UV Direct Printing, Sublimation Printing & What It Means for Your Case


A phone case today is more than just protection – it is a personal statement. Whether minimalist, playful, or artistic: The design often decides the purchase. But how does this design actually get onto the case?

In this article, we will show you how phone cases are professionally printed, which printing methods exist – and what they mean for quality, texture, and durability. Spoiler: At Glided, we rely on high-quality printing techniques for vibrant colors and long-lasting results.


🎨 Why the Print Is Crucial

The design of your phone case only works effectively if it is implemented in high quality. Poor prints fade quickly, are blurry, or may even chip off. Therefore, the choice of printing method is crucial for:

  • ✅ Color brilliance
  • ✅ Durability
  • ✅ Detail accuracy
  • ✅ Environmental friendliness

At Glided, we focus on modern, professional printing methods specifically designed for smartphone accessories.


☀️ UV Direct Printing – Precise, Durable, High Quality

UV printing (Ultraviolet printing) is one of the highest quality methods for directly printing phone cases. In this process, special UV ink is applied directly to the surface of the case and immediately cured with UV light.

Advantages of UV Printing:

  • ✔️ Direct printing of the case without additional films or coatings
  • ✔️ Immediate drying – no smudging, no waiting time
  • ✔️ Extremely durable – ideal for daily use
  • ✔️ Suitable for many materials: Plastic, polycarbonate, TPU, etc.
  • ✔️ Fine details & strong color contrasts

UV printing is used at Glided, for example, for many of our hard and tough cases. This creates designs that not only look good but also last long – without fading or wearing out.


🔥 Sublimation Printing – Color Intensive & Perfect for Certain Materials

Another common method is sublimation printing. Here, the design is first printed onto a special carrier film. Through heat and pressure, the color is then sublimated into the material of the case – permanently embedded.

Advantages of Sublimation Printing:

  • ✔️ Seamless design – especially good for cases with curves or full coverage
  • ✔️ Very vibrant colors & gradients possible
  • ✔️ No peeling, as the color penetrates the material
  • ✔️ Ideal for polyester-coated surfaces

At Glided, this method is specifically used for certain case types and materials, especially where the design should go "around the corner" or fully cover the surface.


💡 Which Printing Method is the Best?

This entirely depends on the material of the case, the design, and the desired look & feel. That’s why at Glided we don’t just rely on one technique, but choose the best process for each case type:

  • For precise details and high durability: UV printing
  • For full coverage colors and curved cases: sublimation printing

This ensures that your case not only looks good but also performs well in everyday use.


📱 At Glided: Design Meets Technology

We at Glided combine modern printing processes with creative, lovingly designed motifs – from playful designs like BearLove or Too Hot to minimalist motifs like Celestia or Aqua Shells.

What you get:

  • ✅ Brilliant colors & durable print
  • ✅ No mass-produced goods, but designs with character
  • ✅ Fair production in Europe
  • ✅ 1 € per order for sustainable projects

Conclusion: The Print Makes the Difference

Not every case with a design is automatically of high quality. The printing technique determines the look, durability, and quality. With UV direct printing and sublimation printing, we at Glided rely on processes that perfectly combine design and function.

👉 See for yourself: Phone cases with high-quality prints at glided.de