The standard printable Switch spine size
For a standard Nintendo Switch physical game case, make custom spine artwork 10 mm wide by 161 mm tall. In inches, that is approximately 0.394 in by 6.339 in. These dimensions describe the visible narrow edge of the wrap. Leave a small amount of bleed when you print, then trim carefully to the final size.
For a high-resolution PNG export at 300 dpi, use 118 by 1902 pixels. This preserves the correct 1:16.1 portrait proportion. SVG is also excellent because vector artwork remains sharp at print size. A printable starter SVG is available below and works as a reference for your own design or a test strip.
Switch, PS5, and Xbox case spine comparison
| Case type | Typical spine width | Typical spine height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | 10 mm / 0.394 in | 161 mm / 6.339 in | Compact red case; use this site's templates. |
| PlayStation 5 | About 14 mm / 0.55 in | About 170 mm / 6.69 in | Taller blue-edged case; verify your specific edition. |
| Xbox Series X|S | About 14 mm / 0.55 in | About 171 mm / 6.73 in | Green case proportions vary slightly by region. |
These console comparisons are a practical reference, not an instruction to reuse a Switch template on another case. Switch artwork is deliberately much narrower. If you collect multiple platforms, keep separate source files for each case type and measure a real case before committing to a large print run.
Printable template instructions
Download starter.svg and open it in a modern browser, a vector app, or a print dialog that supports SVG. Keep its 10 mm by 161 mm document size unchanged. If you add a background, let it extend a fraction beyond the final edge as bleed; trim it back after printing. Keep important title text inside the safe area so a tiny cutting variation does not remove part of a letter.
When printing, choose Actual Size, 100%, or no scaling. Do not choose Fit to Printable Area, Fit to Page, or a similar automatic adjustment. Center the design on A4 or Letter paper rather than placing it at the page edge, where a printer margin can clip it. Measure the test print with a ruler before making final copies. If the result is not 10 mm wide and 161 mm tall, correct the print scaling rather than stretching the SVG.
Why precise dimensions matter
A difference of even 1 mm is noticeable on a Switch case. A strip that is too wide can bunch beneath the clear sleeve, create an uneven edge, or make the case harder to close smoothly. A strip that is too narrow can expose the original red spine or leave the design looking off-center. A height error can create a blank gap at the top or bottom that is very visible when several cases are lined up together.
Printers can introduce small changes when they quietly shrink an image to fit the printable area. This is why a plain-paper test is not optional when you care about a clean result. Measure both the width and height, compare the test against the case, and only then print on better stock. Careful scale and trimming give the most polished shelf result, even with a simple home printer.
Print settings that preserve the measurement
Set scaling to 100%, Actual Size, or None. Keep the source proportion locked. Printers have margins, so center the artwork on the sheet. A quick test lets you measure the result before using better stock. If your result is only slightly wide, trim a hair from one side; if it is short or significantly narrow, re-check the print dialog and source size.
When you are ready, follow the print and application guide, browse free custom Switch spines, or create a unique design in the generator.