This post is about how to create your very own DIY phone case at home.

Hey friends! This post is going to be a full, step-by-step guide on to create your very own DIY collage-style phone case using a clear case and printed images.

This has become my new favorite hobby, and I also love that it’s a money saver too - instead of buying a brand new phone case, all I need is one clear case that I can use to switch out different “paper” cases (although I definitely still buy a cute case every now and then).

Plus, I’m including a free template/printable with all the elements I’m using to make the phone case in this tutorial in case you want to recreate this design at home. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Need

Clear phone case
Access to a printer and printer paper
Glue stick
Pencil
Scissors
Sturdy sheet of paper/craft paper (optional)
Basic design software (optional)

#1: Set Up Your Design Document

While it’s not essential, I highly suggest planning/designing your phone case digitally first using a program like Canva before you actually put it together. This way, you can make sure your design, sizing, and other details, are just right before printing. This will help save you printer ink by ensuring you don’t have to keep reprinting.

So to start, make a new document in your design program that matches the dimensions of your phone. For example, the dimensions of my iPhone 14 Plus are 6.33 x 3.07 inches, so my document should match that.

If you’re working in Canva, from your homepage go to create > custom size > input your dimensions > create new design. Then, you have your canvas!

Then, I’m going to make a square in the upper left corner of my canvas to represent the camera, and so I know where to avoid placing my design elements.

#2: Design Your Phone Case

So you have a few options here! One: design your own custom elements to add to your case. Two: use the elements I created using the free template and printable to get the same design I’m making in this tutorial. Three: find and download cute elements on Pinterest (or elsewhere) to use for your phone case.

Whichever method you choose, upload your images to Canva and then drag and drop your elements onto your canvas to create your design. To upload images, on the left hand side go to uploads > upload images > select your files from your computer.

I recommend not placing any elements too close to edge, and remember that your corners will end up being rounded. Also, don’t get too close to the area where the camera is.

#3: Get Your Design Print-Ready

Okay, so now that you’ve finalized your design, let’s get it ready to print. Make another document that matches your printer paper size (for most of you this will be the standard 8.5 x 11 inches).

Then, copy and paste the elements from your design into the new document and place them so nothing is overlapping. Make sure to leave a decent amount of space between each element so that when you print out this sheet, the elements are easy to cut out.

#4: Print Out Your Design

Export/download your sheet! To do this in Canva, in the upper right corner go to share > download > select PDF Print under “file type” > select either RGB or CYMK under color profile > download. I got better results/more saturated color when printing using the RGB option.

#5: Cut Out Your Elements And Fold Your Envelope

Next, grab some scissors and cut out all of your elements. While I’m on this step, I’m also going to fold the mini envelope template so it’s ready to glue with my other elements.

#6: Glue Your Elements Together

Glue together any elements that require it: the polaroid strip, heart magic eight ball, envelope/heart seal, and postcard.

#7: Trace Your Phone Case On Paper And Cut It Out

Place your clear case on top of the background design and use a pencil to trace around it as well as on the inside of the camera area. Then cut it out.

#8: Glue Your Paper Case On To Your Craft Paper And Cut It Out

For this step, I suggest using paper that’s thicker than your standard printer paper so you have a sturdy paper “base” for your phone case, but you can still do this just fine with printer paper!

Get your paper and your clear phone case. Then, place your case on top of the paper and glue it down. Then, cut out the case.

#9: Glue Your Elements On To Your Paper Case

This is my favorite part! Grab your cut out elements and a glue stick and glue them into your paper case the way you like. I like having my digital design next to me for reference.

#10: Put Your Paper Case In Your Clear Case

There’s something soooo satisfying about seeing it all come together. After you’re done gluing, place your paper inside your clear case, and then put it on your phone. Now you can brag to everyone you made your case yourself!