Ordering a custom acrylic display case is one of the best ways to protect and show off a collectible, model, figure, trophy, keepsake, or display piece. Whether you need a case for a trading card product, a figure, a model, or a one-of-a-kind collectible, getting the measurements right is the most important step.
At Aegis Acrylic, we make acrylic case options for collectors who want their items protected while still keeping them visible and display-ready. A well-measured custom acrylic case should fit cleanly, give your collectible enough room, and help the item look intentional on a shelf, desk, or display area.
A case that is too tight can press against the item, make assembly difficult, or leave no room for small details that stick out. A case that is too large can make the item look lost inside the display. The goal is to measure your collectible accurately, then add just enough clearance so the finished acrylic case looks clean, balanced, and protective.
This guide will walk you through how to measure for a custom acrylic case so you can order with confidence.
Start With the Item You Want to Display
Before measuring, place your item on a flat surface and look at it from every side. Many collectibles are not perfect rectangles. Some have raised details, curved edges, handles, stands, loose pieces, or parts that extend beyond the main body.
Do not measure only the “main” part of the item. You want to measure the widest, tallest, and deepest points of the entire piece.
For example, if you are measuring a model stadium, the roof, light posts, base, or decorative trim may stick out farther than the field itself. If you are measuring a figure, the pose, weapon, base, or packaging may increase the overall size.
If you are measuring for a Pokémon acrylic case, make sure you measure the full sealed product, not just the printed front panel. Pokémon booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes, booster bundles, and specialty boxes can all have different depths, heights, and packaging edges that need to be included.
When in doubt, measure the full outer footprint of the item.
The Three Measurements You Need
For most custom acrylic display cases, you will need three measurements:
Width — side to side
Depth — front to back
Height — bottom to top
A simple way to remember this is:
Width is how wide the item is when looking at it from the front.
Depth is how far back the item goes.
Height is how tall the item is.
If your item is square, the width and depth may be the same. If your item is rectangular, one side will usually be longer than the other.
These three numbers are what help determine the correct inside dimensions for your custom acrylic case.
Measure Width
To measure width, place your item in the position you want it displayed. Then measure from the farthest left point to the farthest right point.
Make sure you include anything that sticks out on the sides. This could include handles, trim, corners, stands, packaging, or decorative parts.
If the item is not perfectly straight, use the largest measurement you can find. It is better to have a little extra room than to have the acrylic press against the collectible.
For a Pokémon acrylic case, width is especially important because sealed boxes often have slight packaging variation. Even a small difference can affect how cleanly the item sits inside the case.
Measure Depth
Depth is measured from the very front of the item to the very back.
This is the measurement people often mix up with width. A good way to think about it is this: if the item was sitting on a shelf, depth is how far it sticks out from the wall.
For boxes, collectibles, models, and figures, make sure you include the full front-to-back size. If the front has a raised logo, window, handle, or curved edge, include that too.
Depth matters a lot when ordering an acrylic case because a case that is too shallow may not close or sit correctly around the item.
Measure Height
Height is measured from the lowest point of the item to the highest point.
If the item sits on a base, include the base in your measurement. If it has raised pieces, antennas, signs, lights, or decorative parts, measure all the way to the top of the tallest point.
For collectibles that are already inside packaging, measure the full outside of the packaging, not just the item inside.
For sealed Pokémon products, always measure the full packaging height. A Pokémon acrylic case should protect the entire box, including the top edges and any packaging details that extend slightly beyond the main panel.
Add Clearance Around the Item
Once you have the exact measurements of your item, you should add a small amount of extra space. This is called clearance.
Clearance helps make sure the item fits comfortably inside the case. It also makes the display look cleaner and prevents the acrylic from touching or rubbing against the item.
For most collectibles, we recommend adding at least:
1/8 inch to 1/4 inch of clearance on the width and depth
1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of clearance on the height
If your item is fragile, oddly shaped, or has parts that stick out, adding a little more clearance is usually a good idea.
For example, if your item measures:
Width: 9.5 inches
Depth: 9.5 inches
Height: 6 inches
A good custom acrylic case size may be around:
Width: 9.75 to 10 inches
Depth: 9.75 to 10 inches
Height: 6.25 to 6.5 inches
This gives the item room to sit inside the acrylic case without feeling cramped.
Remember: Inside Dimensions Matter
When ordering a custom acrylic display case, the most important numbers are usually the inside dimensions.
The inside dimensions are the usable space inside the case where your item will sit. This is different from the outside dimensions, which include the thickness of the acrylic itself.
If your collectible is 10 inches wide, a case with a 10-inch outside width may not give you 10 inches of usable space inside. The acrylic takes up room.
That is why you should always measure your item first, add your desired clearance, and use that final number as the inside size you need.
At Aegis Acrylic, this is especially important for custom acrylic case orders because the final fit depends on the measurements provided. The better the measurements, the better the finished display will look.
Measure the Base Separately if Needed
Some display cases sit directly over the collectible, while others may include or sit on a base. If your item already has a base, include it in your measurements.
If you want extra room around the base for a cleaner display, add clearance to the width and depth.
If you plan to add lighting, foam, risers, nameplates, or other display accessories inside the case, make sure you include room for those as well. These small additions can change the size you need.
A custom acrylic case gives you more flexibility than a standard-size case, but it still needs accurate measurements to fit the way you want.
Tips for Measuring Irregular Items
Some items are harder to measure than a simple box. If your collectible has an unusual shape, use these tips:
Place the item on a piece of paper and lightly mark the farthest points on each side. Then measure between the marks.
Use a ruler, tape measure, or calipers if you have them.
Measure more than once to make sure your numbers are accurate.
Round up slightly instead of rounding down.
Take photos from the front, side, and top if you need help explaining the shape.
For custom cases, it is always better to provide a little too much information than not enough.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is measuring only the front of the item and forgetting the depth. Width and depth are both important, especially for collectibles that sit on a shelf or table.
Another mistake is measuring the item exactly and not adding clearance. A perfect measurement may sound good, but acrylic cases need a little breathing room.
It is also easy to forget about pieces that stick out. Small details like corners, handles, labels, raised logos, and bases can affect the final fit.
Finally, make sure you are using the same unit of measurement throughout the order. If you start in inches, keep everything in inches. If you measure in millimeters, keep everything in millimeters.
A Simple Measuring Checklist
Before ordering your custom acrylic case, write down:
Item width
Item depth
Item height
Desired clearance
Whether the item has a base
Whether anything sticks out
Whether you need room for lights, risers, or accessories
Once you have those details, you will have a much better idea of what size acrylic case you need.
Final Thoughts
A custom acrylic display case should protect your collectible while making it look even better on display. The best way to get a clean fit is to measure the full outside of your item, add a small amount of clearance, and make sure your final size is based on the inside space you need.
Whether you are measuring for a Pokémon acrylic case, a figure display, a model, a trophy, a keepsake, or another collectible, careful measurements help create a case that looks intentional, professional, and made for the piece.
At Aegis Acrylic, our goal is to make acrylic case options that help collectors protect what matters without hiding it away. Taking a few extra minutes to measure correctly can make a big difference in how your final display looks.
Need a case made for something unique? Visit our custom acrylic case page and enter your measurements to get started.