Crumpled graph paper

Printable Paper Based Raspberry Pi Cases

  • Adam Douglas

An old Raspberry Pi 2 Model B board has been sitting around for quite some time not being used. You see, years ago I bought three Raspberry Pi 2 Model B boards for my children to play around with and make their own cases. Unfortunately that didn’t pan out. To make use of one of these boards, I connected a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor, but it bothers me that the device doesn’t have a case to protect it. I’ve tried searching for a case to purchase for quite some time only ending up walking away in frustration. In fairness the Raspberry Pi board was released in 2015, so it is quite old and understandable.

I decided the best solution is to go find a printable case using paper or cardboard using my computer printer. I would love to 3D print one, however that is not an option for me at this time. Here are some solutions I was able to locate.

Printing Tips

Make sure when printing that the print settings are not altering the intended design. On my system I made the following changes.

  • Page Setup > Scale: 100%
  • Page Handling > Page Scaling: None
    • Auto Rotate and Center: Unchecked
    • Select page size using document page size: Unchecked

Creative Cat Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • GPIO Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF
  • Template Page Size: ISO A4
  • Author: Unknown
  • Source: Creative Cat Blog (Russian, English)

An affective case that is available in 3 designs, pink, white and textured. Every major port is easily accessible without having to open the case. The CSI (camera serial interface), DSI (display serial interface) or GPIO is indirectly accessible by opening the side flap and would require it being left open while in use, unless you made your own alternations to the case.

Yet Another Paper Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model A/B
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • GPIO Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: SVG
  • Author: Peter Vojtek
  • Source: Remarks from DIY projects

This is quite an interesting and unique case design with the Raspberry Pi logo on top. Plenty of passive ventilation holes and provides access to every port. The only parts not accessible with ease is the CSI, DSI and GPIO (general purpose input/output). One maybe able to make it work, but wouldn’t appear to be ideal. Being that the template is provided in an SVG format, it does allow one to alter the design freely as desired.

Punnet Mk1 Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model B
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • GPIO Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF
  • Template Page Size: ISO A4
  • Author: Ian McPhee
  • Source: Punnet Mk1 case (pdf)

One of the simpler designs that I was unfortunately unable to locate from the original source due to broken links. Thankfully I was able to locate a copy of it. The top flap can be left open to allow for access to the CSI, DSI and GPIO connections. A circle opening on the top may provide additional access.

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model B
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • GPIO Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF, Visio
  • Template Page Size: 216 mm x 279 mm (8.5” x 11”)
  • Author: Andrew Klopper
  • Source: Printable case based on an actual Pi

This is a modified version of the Punnet Mk1 case that apparently fits the actual measurements of the device.

Kraft Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi 2
  • CSI Access: Yes
  • DSI Access: Yes
  • GPIO Access: Yes
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: DXF
  • Author: Seeed Studio
  • Source: Raspberry Pi 2 Kraft Case

This particular one is more of a brace or pad for the Raspberry Pi and a power bank than a case. The case is intended to be used with a bracket. The entire board is accessible including all ports and connections. Protecting the board is not the focus on this case. It is unfortunate that the template is only available in DXF file format.

Compact Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model B+
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • GPIO Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: DWG, DXF, PDF
  • Template Page Size: 216 mm x 279 mm (8.5” x 11”)
  • Author: quantumSequoia
  • Source: Raspberry Pi Model B+ Paper Case

Out of all the cases this has to be the most compact design I’ve been able to find. It is so compact that the USB and ethernet ports protrude beyond the height of the case. The original source appears to be on the Raspberry Pi forums at B+ case made out of paper or card! Inspired by Punnet by quantumSequoia. Based on what I can see the CSI, DSI and GPIO will not be accessible at all without removing the case. Though one does have the freedom to alter the schematics provided.

Engineered Cardboard Case

This is an amazingly engineered case created in cardboard by an engineer. This template and design is a lot more involved and not just a simple print, cut and build. However, there is step-by-step videos available to guide you along the build process and diagram of dimensions (PDF). As an advantage though I feel due to the approach of how this case is to be built, one could easily modify the design to work with newer models of a Raspberry Pi.

Glueless Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model B, Raspberry Pi 2 B
  • CSI Access: Yes
  • DSI Access: Yes
  • GPIO Access: Yes
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF, SVG
  • Template Page Size: ISO A4, 216 mm x 279 mm (8.5” x 11”)
  • Author: Unknown
  • Source: Glueless Raspberry Pi Case

The design of this case is more of box than a case that fully protects the board. The focus is to keep it simple without the use of any adhesive. The case does not have a cover to protect the top of the device.

Raspberry-pi-case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model A, Raspberry Pi Model B, Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
  • GPIO Access: No
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF, studio
  • Template Page Size: 216 mm x 279 mm (8.5” x 11”)
  • Author: Alton Jensen
  • Source: Raspberry-pi-case

Though a very old design now it is still nice to see a simple 4 square ventilation holes on the top of the case for aesthetic reason. I do also find that this case has an advantage since it provides the Silhouette Cameo files. Though I have no idea if these files would still work with the more modern Silhouette Cameo products available today.

Raspberry-pi-2-blus-paper-case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi B+, Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
  • GPIO Access: No
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF
  • Template Page Size: 216 mm x 279 mm (8.5” x 11”)
  • Author: Ömer Tunç
  • Source: omer-tunc-raspberry-pi-2-blus-paper-case (archive)

Very similar case to the Punnet Mk1 with some added instructions written in Turkish and a Raspberry Pi logo on top of the case. The source linked here is an archive by Arda Kılıçdağı that provides steps in English along with some visual photos of the process.

Dummies Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Model B+, Raspberry Pi 2, Raspberry Pi 3
  • GPIO Access: No
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: No
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF
  • Template Page Size: ISO A4, 216 mm x 279 mm (8.5” x 11”)
  • Author: Sean McManus, Mike Cook
  • Source: Download a free Raspberry Pi paper case template

An altered case of the Punnet Mk1 for the Raspberry Pi for Dummies book. This case comes in three different editions, branded, lightly branded and old branded. Indirect access to CSI, DSI and GPIO connections is available by opening the top flap.

Dashi Cardboard Cases

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • GPIO Access: No
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: n/a
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF
  • Template Page Size: ISO A4
  • Author: Dashi Ltd.
  • Source: Cardboard Raspberry Pi Cases

These unique case designs are intended to be used with a Raspberry Pi Zero W along with either Speaker Phat or Adafruit 128×64 OLED. The detailed instructions are beautifully done, so much so that they even provide a scale check to ensure the case is printed properly.

Marutan Case

  • Model Support: Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • GPIO Access: No
  • CSI Access: No
  • DSI Access: n/a
  • Memory Card Access: Yes
  • Template Format: PDF, SVG
  • Template Page Size: ISO A4
  • Author: Peter Howkins
  • Source: Raspberry Pi Cardboard Cases

The case allows for GPIO headers to be fitted and provides a flap for indirect access to the GPIO. Two editions of the case are available, plain box case and a BBC Micro style. It is recommended to fasten the board to the case.

For reference this Raspberry Pi Mounting Hole Template (A4 PDF) by Matt Hawkins may come in handy. Just because the case is paper or cardboard doesn’t mean you cannot mount it (smile).

This is post 22 of 100, and is round 2 of the 100 Days To Offload challenge.

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