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DiY for iPhone Black Grip Skin

September 26, 2008 by Jack Svetlana
Filed under Other Mobile

The slimmest of iPhone cases is still too thick to use with the dock, so I came up with this skin-tight wrap for the iPhone that has really great grip (my key reason for needing a case in the first place). I’m not worried about scratching the glass, but the slippery sides cause fear of dropping it. Otherwise, I want to be true to the sleek, thin form factor, and even enhance the illusion by going matte black. Just download the template here, and then just follow these simple instructions.

Here’s the materials you’ll need:

Pencil (Not Pictured)

Push Pin

X-Acto Knife

Hole Punch

Gaffer’s Tape

My template

Straight-Edge Ruler

Non-Stick Cutting Surface

Sandwich (Optional)
1.Lay a length of Gaffer’s Tape down on your non-stick cutting surface. Mark out 4 centimeters with your ruler and trim. It’s important that you not use another kind of tape. Gaffer’s tape is cloth, giving the best grip, and the glue used does not leave behind the residue you would get with other tapes (especially duct tape).

Trim from both sides; the edge of the tape is too ragged for a clean fit.

2.Repeat with a second piece, and then butt the two strips up perfectly on your non-stick cutting surface.

3.Print out the template and align it directly over

your tape strips. Then press firmly with the push pin on all the corners of the outline.

4. Connect the dots with a pencil and ruler.

Trim along the outlines with your X-Acto and ruler.

6.Use the hole punch for the camera lens

7….And punch a half circle for the audio jack

8.Now take the left strip and line it up exactly along the mirror edge of the iPhone; right on the corner where it starts to curve, leaving the mirror trim on the front exposed.

9. With your thumbnail, tightly press down the wrap until any bubbles are worked out. The right edge should be in the dead center of the phone’s back. Then stick down the tabs. Gaffer’s Tape is fabric, so it stretches. You can stretch the tab for a seamless corner.

10. Now take the second piece and butt it up exactly with the edge of the first piece. This might take a couple of tries to get a seamless fit.

If you did it right, the right piece will wrap around the side for a flush fit with the face of the phone and you’re done! You’ve got a stealthy, ninja-like, skin-tight grip for your iPhone.