DIY · 4 min read
Putting A Photo On A Phone Case: How To Get A Print That Doesn't Look Cheap
Photo cases live or die by image quality and print method. Here's what to check before uploading.
Uploading a photo and getting it back on a case is the most popular form of 'custom' case. It also has the highest disappointment rate — usually because of the photo, not the case.
What makes a photo case look great
- At least 2000×2000px resolution — anything smaller pixelates at case size.
- Good light in the original photo — flat indoor lighting prints muddy.
- Subject centered or rule-of-thirds; the camera cutout sits where the back of the head usually is.
What ruins a photo case
- Screenshots from Instagram — already compressed, lose another 30% in printing.
- Photos with heavy filters — they print darker than they look on screen.
- Group photos — faces get cropped at the camera cutout almost every time.
The technique pros use
Crop the photo yourself before uploading. Place the subject just to one side of the camera cutout (usually upper-left for iPhone Pro models). Add a 10–15% margin on every edge — wrap-around printing trims a few millimeters.