid

• Tiny text near the edges. Case backs curve near the sides, and small text there can distort. Keep text in the flat center area.
• Low resolution logos. A logo pulled from a website looks soft at print size. Send vector files (AI, EPS, PDF or SVG) when possible.
• Thin hairlines on clear cases without white. They can almost disappear. Add white behind thin details.
• Very tall texture. Raised texture is great in moderation. Too much height can feel bulky in a pocket.

Our guide to preparing artwork for UV printing covers white ink and file setup in detail.

Ideas for brands

• Leadership and sales team gifts. Matte cases with a spot gloss logo and each person's name.
• Employee welcome kits. A branded case with a matching keychain.
• Client appreciation. Co-branded cases for key accounts.
• Retail merchandise. Boutiques and influencers selling small batches of multiple designs.

Ideas for teams and schools

• Player cases. Team crest, name and number on each case. Personalization does not add setup.
• Senior and graduation cases. Class year designs and photos.
• Booster and fundraiser items. Team pattern cases sold alongside spirit wear.
• Coach gifts. End of season cases with a team photo.

For more product ideas that pair well with cases, browse the UV promo products buyer's guide.

Ordering for multiple phone models

The trickiest part of a team or company order is that everyone has a different phone. The simplest way to handle it:

1. Collect each person's exact phone model in a spreadsheet, along with name and any personalization.
2. Choose one or two case styles to keep the look consistent.
3. Let us adapt the design for each model's camera layout.
4. Approve a proof showing each model.

You can also send us your own cases if you have a specific brand in mind. Tell us the model first so we can confirm it prints well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum order for custom phone cases?

There is no minimum. UV printing needs no screens or plates, so a single case or a large order are both fine. The per piece price drops as quantity goes up.

Can each case have a different name or design?

Yes. Names, numbers and full designs can change from case to case in the same order without extra setup.

Can you print on clear phone cases?

Yes. We print with a white base behind the art so it stays solid, or without white for a see through effect.

Which phone models do you print for?

We print cases for many popular models. Send us the list of models you need and we will confirm availability and send templates.

Will the print scratch off?

UV ink cures instantly and bonds to the case, and it holds up well to everyday use. Matte and clear coat finishes add an extra protective layer.

Order custom phone cases

Send us your logo, the phone models you need, quantities and your date. We will send templates, a proof and a quote. Request a quote, call 561-323-7573 or email sales@arnoldprints.com. Arnold Prints has 14+ years of experience and prints UV in house in Westlake, FL. Standard turnaround is 7 business days after you approve your proof. Rush is often available: call to confirm. Learn more on our UV printing page.