By Alright, Phandroids. We’re nearing the weekend and I thought I’d turn you guys onto a fun, easy, and affordable DIY project to keep your favorite Android protected, and in style. Yes, I know. There are a million cases on the market, but if you really wanted to stand out from the crowd, you could always make your very own one-of-a-kind, custom comic book case featuring your favorite super hero.
A good friend of mine was nice enough to put together this custom Spider-Man case for me and now, I want to show you guys exactly how to do it. You ready to get your hands a little dirty? Alright — here’s exactly what you’re gonna need:
- Plastic smartphone case (preferably with printed design)
- Favorite comic book
- 1 bottle of Modge Podge (either gloss or matte finish)
- Paint brush
- Scissors
- 1 can of finishing spray (either gloss or matte)
- Smidgen of creativity
All the above items can easily be found at your local arts and crafts store with the exception of the plastic hard case for your Android device. I was lucky enough to find a place online that ships from China and sells in bulk, but you guys can find individual cases on eBay for around $3 a piece (just expect long shipping times).
One more thing: while this tutorial isn’t specifically for the Samsung Galaxy S3, it was for this specific kind of case. I can’t guarantee this will work with other cases, on other devices. The reason being these cases in particular only hold onto the sides of the phone, and even after wrapping the case in a thin layer of comic book paper and glue, they still held onto the device perfectly. Other types of hard cases on other phones may vary (although I’ve seen similar designs for many other phones). When choosing a case, it’s incredibly important to find one with print already on it (cassette tape, vintage camera, etc.). This is so that if you miss a few spots when applying the comic book clippings, it wont be noticeable.
Now that we got all that out of our way, we can start crafting. And don’t worry, you’ll get your masculinity back once you see the final results.
Prep Work
Find a totally badical comic book worthy of plastering all over your device. Spider-Man, X-Men vs Avengers, manga — whatever. Just try and be mindful of the overall color of the scenes featured in the comic. If you plan on making more than one custom case down the road, it can be fun to have a variety of cases featuring specific colors (like blues, blacks, or greens).
Cutting
Handpick a few good frames featuring a badass action scene and cut out entire frames. These will be used as the “background.” Next, cut out your favorite super hero (or villain) doing something awesome. Jumping, flying, kicking someone in the face — that sorta thing. After that, cut out a few action words like, “BAMF! OOMPH! THOCK!”
Glue
Apply a thin layer of Modge Podge over the spots where you’ll be laying down your hand picked frames. Place the frames on top, almost as if they’d appear in a comic book. This is going to be your background. Continue until the entire case is covered. You may have to cut out a few very small pieces to get full coverage. Let dry.
Next, apply another thin layer of Modge Podge over the pasted frames. Apply your comic book hero cutouts, title, action words. Apply another thin layer of Modge Podge over the top and let dry.
Matte or Gloss?
Lastly, apply the finishing spray. Matte if you want a more authentic comic book look, or gloss. Whichever tickles your fancy. Hopefully, you’re pleased with the end result. POW!
So, as you can see, there really isn’t too much to it. With a little bit of time, and some creativity, you too could have your very own custom comic book case. Now you, and your Android phone will be the hit of the party (or something like that). If making these cases isn’t really your thing, you can custom order them from Etsy for $20 each.
[via Etsy]
Chris,
where did you get an assistant like that, and she wears your name on top of that! I think I’m overdue for a secretary as well.. haha nice case, love spidey! Make 7 cases for each day? perhaps
Mail order bride. O_o
of course, how could I forget those! My job won’t allow mail orders, just a secretary that can make my superhero costume and custom case to match. Enjoy! haha :D
can you do thus directly on the housing instead of a case ?
Way too tricky. Would probably look messy and it would be super hard to remove once it dries. Using a case is a whole lot less permanent. lol
just ordered a few cases from amazon in case I mess up, going with green lantern lol
Totally. I would pick the 1st issue of New Guardians, the page with Fatality, awhooo!
You could do it directly on the back cover that removable.
So, I plan on getting a Nexus 4. If I buy it from you on Etsy, are you able to make a case for any phone with a hard case available?
I don’t make ’em. But my friend from the video will have to wait until some of the cases for the Nexus 4 are available. Right now it’s just Galaxy S3, but check her Etsy again later for Nexus 4 cases. :)
I think 7″ tablets would benefit greatly from this. You could slap like a cover page on it.
Yes! :D
im batman
I know people are probably thinking why didn’t I think of this before. Thanks a lot Chris! This is really creative. This can take of the issue I personally had against the iPhone. I thought they always had the best deals when it came to creative looking cases. Mainly because its such a simple design as far as shape. But you can find a hard case for any phone to make something like this. Printed would be the best like you said so it’ll blend if you miss a spot. Good little way to make a few bucks on the side as well. Androidandme & Phandroid are the best mobile blog sites. Oh, and the Verge.
Your comments in your videos are always funny to smh. “I’m making a video dad.”
the only reason i had already thought of this is because my wife loves to modpodge, but i havent tried yet. get i’m waiting to get a thin enough phone that a case wouldnt make it so bulky
My case has grippe things, do you think that would work on top of them? Also off topic but the Nexus 4’s cable-less charging will work though cases right?…
No… unless it’s insanely thin. so.. no. Sorry
Not likely. Charge, maybe. Stick to the touchstone via the magnet? Most likely no. =/
“I’m filming a video dad! … I’M FILMING A VIDEO!!!” hahahahah
lmao
also love how at the end of the vide he says he did a rush job, he couldve done better here n there, he this, he that… when in actuality he did nothing but watch…..
Stop acting like Apple Chris. give credit where credits due. lol
I directed! :O
I am filming a video Dad…Stop yelling…Your old man should have bopped you upside your head :p
You stoopid Chris thank you for posting this video :)
:)
Wow, that is really well done!
Mine would be Doctor Strange, by all means!
Byron Orpheus will do in a pinch.
(Go Team Venture)
I’m not a comic book guy, never been into them, but that’s still pretty cool looking, makes me want to get another case and some styles! Oh, and find a comic book shop!
Really Cool. I am definitely gonna give this a go on my GS3. Now just have to decide whether to make a Green Lantern or Wolverine case.
Marvel always wins. O_o
Hah love it
I am going to get my 12 year old daughter to do me nice case for my Note2. She loves to do stuff like this. Amazing idea Chris. Thanks for sharing .
Nice DIY case! Gonna give myself a try on it.
and upon the first snip of the comic a 1000 nerds screamed in horror
I use touchstones with cases. one on a touchpad with the HP cover and the other on a moded evo4g .. with the evo I put magnets in place of the metal discs for a stronger hold. but they charge fine
for abt usd35… you can get a personalised and factory made one… check out: http://www.popmycase.com/diy
Damn, pretty cool case. Wish I were artsy and handy enough to pull it off with ease. I’d make a WWE 13-themed case.
Just don’t take it out on a first date…
Will paper thickness be an issue? Like if I decide to print out an image on standard printer paper instead of using a comic book?
Can I use PVA glue instead of Modge Podge? I’m pretty sure you can’t buy it in England.
Thanks for this idea! I was going to order a custom case for my Dad for his new ipod we bought but I’ve had a lot of issues with UPS recently and wanted to avoid that. I ended up buying a clear case that snaps on like yours does so I think I’ll try this out!