Custom Phone Case Pricing: Sublimation, UV and Vinyl Cases
How to price custom phone cases: blanks, sublimation, UV printing or vinyl, time and packaging, with three worked examples.
In this guide
Custom phone cases are popular gifts, but there are many phone models to stock. Sublimation, UV printing and vinyl all work. This guide shows how to price phone cases and handle model inventory.
- Case price = blank + printing + press time + packaging + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A sublimated case costs about $11.99 to make and sells for about $18.
- Stock popular models only, and order others as needed.
- Bad prints and wrong models cost money. Add a small waste allowance.
Why phone cases need careful pricing
Blanks vary by phone model and quality. Tough cases cost more.
Wrong model orders and misprints add hidden cost.
The steps
1. Price the blank
Case and insert.
2. Add printing
Sublimation paper and ink, UV ink, or vinyl.
3. Add time
Design, pressing and quality check.
4. Add packaging and waste
Box plus about 5% waste.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: three case styles
$20 an hour, 10% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| Sublimated insert case | UV printed case | Vinyl decal case | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case blank | $4.50 | $5.00 | $3.50 |
| Printing or vinyl | $0.60 | $0.90 | $0.50 |
| Packaging and waste | $0.80 | $0.80 | $0.70 |
| Labor at $20.00/hr | 0.25 hr = $5.00 | 0.2 hr = $4.00 | 0.3 hr = $6.00 |
| Overhead (10%) | $1.09 | $1.07 | $1.07 |
| Cost to make | $11.99 | $11.77 | $11.77 |
| Plus 30% profit | $15.59 | $15.30 | $15.30 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $17.32 | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Suggested price | $18 | $18 | $18 |
Photo cases with personalization can carry a higher price.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Stocking every model. Stock the most popular models only.
- No model check. Confirm the phone model before printing.
- Cheap blanks. Thin cases crack and bring returns.
- No waste allowance. Misprints happen.
What you keep on each sales channel
The same sublimated phone case at $18.00 leaves different money in your pocket depending on where it sells. This uses the $11.99 cost to make from the example above, with Etsy's current transaction, processing and listing fees and Square's in-person card rate. Shipping, sales tax and ads are left out.
| Where it sells | Buyer pays | Fees | You keep | Profit over cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy (6.5% + 3% + $0.25 + $0.20 listing) | $18.00 | $2.16 | $15.84 | $3.85 |
| Your own website (about 2.9% + $0.30) | $18.00 | $0.82 | $17.18 | $5.19 |
| Craft fair, card reader (2.6% + $0.15) | $18.00 | $0.62 | $17.38 | $5.39 |
| Craft fair, cash | $18.00 | $0.00 | $18.00 | $6.01 |
| Wholesale to a shop (50% of retail) | $9.00 | $0.00 | $9.00 | -$2.99 |
On Etsy, fees take about 12% of a $18.00 sale. The fixed $0.45 per order hits small items hardest, so bundles and multi-packs keep more of each sale. If a sale comes through Etsy Offsite Ads, add another 15% (12% for shops over $10,000 a year), so build that into your price if you're enrolled. Wholesale at half of retail loses $2.99 per piece here. Either raise retail, lower your cost, or set a separate wholesale price with a case minimum.
Phone case checklist
- Blank cost.
- Printing cost.
- Time.
- Packaging.
- Waste allowance.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
Price small sublimation items
Type your blanks, prints and time into the peach cells. The calculator shows cost and price.
Get the Small Items Batch CalculatorCalculators that help
- Sublimation: Price sublimated items. Use the Sublimation Multi-Product Pricing Calculator – 8 Products Side by Side, Profit per Hour.
- UV print jobs: Price UV printing. Use the UV Print Job Pricing Calculator – Ink, White & Varnish, Printer Time, Retail & Wholesale.
- Waste: Cost misprints. Use the Waste, Defect & Yield Cost Calculator – True Cost per Good Item & Waste per Year.
- Print cost: Find print cost. Use the Sublimation Print Cost Calculator – Sheets: Ink, Paper & Cost per Design.
Common questions
How much should I charge for a custom phone case?
Many sell for about $15 to $35. In this guide a sublimated case prices at about $18.
What method is best?
Sublimation is popular for full color. UV printing works on many surfaces.
How do I handle many phone models?
Stock popular models and order others on demand.
Do I need a waste allowance?
Yes, about 5% is a good start.
Should I offer photo cases?
Yes, personalization sells.
How long does sublimation take?
Often a few minutes in a press.
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