Yotsuba Printing Enhances Pre-Order Information for Custom Grip Cases: Clarifies Differences Among 3 Types, White Underprint, and File Submission Tips

Yotsuba Printing, an original goods manufacturing service operated by MAW Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture), has enhanced its pre-order information provision for users considering custom grip case production, effective July 15, 2026.

This initiative newly organizes essential information for product selection and design data creation—such as differences between Standard, Reflection, and Premium Color types; key points for confirming compatible iPhone models; creation methods for white underprint and transparent data; image resolution; safe zones; and print position variations—information that was previously difficult to convey in detail on product sales pages alone.

Additionally, supplementary material titled "How to Make and Choose a Custom Grip Case: Differences Between Standard, Clear, and Color Types, and File Submission Tips" has been published, allowing users to review this information before production.

Key Announcement Points

Expanded pre-purchase information for custom grip cases

Clarified differences and selection criteria among Standard, Reflection, and Premium Color types

Explained creation methods for white underprint and transparent data required for Reflection cases

Provided pre-submission checks: compatible models, camera cutouts, safe zones, image resolution

Published explanatory content summarizing production methods and usage tips as supplementary material

Separated roles between product sales pages and information pages to support pre-production decision-making

Background of the Initiative

Custom grip cases can be used not only as everyday smartphone cases but also as fan merchandise, pet photo goods ("uchi-no-ko" goods), gifts, doujin items, or products for creators and shops.

However, smartphone cases vary by iPhone model in terms of body size, camera cutout, button, speaker, and charging port positions. Even within the same series, case shapes differ between standard models, Pro, Pro Max, and Plus variants, requiring users to confirm the exact model name before ordering.

Grip cases come in three main types: Standard (white back), Reflection (clear back), and Premium Color (white back with selectable side colors). Each type affects how designs appear and how data must be prepared. Especially for Reflection cases, users must clearly separate the white underprint area from the transparent area during design creation.

Product sales pages, which focus on price, delivery time, and compatible models, are not well-suited for detailed explanations of such nuances as white underprint, transparency processing, safe zones, and image resolution.

In response, Yotsuba Printing has reorganized pre-order information to help users select the appropriate case type and prepare correct design files.

As part of this effort, explanatory content has been published as supplementary material to cover production methods, selection tips, comparison information, and file submission notes that cannot be fully conveyed on sales pages alone.

Key Information Newly Organized

Materials and structure of custom grip cases

How to confirm the official iPhone model name

Differences among Standard, Reflection, and Premium Color types

How back and side colors affect design appearance

Concept of white underprint layers required for Reflection cases

Methods for creating transparent data to preserve clear background areas

Cautions when using semi-transparent or blurred effects

Safe zones considering camera cutouts and case edges

Recommended image resolution for photos and illustrations

Outlining text when using Illustrator

Design methods considering print position variations

How to confirm model-specific accessories and specifications

This information enables users to select a case type that matches their desired design presentation and understand the data preparation requirements before submission.

It provides decision-making support based on user goals—such as clearly displaying photos or full illustrations without background interference, showing the smartphone’s body color through transparent areas, or matching the overall impression including side colors.

Features of Custom Grip Cases

Custom grip cases are original goods made by printing photos, illustrations, logos, text, and patterns onto iPhone cases composed of a rigid polycarbonate back and flexible TPU sides.

The sides feature an ergonomic, contoured shape that fits comfortably in the hand. The raised bezel around the screen helps prevent direct contact with surfaces when the phone is placed face down.

The back surface allows full-color printing via UV inkjet using CMYK output. Printing is applied only to the case surface, not the TPU sides.

Main case types are:

・Standard Type

Features a white back and black sides. Ideal for clearly displaying photos, illustrations, and full-coverage designs with minimal background interference.

・Reflection

Features a clear back and black sides. Allows the smartphone’s body color to show through transparent areas as part of the design. Requires a white underprint layer to define printed areas.

・Premium Color

Features a white back with side color options: light pink, pink, or white. Enables users to match the entire case’s impression, including side color, to their design.

Custom grip cases can be ordered individually (from 1 piece). Compatible iPhone models, available case types, colors, and accessories vary by product and model; please check the latest information on the order page.

Key Points to Know Before Production

1. Confirm the official iPhone model name

Smartphone cases differ by model in body size, camera cutout, buttons, speakers, and charging port positions. Even within the same iPhone series, standard, Pro, Pro Max, and Plus models have different case shapes.

It is crucial to confirm the exact model name via the device settings before ordering, especially when the case is for someone else or as a gift.

2. Choose case type based on desired design presentation

Standard and Premium Color types have white backs, allowing photos and illustrations to be displayed with minimal background influence.

Reflection has a clear back, enabling the smartphone’s color and transparent areas to become part of the design. However, users must clearly separate printed and non-printed (transparent) areas in the design file.

3. For Reflection, create separate white underprint and transparent areas

White underprint refers to a base layer of white ink printed beneath color inks to enhance color visibility. For Reflection cases, set white underprint on areas where the design should appear clearly, and ensure no ink is applied to areas meant to remain transparent.

When printing only characters or characters and leaving the surroundings transparent, use a transparent-background PNG or create separate layers in Illustrator to prevent ink from being applied to transparent areas.