How to make a phone case insert
Choose a template that matches your phone, add a picture, print it at 100% (Actual size), cut along the outline, cut out the camera window and slide it behind a clear case with the picture facing out. It takes about five minutes and one sheet of paper.
What you need
- A clear phone case (any brand; soft TPU cases are easiest).
- A printer and paper: plain 80 to 100 gsm, or glossy photo paper for photos.
- Scissors. Small curved nail scissors or a craft knife help with the camera hole.
- A ruler, to check the print scale.
1. Get a template the right size
Open the insert maker and type your phone model. Each template uses the phone’s real dimensions, so the insert matches the case window. For an unusual case, measure the inside of the case in millimetres and use a custom size.
2. Add your picture
Pick one of the free designs, upload a photo, or search free stock photos. Drag the picture to place it and scroll to zoom. The camera window is shown as you work, so you can keep faces out of it. Add text, stickers or a drawing if you like.
3. Print at 100%
Download the PDF and print it at 100% / Actual size. Before you cut, measure the 5 cm ruler at the bottom of the sheet. If it is shorter, your printer scaled the page; see the printer scale test.
4. Cut the outline and the camera hole
Cut along the orange dashed line, staying just inside it. Then cut the camera window:
Cut along the orange dashed line. Stay just inside it so the insert slides in easily.
Bend the top of the insert gently so the fold runs through the X in the camera window. Don’t crease it across your picture.
Make one small snip into the fold, unfold, then cut around the dotted window. Curved nail scissors make round corners easy.
Picture facing out. If it bends, trim half a millimetre off the long sides. A hole punch also works for small round lenses.
More detail, including phones with separate lenses or a camera bar: how to cut the camera hole.
5. Slide it in
Put the insert in the case with the picture facing out, line up the camera window, then press the phone in. If the paper bends or bulges, trim half a millimetre off the long sides, or print again with Fit: 1 mm smaller.
Common problems
The insert is too small
The printer scaled the page down. Print again at 100% (Actual size) and check the 5 cm ruler.
The insert is too big or bends
Your case window is a little smaller than the phone. Choose Fit: 1 mm smaller (or 2 mm for thick cases) in the print step.
The colours look dull
Use glossy photo paper and the photo quality setting on an inkjet printer. Laser printers on plain paper give flatter colours.