2D printing: The artwork sits on a flat surface. Think of a poster pasted on a wall. The color and image are applied to the back and edges when possible, but the case remains essentially a flat canvas. Techniques include direct-to-substrate UV printing, sublimation on coated cases, screen printing, and pad printing. Quick to learn, fast to produce in bulk, and great for bright photos and bold logos.

3D printing: The design is built to follow the shape of the phone. It can be printed as a solid object (FDM or SLA) or wrapped with patterns using methods like hydrographics (water transfer) or full-color 3D printing. This approach handles curves and textures, making the surface feel more integrated and unique, but it often costs more and takes longer.