Flip Mino lets you pick a look for your video camera

— -- I want it my way.

The Internet and advances in printing technology made it possible for consumers to design and order their own T-shirts, mugs, posters and books.

Tech giants Microsoft, Dell and Hewlett-Packard — even sneaker icon Keds — offer music players, shoes or computers with personally selected designs or colors.

Now you can personalize your video camera. This week, Pure Digital Technologies, which makes the popular Flip line of compact camcorders, unveiled a website (theflip.com) where you can design the case of its $179 Mino video camera.

The company offers more than 1,000 designs, as well as the ability to upload your own photos.

"This is a trend driven by young people not wanting to have the same thing as everyone else and manufacturers trying to put their own spin on that," says Ben Bajarin, an independent analyst at Creative Strategies.

That's why you see an explosion of multicolored and elaborately designed "skins" and cases at wireless-phone shops and Apple selling iPods in nine different colors.

Jonathan Kaplan, CEO of Pure Digital, says, "This generation wants to be famous, tell their story and be heard, change the color of their hair, wear tattoos and express themselves. It goes beyond the clothes and watch you wear and extends to the cellphone or camera you hold."

Kaplan says he got the idea for adding pictures and designs to the front of his cameras several years ago. He found a printer manufacturer last year in Japan willing to adapt its technology for the project.

For production, he partnered with CafePress, a website devoted to selling individually designed products — primarily T-shirts and coffee mugs.

"We're a destination for self-expression," says Amy Maniatis, vice president of marketing, calling CafePress a "me-tailer." The company has seen its sales increase 40% year to year.

"Skins were fun and a trend for the last few years, but they can get messy and peel off," Maniatis says. "We're printing directly on the camera. It's a high-gloss print, more strong and durable."