Custom phone cases are easy to source and appeal to people looking to spruce up their device or add extra functionality to the one gadget no one can live without.
Building a business around making and selling phone cases comes with a variety of benefits. It’s easy to hold inventory and ship cases due to their small size. They’re also relatively low-cost to produce using methods such as print on demand.
And, with an average smartphone lifespan of around two-and-a-half years, every model launch offers a new sales opportunity.
This guide answers common questions about starting a phone case business, including how to source different types of cases and find 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 go out of style. By 2029, the mobile phone cases market size is expected to reach $13.6 billion.
Phone cases are also easy products to manage, adding to their profitability. They’re typically tough and hard to break, meaning less stockroom and shipping damages. They’re also small and lightweight, so your profit margin won’t be compromised by high shipping rates. Phone cases can also be dropshipped for an inventory-free business model.
Things to consider before starting a phone case business
Before you start creating your own phone cases, there are a few things you’ll need to know—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 common 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 give consumers a low-cost 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 good 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 small notebook.
Some folio cases have wallet-like features, such as the ability to store cash or credit cards, while others can be turned into a stand to prop up a phone for easy viewing.
You’ll typically find these cases in leather-like materials. Folios usually cost 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 choice 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 improve customer confidence.
Battery cases
Battery life remains a consumer bugbear in the smartphone market. While more expensive than other phone cases, battery cases offer a solution to this common issue, allowing users to double or triple usage time between charges.
Since these cases not only protect your phone but provide some extra charge, battery cases are an especially good 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 want to sell, but also the kinds of phones and models you want to support.
Device support is an integral marketing decision, which should be based on an in-depth review of current market trends. This process gives you an opportunity to dig into niches that emerge around specific phone models.
The aim here is to identify demand for particular types of cases for certain models. You may also spot underserved smartphone types, giving you an opportunity to capture a niche.
Some devices you may want 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, start 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 plan on using Google Ads to sell your products, this step is essential for identifying the best search results pages to appear on.
How to start your own phone case business
The top phone case businesses didn’t become successful overnight. These brands follow a business plan and aim for sustainable growth.
Use this step-by-step guide to structure your business model and create your phone case business:
- Identify a need in the market
- Develop a business plan
- Identify a target market
- Start designing
- Source phone cases
- Choose a brand name and logo
- Choose a price point
- Create your online store
- Market your business
1. Identify a need in the market
Many businesses find success by becoming a leader in a particular part of their industry. As you build your phone case brand, consider whether to target certain 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 market. He saw a gap between the basic cases you could find at dollar stores and mall kiosks and the expensive, protective cases produced by official Apple partners.
To capitalize on the market gap, Felony Cases marketed its products toward “more fashion-forward people looking for something unique.” Andrew focused efforts on producing fashionable cases that also offered drop protection.
2. Develop a business plan
A business plan guides your entire journey when you create your own phone case business. It can help clarify your strategy, identify roadblocks, predict resources, and assess business ideas before you launch.
Developing a business plan will also ensure you set goals. Do you want to become a household name that’s carried by multiple retailers, or a premium brand found in boutique shops? Will you start an online store and sell directly to your customers?
Identify your business goals and keep them in mind as you build out your phone case brand.
3. Identify a target audience
Designing phone cases is of little use if your product doesn’t appeal to your target market. Useful data points to understand more about your customers include:
- Age range
- Occupation
- Spending patterns
- Interest
- Lifestyle
- Habits and routines
To collect this information, new businesses often head to social media, using tools like Facebook Audience Insights. Other information sources include customer surveys and an email list of relevant contacts.
Consider the pros and cons of targeting certain demographics. For example, young 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 trend-conscious.
4. Start designing
Your phone case designs are your biggest differentiator when selling custom phone cases online. It’s also where you can let your creativity shine. The first batch you release to the public 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 go 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 cost-effective designs, find low-rate freelancers on marketplaces like Fiverr. Try to partner with designers who can produce distinctive, original visuals to help set your phone cases apart.
Design your own phone cases
Using design software or print-on-demand apps, you can create your own phone case mock-ups. These tools let you apply unique 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 idea. Request feedback as early as you can in the following ways:
- Post your designs on TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest to gauge interest.
- Ask friends and family 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 time 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.
Find a manufacturer
Finding a manufacturer to create your phone cases can maximize profits. Alibaba offers a directory of manufacturers in China who make a variety of high-quality phone case types, including slim, folio, and battery.
While you’ll have to buy in bulk with a minimum order quantity, you’ll have the potential to offer better prices and make more from each sale.
You can also partner 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 take 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 need 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 need to worry about is making sales.
Validating designs can be tricky. Another benefit of the print-on-demand model is the ability to test ideas without needing to invest in stock.
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 start a profitable print-on-demand store
In our free 40-minute video workshop, we’ll take you from product idea to setting up an online store to getting your first print-on-demand sale.
6. Choose a brand name and logo
Defining your business’s public persona starts with selecting a business name and logo.
You can use a free design tool like the Shopify logo maker to help craft a logo and build your brand. Answer a few questions about your business and the logo maker will offer dozens of templates. Download visual assets for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to create a consistent identity across all channels.
Customers can be receptive to brands with a good story, so try weaving a narrative into your brand name, logo, and website. If you’re manufacturing phone cases, you’ll want to have this information ready before the first batch is finished. Then you can start selling your cases right away.
7. Choose a price point
Pricing your phone cases is one of the keystone decisions you need to make. It impacts nearly every area of your business, from cash flow to profit margins, to deciding what expenses you can afford.
Choose a price point that covers your manufacturing costs but doesn’t deter customers. Remember, you want to aim for profit margins that you can comfortably scale if your designs take off.
8. Create 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 help 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) want to find your website directly just to validate the brand,” says Andrew.
Shoppers will probably check social media profiles like Instagram and Facebook to see if you’re active there too.
“I think all these touchpoints work hand-in-hand and give your brand that full 360 view online,” Andrew says.
9. Market your business
Now that you’ve figured out your market, your product, and your supply chain, it’s time to promote your phone cases on as many marketing channels as possible.
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 support. You can achieve this organically through SEO or by paying to promote through Google Ads.
Facebook advertising
If you’re targeting a specific interest group with your designs, Facebook ads can help you market to people who fit a certain profile.
Instagram marketing
Instagram is a highly visual platform, perfect for showing off your designs, with the option 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 forget word of mouth. If your customers love your phone cases, that’s a huge opportunity for some extra marketing juice. Ask your customers to leave a review so you can use testimonials in your marketing (with permission, of course).
Launching your phone case startup
Like any other competitive market, thriving in the phone case industry requires an ability to reach customers in profitable niches. Get your marketing right, figure out winning designs, and learn as much as you can about your customers, and what starts as a lucrative side hustle may quickly grow into a full-time business.
Illustration by Rachel Tunstall.
Phone case business FAQ
How do I start a phone case business?
- Identify a market need.
- Create a business plan.
- Identify a target audience.
- Design your phone cases.
- Find a manufacturer.
- Choose a brand name and logo.
- Choose a price point.
- Create your ecommerce website.
- Market your business.
Are phone cases good for dropshipping?
Phone cases are an excellent dropshipping product because they are lightweight and easy to source. You can find hundreds of different models from suppliers like Alibaba or AliExpress, sell them in your online store, and never hold a single item in inventory.
How much does it cost to start a phone case business?T
Starting a phone case business is more an investment of time than money. You can start a free trial with Shopify and import phone cases for free from dropshipping suppliers. You only pay for items when customers order them.
