• 1). Research ideas including colors, themes, materials or motifs you might wish to incorporate. If it is a hard shell case, you will have more options in terms of decorative materials and labeling than if your case is constructed of fabric.
  
  
• 2). Establish the end purpose or objective of personalizing your instrument case, whether to identify it in a crowd at the airport or identify your personality as you carry it from rehearsal to rehearsal. If professionalism is a concern, tone down the color and design elements and opt for a more clean, distinguished look. Your design can be something as simple as a personalized label to stick on the case, or you can fashion it into a complete work of art.
  
  
• 3). Write a list of any materials you may need. Include any items that you may require while decorating your musical instrument case, such as adhesive, cleaner or cloth that may be helpful in the process.
  
  

Choose materials and methods

• 1). Select the decorative materials or items necessary to personalize your instrument's case and again, pay special attention to the material that you will be applying them to and the methods you will use. Choose materials that will easily apply to the outside of the case; for example, you cannot apply certain paints to fabric.
  
  
• 2). Purchase your desired materials at a craft or art store, where you can usually find the best deals. You probably won't need a large amount of the materials, unless your instrument case is that of an upright bass; even then, a small amount of paint, labels, adhesive or any chosen supply should suffice.
  
  
• 3). Ensure that the case is clean and mend any blemishes in the covering material. Prepare the surface of your case as necessary with paint primers, adhesive bases or clear space on which to apply a label.
  
  
• 4). Apply labels or paint following the manufacturer's instructions. You can apply paint using different techniques using tools, colors, or stencils. Once you've finished and the paint has dried if you used any, apply a durable finish to the case to protect it. This may involve encasing labels, water repellent or resistant spray, or a protective sealant.