Okay, here’s my blog post about making a phone case with a built-in screen protector, written in a casual, personal style:
So, I’ve been seeing these phone cases with built-in screen protectors popping up everywhere, and I thought, “Hey, I could probably make one of those myself!” I’m always up for a little DIY project, especially if it saves me some money. Plus, I’m kinda clumsy, so my phone needs all the protection it can get.
First, I gathered my materials. I already had an old, clear phone case lying around – the flexible, rubbery kind. You know, the ones that are super easy to get on and off. For the screen protector part, I grabbed a spare plastic screen protector – the cheap kind you can buy in a multi-pack. I figured if I messed up, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
The Process
- Cleaning:
I started by cleaning both the phone case and the screen protector REALLY well. Any dust or lint would be trapped forever, and that would drive me nuts. I used some rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to make sure everything was spotless.
- Trimming (The Scary Part):
This was the trickiest part. I laid the screen protector over the front of the phone case and used a marker to trace the outline of where I wanted it to sit. Then, I took a deep breath and used a sharp craft knife to carefully cut the screen protector along the lines. I went slow and made sure to cut just inside the lines so the protector would fit snugly within the case.
- Attaching is a challenge:
I lined it up PERFECTLY with the edges of the case (this took a few tries, not gonna lie). Then, I pressed down firmly, starting from the center and working my way out to the edges, to smooth out any air bubbles.
I made a mistake here, I should have used glue in the first place!
- Fix and improve!
Add some glue and stick them firmly.
It’s not perfect, of course. There are a couple of tiny bubbles I couldn’t quite get rid of, and the edges of the screen protector aren’t exactly flush with the case. But honestly, for a first attempt, I’m pretty happy with it! It feels solid, and I’m confident it’ll protect my phone screen from scratches and minor drops. Plus, I saved myself like $20, which is always a win.
If you’re looking for a fun little project, and you’re not afraid of a little bit of trial and error, I’d say give this a try! Just remember to be patient, take your time, and have a spare screen protector or two on hand… just in case. 😉