Many people might brush off phone cases as just another cheap, widely available accessory. But even with all the budget-friendly, mass-produced options out there, there’s a solid market for unique, custom phone cases. If you’re considering an AI art side hustle, phone cases could be your thing.
In the print-on-demand world, it’s all about standing out with something different that resonates with a particular group or niche. Believe it or not, people are out there dropping $20, $30, or more on distinctive phone cases.
You should know that no one’s going to shell out good cash for a custom case if it’s just another run-of-the-mill design. They’re looking for something special, something that screams ‘personal style’.
Based on my research, while there’s a sea of art styles that could work for phone cases, there are sixteen in particular that stand out as hot sellers on platforms like Etsy and Amazon. Integrating your AI art into these styles could really boost your sales.
Note: the images below were created with Midjourney V6. The style of your phone case design will vary, depending on the ai art generator you use.
Wavy groovy pattern
Black and white
Vintage collage
Comic book
Vintage art
Diverse stickers design
Geometric pattern
Single color line art
Japanese anime
Simplistic botanical pattern
Kawaii pattern
Simple vector
Minimalist floral
Simple cartoon
Oil painting
Retro pattern
To conclude
One thing you must know is that going into the custom phone case business means getting serious about marketing. There’s a sea of affordable options out there, so standing out requires effort. If you’re aiming for a specific audience, you’re going to need to hustle.
This isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of side hustle. You’ve got to zero in on your audience, whether they’re scrolling through TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, or Pinterest, and hit them with content that resonates.
If marketing is not your thing, then this niche might not be for you.
If you’re new to this, starting in an established marketplace could be your best move. It’s less risky than launching your own site straight away, especially considering the costs involved. If things go well, you can then branch out with a dedicated website via WooCommerce, or Shopify.
But remember, success in this niche isn't just about the designs – it’s about relentless marketing.
So if you’re ready to put in the work, this could be a profitable ai side hustle.
Hi, I’m Blessing, a pro writer and graphic designer turned AI EXPERT! My passion is helping you unlock the full potential of AI tools to elevate your skills and create a successful side hustle or brand.
I skip the hype and focus on what truly works, bringing you the best tools to 10x your creativity.