Apart from the hideous Amazon leather case for my Kindle, which makes the device easier to hold. I don’t usually bother with protection of any kind. But if the sheer number of pitches I get for iPhone and iPod skins is an indicator, then they are certainly popular with the kids.

So for those who do use protection, these prophylactic stickers from iaPeel offer a notable twist on the tasteless swirly patterns that usually adorn these things: you can print your own nasty design onto the case before applying it to your iPod. The $21 kit comes with design software and five skins which can be run through a standard inkjet printer. A refill pack is available for $18. This means that you’re actually paying for software, the kind of nickel-and-dime move we despise.

The manufacturer says that this would make a great gift for “someone who’s just made the jump into the incredibly cool world of the iPhone.” We’d rather buy it ourselves, though, and make custom skins for our friends. The possibilities are endless: embarrassing baby photos. Embarrassing office party photos. Embarrassing shower… You get the point. Availabe now, for iPods Touch, Classic and Nano along with the “incredibly cool” iPhone.

Product page [iaPeel via Book of Joe]